Author: Chandra Moulee Das
Lightweight – Dustin Poirier (USA) – Justin Gaethje (USA)
Gaethje Knocks Poirier Out#ufc #PoirierGaethje pic.twitter.com/k5FhlBtadw
– RealMaskedMan (@InstaStr8) July 30, 2023
The UFC once again presented a spectacular Pay-Per-View event on Saturday night, this time in Salt Lake City for UFC 291. The event exceeded all expectations with its promise of intense action and violence. In the main event, Justin Gaethje secured the ceremonial BMF title with a thunderous head-kick knockout of Dustin Poirier, providing a thrilling conclusion to an extraordinary night of fights.
Of the 11 fights on the card, only two went to the judges’ scorecards, highlighting the fighters’ determination to finish their opponents decisively. Gaethje’s victory was particularly special as it avenged his previous defeat to Poirier in a violent clash five years ago. With this impressive win, Gaethje solidified his position to compete once again for the lightweight title, setting the stage for a possible future challenge against the winner of the next fight between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira, scheduled for October.
Middleweight fight – Jan Błachowicz (Poland) vs. Alex Pereira (Brazil)
Alex is held up against the cage for about 20 more seconds
Alex breaks the body clinch
Jan Błachowicz is tired.
Pereira landed some nice knees
Against the cage Alex goes off he lands some big strikes
Alex Wins Round 2 19-19 pic.twitter.com/WuUdFah7dS
– 𝒮𝓀𝓎𝓁𝑜(83 DAYS UNTIL CHARLES FINISHES ISLAM) (@YT_SKYLO1) July 30, 2023
In the co-main event of the evening, Alex Pereira made a successful debut in the middleweight division, but not without some controversy. He won by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) against Jan Blachowicz, positioning himself as a contender for the vacant 205-pound title.
Jan Błachowicz stays on the back of Pereira
Pereira still defending the submission
Jan is fully on the back of Pereira still threatening the sub
Jan did a great job controlling Alex Pereira, held up great on the ground
Jan still in control. pic.twitter.com/Pf4Gp34h7H
– 𝒮𝓀𝓎𝓁𝑜(83 DAYS UNTIL CHARLES FINISHES ISLAM) (@YT_SKYLO1) July 30, 2023
After withstanding the dominant control of Blachowicz (a former lightweight champion) on the ground throughout the first round, Pereira was successful in the second round, when the Polish veteran attempted a takedown in the center of the cage. Showing his agility, Pereira quickly got back to his feet and landed a series of powerful kicks on his opponent.
ALEX PEREIRA DEFEATS JAN BLACHOWICZ BY SPLIT DECISION 👀#UFC291 LIVE on ESPN+ PPV pic.twitter.com/fJcxD3zoKg
– ESPN (@espn) July 30, 2023
Although Blachowicz had some noteworthy moments in the third round, Pereira seemed to be the more energetic and precise fighter, evidently doing enough to secure the victory.