UFC 291: Justin Gaethje KOs Dustin Poirier with stunning head kick to win BMF belt in main event clash
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Updated 30/07/2023 at 08:33 GMT+1
Justin Gaethje may have earned himself a shot at the UFC lightweight title after an impressive knockout win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 in Salt Lake City. In the long-awaited rematch of the classic 2018 encounter, Gaethje exacted revenge on his rival in style with a brutal head kick to end the fight a minute into the second round on Saturday night.
'It doesn't get any better than that' - Gaethje knocks Poirier out with head kick!
Justin Gaethje knocked out Dustin Poirier with a devastating head kick in the second round to win their lightweight clash at UFC 291.
The co-main event of the card at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City lived up to the billing as the two fighters traded early blows in the opening round.
However, one minute into the second, Gaethje launched an explosive standing right-footed kick to the side of Poirier’s head, dropping his opponent to the canvas instantly.
It proved sweet revenge for Gaethje having previously lost to Poirier in 2018.
Victory saw Gaethje claim the symbolic BMF title and puts him in prime position for a shot at the lightweight crown.
The 34-year-old will likely face the winner of October’s UFC 294 main event where champion Islam Makhachev defends the belt against Charles Oliveira.
"I want to fight for the world championship," he said in his post-fight interview. "These guys are fighting in October and I want to prove I'm the best in the world.
"Win, lose or draw, max effort is what you're going to get out of me."
Gaethje now moves to 25-4, while Poirier slips to 29-8-1 having lost two of his last three fights.
In the co-main event, Alex Pereira beat Jan Blachowicz by split decision.
UFC 291: Full Results
- Justin Gaethje defeats Dustin Poirier by KO
- Alex Pereira defeats Jan Blachowicz by split decision
- Derrick Lewis defeats Marcos Rogerio de Lima by TKO
- Bobby Green defeats Tony Ferguson by technical submission
- Kevin Holland defeats Michael Chiesa by submission
- Gabriel Bonfim def. Trevin Giles by submission
- CJ Vergara defeats Vinicius Salvador by unanimous decision
- Roman Kopylov defeats Claudio Ribeiro by KO
- Jake Matthews defeats Darrius Flowers by submission
- Uros Medic defeats Matthew Semelsberger by TKO
- Miranda Maverick defeats Priscila Cachoeira by submission
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