Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje say they have evolved since the first time they clashed in the Octagon five years ago, and those changes will be evident on Saturday when they meet again in the main event of UFC 291. Their five-round battle will anchor the main UFC 291 fight card from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The winner is likely headed to a third lightweight title shot after both fighters have come up short in two prior bids. The No. 2-ranked Poirier and No. 3-ranked Gaethje told the media this week they have developed technically and mentally since their first fight, an action-packed classic that Poirier won by fourth-round stoppage in April 2018.
Poirier is a -150 favorite (risk $150 to win $100), while Gaethje is priced at +130 in the latest UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 odds from Caesars Sportsbook. In the co-main event, Alex Pereira (-115) meets Jan Blachowicz (-105) in a battle of light heavyweight contenders. Before locking in any picks UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 picks, make sure you check out the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine combat expert Daniel Vithlani.
Vithlani is a highly analytical UFC bettor who profited more than $6,200 for $100 bettors in 2022. This includes a documented 24-14 record on his well-respected, two-leg parlays. Every pick was documented on his public Instagram account.
From breaking down film and following fighters and their camps closely, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the breadth of the MMA betting landscape top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and speaks regularly with MMA fighters to understand the sport's nuances.
In his SportsLine debut for UFC 283 in January, Vithlani swept the main card and his ledger included advising SportsLine members to support Jamahal Hill (-125) against Glover Teixeira (+105) for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event. Anyone who has followed him has seen massive returns.
Now, with UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 in sight, Vithlani has scoured the UFC 291 card from top to bottom and released his top selections. You can see those picks at SportsLine.
UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 preview
Poirier and Gaethje are among the most recognizable names in the sport, and their fights are widely considered must-see affairs among MMA observers. They have had similar career trajectories and share similar fighting styles that involve a willingness to take damage to inflict some on their opponents. What's more, both 34-year-old fighters have lost their two title shots to the same opponents, former champions Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. The winner of Saturday's main event is practically assured of a third crack at the coveted belt.
Poirier (29-7-1) was last seen submitting former Bellator standout Michael Chandler in the third round of their wild fight at UFC 281 that earned Fight of the Night honors and was given consideration for Fight of the Year by numerous media outlets. Porier is also known for knocking out former two-division champion Conor McGregor twice in a six-month span in 2021.
Gaethje (24-4) is the former World Series of Fighting champion who made his much-anticipated UFC debut in July 2017 and knocked out journeyman Michael Johnson. In just his third UFC outing, Gaethje was given a litmus test in a matchup with Poirier and they produced a memorable brawl. Both fighters had their moments, but Poirier landed a flurry early in the fourth to which Gaethje couldn't respond and the fight was stopped.
Most MMA observers believed a rematch was inevitable and likely would have occurred before now. But somehow the rematch was never made despite the two combatants circling each other in the top-five lightweight rankings for the past five-plus years while both earned their pair of title shots.
Poirier is generally seen as more well-rounded, as he has eight submissions to go along with 14 knockouts. Gaethje is still widely perceived as a barroom brawler in a UFC uniform and has 19 knockouts among his 24 professional victories. But a little more attention to fundamentals and defense has helped Gaethje in recent bouts, including his majority decision over rising contender Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286 in March. You can see who Vithlani is backing at SportsLine.
UFC 291 predictions
We'll reveal one of Vithlani's UFC 291 selections here: He is siding with Tony Ferguson (+310) to spring the massive upset of Bobby Green (-400) in a lightweight matchup.
Ferguson (25-8) is an 11-year UFC veteran who remains one of the most popular fighters on the UFC roster because of his wild fighting style and eccentric disposition away from the cage. He is the former interim lightweight champion and once boasted a 12-fight winning streak that spanned more than seven years. However, the 39-year-old Californian has dropped five straight while being stopped three times.
Green (29-14-1) is a 10-year UFC veteran who is known for his speed, boxing skills and footwork. The 36-year-old won his first four UFC fights but is 5-9-2 since. He has two losses and one no-contest among his last three outings.
"Green is a slick boxer known for his jab, head movement and shoulder roll. However, his last fight showed me that his risky defense isn't as smooth anymore, and he has gotten a lot more hittable of late," Vithlani told SportsLine. You can see more UFC 291 picks at SportsLine.
How to make UFC 291 picks
Vithlani also has strong picks for Poirier vs. Gaethje and other bouts on the UFC 291 card. He's also backing a fighter who "has huge power in his punches and kicks" to emerge with a dominant victory. Those picks are only available at SportsLine.
Who wins UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2, and how exactly does each fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC 291, all from the MMA expert who profited more than $6,200 in 2022, and find out.
UFC 291 odds, fight card
See full UFC 291 picks, predictions, and best bets here.
Dustin Poirier (-150) vs. Justin Gaethje (+130)
Alex Pereira (-115) vs. Jan Blachowicz (-105)
Stephen Thompson (-150) vs. Michel Pereira (+130)
Tony Ferguson (+320) vs. Bobby Green (-400)
Michael Chiesa (+125) vs. Kevin Holland (-145)
Gabriel Bonfim (-320) vs. Trevin Giles (+265)
Derrick Lewis (+170) vs. Marcos Rogerio De Lima (-200)
Roman Kopylov (-240) vs. Claudio Ribeiro (+195)
Jake Matthews (-265) vs. Darius Flowers (+225)
C.J. Vergara (-160) vs. Vinicius Salvador (+130)
