UFC 291: What happened the first time Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje fought? [FREE FIGHT]
By Anwesha Nag
UFC lightweight centerpieces Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje are set to lock horns at UFC 291 in a rematch of their 2018 clash. The BMF title, previously owned by Jorge Masvidal, will be on the line for the fight.
The MMA fight will go down on Saturday, July 29 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The symbolic BMF belt is an attempt on UFC's part to honor the most exciting fighters on the roster, who give their all inside the cage to put up a masterpiece of a fight.
With Masvidal retired and Nate Diaz gone, there is perhaps no other set of fighters best fit to fight for the belt than Poirier and Gaethje, if their first fight is anything to go by.
Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 1: How did it go down?
Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje faced each other for the first time on April 14, 2018, at UFC Milwaukee as the main event of the night. Even though only one emerged as the winner, as it must, the two were equally hailed for delivering a barnburner inside the octagon.
The bout started off with Poirier showing off his exceptional boxing, going for his opponent's head and body constantly. Gaethje, on the other hand, landed a number of his trademark kicks,
When Dustin Poirier earned Fight of the Night against Justin Gaethje 🔥 The Diamond takes on Michael Chandler this Saturday at #UFC281!
Posted by UFC on Monday, November 7, 2022
Poirier went for a takedown after a brief halt in action due to an eye-poke by Gaethje. However, the latter's elite wrestling pedigree held up to the test. Their stand-up battled waged on.
Round 3 saw Gaethje pile on the leg kicks, visibly damaging Poirier's lead right leg. He then went on to land a flurry of punches on Poirier, seemingly trying to secure a finish but ended up eye-poking his rival again.
Referee Herb Dean had to take a point away from Gaethje for the repeat offense. At the end of the round, the lightweight claimed that he suffered an eye poke back, and proceeded to blame the UFC gloves for it.
Round 4 ultimately saw Poirier's striking prowess reap its benefits early on, as the Louisiana native rocked Gaethje with a huge left hand followed by a barrage of punches. Herb Dean stepped in at the 0:33 mark of the round. Poirier was announced the victor via fourth-round TKO.
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