UFC 291: Recapping an Epic Night of Fights
Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje finally achieved his dream of winning UFC gold on Saturday night with a jaw-dropping knockout of Dustin “The Diamond” Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 291.
Justin Gaethje Lands Massive Head Kick to Win BMF Title over Dustin Poirier in UFC 291 event
In a highly anticipated rematch 5 years in the making, Justin Gaethje defeated Justin via KO at 1:00 of Round 2 to capture the coveted BMF belt. The two exhilarating lightweights traded heavy blows in a wild Round 1 with Dustin Poirier appearing to gain momentum. But in the second frame, Justin Gaethje perfectly timed a vicious head kick that rendered Dustin Poirier unconscious, ending the fight instantly.
This angle of Justin Gaethje’s KO is incredible 😍 pic.twitter.com/TLlg7pQ7Ph
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) July 30, 2023
Statement Win Cements Justin Gaethje’s Title Shot Hopes against Dustin Poirier
The breathtaking finish earned Gaethje UFC gold after years of calling for a BMF title shot. The biggest win of his career also puts Gaethje next in line to challenge dominant lightweight king Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira.
“I think he’s turned me down 6 times… I’m not gonna fight someone on steroids… I don’t wanna fight someone that’s cheating.”
Justin Gaethje on Conor McGregor calling him out after his knockout win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 😳
(via @MMAFighting) pic.twitter.com/4nQkytXWfW
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 30, 2023
Alex Pereira Picks Up Split Decision in 205 Debut
In the co-main event, Alex Pereira moved up to light heavyweight and defeated former champion Jan Blachowicz via close split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). Utilizing his lethal kickboxing, Pereira controlled the fight and even scored a knockdown in Round 2. He defended takedowns well and withstood Blachowicz’s late rally to emerge victorious.
Alex Pereira getting KO’d in 14 seconds like- pic.twitter.com/GmO06LrP39
— PetrYansLapDog (@Number1YanFan) July 21, 2023
Pereira Skyrockets into 205 Title Picture
With the biggest win thus far of his blossoming MMA career, Pereira announced himself as an immediate threat to the light heavyweight elite. The Brazilian striker has now remarkably defeated two former UFC champions in his last two Octagon appearances. Pereira’s debut win places him firmly in the 205 title hunt.
ALEX PEREIRA DEFEATS JAN BLACHOWICZ BY SPLIT DECISION 👀#UFC291 LIVE on ESPN+ PPV pic.twitter.com/fJcxD3zoKg
— ESPN (@espn) July 30, 2023
Derrick Lewis Knocks Out Marcos Rogerio de Lima in Round 1 in UFC 291 event
In the heavyweight division, Derrick Lewis continued his reputation as a feared knockout artist by stopping Marcos Rogerio de Lima just 2:54 into the first round. Both men came out aggressively but it was Lewis who landed the more impactful shots. An overhand right wobbled De Lima before Lewis swarmed him with follow up punches to earn the TKO victory. It was a vintage Lewis performance and got the fans on their feet.
OMG DERRICK LEWIS!!!! KO IN 30 SECONDS!!!!😱#UFC291 pic.twitter.com/ddaWZ922zr
— Jmag (@jmagings) July 30, 2023
Bobby Green Submits Tony Ferguson with Triangle Choke
In a battle between two long-time UFC veterans, Bobby Green pulled off an impressive comeback submission against Tony Ferguson. Green found himself in trouble early after being taken down and controlled on the mat by Ferguson. However, late in the third round Green suddenly locked up a triangle choke from his back. Ferguson was forced to tap out at the 4:25 mark. The loss continues Ferguson’s precipitous slide while Green revives his prospects.
BOBBY GREEN SUBMITS TONY FERGUSON! @BobbyKGreen gets the finish with seconds left at #UFC291! pic.twitter.com/HuRLRFYIRH
— UFC (@ufc) July 30, 2023
Kevin Holland Finishes Michael Chiesa with D’arce Choke in UFC 291 event
Welterweight contender Kevin Holland picked up a huge win by submitting the highly-ranked Michael Chiesa early in the first round. Holland caught Chiesa in a tight D’arce choke at just 1:17 into the fight. Chiesa attempted to fight the submission but was eventually forced to tap out. It was a statement performance from Holland who continues his rise up the 170 pound ranks.
KEVIN HOLLAND BY SUBMISSION 😨@Trailblaze2top submits Chiesa in Round 1! #UFC291 pic.twitter.com/5x3pJL3uOT
— UFC (@ufc) July 30, 2023
Gabriel Bonfim Guillotines Trevin Giles in Round 1 in UFC 291 event
In a fast-paced lightweight prelim, Gabriel Bonfim wasted no time locking in a fight-ending guillotine choke against Trevin Giles. Just over two minutes into the first round, Bonfim clinched up with Giles and swiftly locked in the choke during a scramble. Giles had no choice but to tap at 2:08 into Round 1. The Brazilian Bonfim made an impressive octagon debut with the quick submission victory.
