UFC fans are in for a treat if Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2 comes close to replicating the magic of their 2018 Fight of the Year. Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 headlines UFC 291 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday with the BMF title at stake.
Poirier and Gaethje contend for a ceremonial title previously awarded to Jorge Masvidal for beating Nate Diaz in November 2019. Masvidal will pass the torch and wrap the BMF belt around the winner's waist. The silver strap is not a legitimate title, but the winner of Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 could feasibly challenge the winner of a UFC lightweight championship rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira.
"It was five years ago that I beat him. He's done great things, I've done great things. And we were just on a collision course it seemed to do it again," Poirier said at media day this week. "Number two against number three, number one is fighting the champ. It just makes sense I think in the division as well."
Former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira, arguably the UFC's most potent striker, makes the move to light heavyweight in pursuit of a world title in a second weight class. Welcoming him to the 205-pound division is former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz.
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While the undercard is loaded with fun matchups, one late scratch was a disappointment to fans. Stephen Thompson was set to face Michel Pereira in a welterweight showdown, but Pereira missed weight by three pounds on Friday. Instead of going forward with the bout and taking some of Pereira money, Thompson chose not to take the fight. Now, heavyweights Marcos Rogerio de Lima and Derrick Lewis will meet on the main card.
CBS Sports will also have live coverage of the fight with round-by-round scoring and blow-by-blow updates to keep you up to date throughout the night.
Below is all the information you need to catch UFC 291 on Saturday night.
How to watch UFC 291 prelims
Date: July 29 | Location: Delta Center -- Salt Lake City, Utah
Time: 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. ET for early prelims)
Channel: ABC | Stream: fubo (Try for free)
How to watch UFC 291 main card
Date: July 29 | Location: Delta Center -- Salt Lake City, Utah
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Stream: ESPN+ PPV | Price: $79.99
Now, here's a look at the UFC 290 main fight card and betting odds via Caesars Sportsbook.
UFC 291 main card, odds
| Favorite | Underdog | Weightclass |
|---|---|---|
| Dustin Poirier -150 | Justin Gaethje +125 | Lightweights |
| Jan Blachowicz -110 | Alex Pereira -110 | Light heavyweights |
| Marcos Rogerio de Lima -190 | Derrick Lewis +160 | Heavyweights |
| Bobby Green -400 | Tony Ferguson +310 | Lightweights |
| Kevin Holland -150 | Michael Chiesa +125 | Welterweights |
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