UFC President Dana White announced that Dustin Poirier will make his return inside the octagon against Justin Gaethje in a rematch at UFC 291. This highly anticipated lightweight matchup is all set to go down at the Salt Lake City Stadium in Utah on July 29th. What’s more exciting about this announcement is the fact that it is a five-round matchup and Poirier vs Gaethje 2 will headline the PPV.
Good Morning Fight Fans!!#UFC291
🤬 @DustinPoirier vs @Justin_Gaethje for the BMF Belt!!
🔥 @JanBlachowicz vs @AlexPereiraUFC☘️ #UFC292
🏆 @FunkmasterMMA vs @SugaSeanMMA
🏆 @MmaWeili vs @AamandaLemossAND MORE!!! pic.twitter.com/BoS4VjL1BP
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 17, 2023
Besides, Dana had another surprise in store for fight fans as this matchup will be contested for the BMF championship. This is big news as Jorge Masvidal who was the previous holder of this prestigious title vacated the belt after announcing his retirement at UFC 287.
Dana White believes that Poirier vs Gaethje 2 is the perfect fight for the BMF title
As mentioned earlier, the UFC 291 main event between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje has become a lot more special with the news of the BMF title being on the line. This will be the second time that this special title will be up for grabs as Jorge Masvidal didn’t defend his belt against anyone after winning it against Nate Diaz in 2019 at UFC 244.
Following the conclusion of UFC Vegas 73, Dana White sat down for a post-fight press conference. While having a conversation, the UFC President expressed his excitement over booking Poirier vs Gaethje 2. “[It was] war room s***. Every Tuesday we’re in there, and as we were putting that card together for Utah, we thought that Poirier and Gaethje is such an awesome fight. Masvidal retired, so we put the BMF [title on the line].”
UFC President Dana White believes that Poirier vs Gaethje 2 is the perfect fight for the BMF title
During the UFC Vegas post-fight press conference, Dana White also confirmed that the promotion will be featuring more fights where the BMF title will be on the line as it is fun to watch. Later in the interview, the UFC President also said that Poirier vs Gaethje 2 is the perfect matchup for the vacant BMF title.
Dustin Poirier will face Justin Gaethje for the vacant BMF title on July 29 at UFC 291 in Salt Lake City, UFC announced Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/wuwPS9iavR
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 16, 2023
“You have no idea how many of these fighters want to fight for the BMF title,” White explained. They all want to fight for that belt. It’s fun, it’s different, so we’ll do it again. When you think about doing it in the first place, [Masvidal and Diaz] were the two right guys, and so are these — these are the two right guys [for the second BMF title fight]. Whether that thing is in play, or not in play, that fight is what it is. Everybody wants that belt, so what the hell?”
The UFC has made the right choice by putting the title on the line for the Poirier vs Gaethje 2 fight. Because their first matchup was unarguably one of the greatest fights in the history of combat sports. One can expect more fireworks as both these fighters have developed their skillset and are fearless to go forward and attack.
Do let us know in the comments section your predictions for this five-round main event bout between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.