Gabriel Bonfim wins via SUB [Guillotine Choke | Round 1 | 1:13] against Trevin Giles!
What were your thoughts on the fight? 🤔#MMA #UFC #FIGHT #UFC291 #GABRIELBONFIM #WINNER #SUB pic.twitter.com/IpoOVnJii9
— MMA News (@mmanewsig) July 30, 2023
CJ Vergara Earns Decision Win Against Vinicius Salvador
Exciting Mexican prospect CJ Vergara showcased his skills with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Vinicius Salvador. Vergara used crisp boxing and fleet footwork to outstrike Salvador over the three rounds. Mixing in leg kicks and takedowns, Vergara controlled the fight on the feet and mat. All three judges scored the bout 29-28 for Vergara, who picked up his second UFC win. The Fight of the Night contender proved Vergara is ready for stiffer competition next time out.
CJ Vergara getting clipped multiple times in the first and coming back for a TKO victory on home soil 🔥.
Back in action for CJ at #UFC291, tune in because it’s going to be a banger 🚨. pic.twitter.com/6ynz0cyL4d
— El Champ Champ (@ElChampChampMMA) July 25, 2023
Roman Kopylov Knocks Out Claudio Ribeiro with Head Kick
Russian newcomer Roman Kopylov made an instant impact in his UFC debut, scoring a vicious head kick knockout of Brazil’s Claudio Ribeiro. A flush left high kick landed by Kopylov against Ribeiro’s temple in the second round, after a cautious first round. Ribeiro was out cold before he hit the canvas, with the official stoppage coming at just 33 seconds into Round 2. At 8-0 overall, Kopylov announced himself as an exciting new prospect to watch in the middleweight division.
Holy shit Roman KOPYLOV pic.twitter.com/eEZ8opZlBJ
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) July 30, 2023
Jake Matthews Earns Unanimous Decision Over Darrius Flowers
Australian welterweight Jake “The Celtic Kid” Matthews picked up a dominant unanimous decision victory over Darrius Flowers at UFC 291 in Salt Lake City. Matthews utilized his grappling advantage over three rounds, securing multiple takedowns and controlling Flowers on the mat. The judges scored the fight 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 all for Matthews, who rebounded from a tough loss in his previous bout. In the competitive 170-pound division, Matthews will face a ranked opponent next, moving his record to 17-5.
Jake Matthews with some fluid boxing that leads to a KO victory 🔥.
Jake Matthews will be taking on a new comer at #UFC291 🚨. pic.twitter.com/Is6iAlDK5Q
— El Champ Champ (@ElChampChampMMA) July 26, 2023
Matthew Semelsberger vs Uros Medic: Medic scores spinning back elbow KO in Round 3
In a welterweight bout on the UFC 291 preliminary card, Uros Medic scored a spinning back elbow knockout of Matthew Semelsberger at 2:36 of Round 3.
The fight was close throughout the first two rounds, with both fighters landing significant strikes. In Round 3, Medic landed a hard left-right combination that stunned Semelsberger. Medic then followed up with a spinning back elbow that landed flush on Semelsberger’s chin, knocking him out cold.
The win was Medic’s third in the UFC and his first at welterweight. He is now 9-1 overall in his MMA career. Semelsberger falls to 11-6 overall and 5-4 in the UFC.
Le spinning back fist suivi du G&P 😰
Uros Medic s’impose par TKO R3 ! #UFC291
— La Sueur (@LaSueur_off) July 30, 2023
Miranda Maverick Submits Priscila Cachoeira in One Round Rear Naked Choke Wins It for Maverick at UFC 291
At UFC 291, Miranda Maverick continued to rise with a first-round submission victory over Brazil’s Priscila Cachoeira. During Round 1, Maverick secured control of Cachoeira and forced the tap with a tight rear naked choke. The slick submission gets Maverick back in the win column after her first career loss. Her UFC record is now 4-1 overall, so she is well on her way to becoming a flyweight title contender.
Miranda Maverick is BACK! 🔥 Watch her nail a stunning armbar submission against Priscila Cachoeira at #UFC291! 🥋🤩 #WMMA #UFC pic.twitter.com/4M5S3xbjoq
— Women’s MMA Rankings (@WMMARankings) July 29, 2023
UFC 291 was a great night of fights, and it featured some exciting finishes. After their victories, Justin Gaethje and Alex Pereira are two of the most talked-about fighters in the UFC.
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