UFC 291
{{short description|Mixed martial arts event in 2023}}
{{Infobox MMA event
|name= UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2
|image= UFC_291_poster.jpg
|promotion= Ultimate Fighting Championship
|date= {{start date|2023|07|29}}
|venue= Delta Center
|city= Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
|previousevent= UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura
|followingevent= UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font
}}
UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on July 29, 2023, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States.{{Cite web|url=https://kslsports.com/501391/delta-center-salt-lake-city-to-host-third-ufc-event-in-july/|title=Delta Center, Salt Lake City to host third UFC event in July|publisher=kslsports.com|author=Chandler Holt|date=2023-05-16|access-date=2023-05-16}}
Background
The event marked the promotion's third visit to Salt Lake City and first since UFC 278 in August 2022.
A lightweight rematch between former interim UFC Lightweight Champions Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje (also former WSOF Lightweight Champion) headlined the event.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/05/ufc-291-fight-card-dustin-poirier-vs-justin-gaethje-2-headlines-bmf-title-fight|title=The 'BMF' title returns: Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2 to headline UFC 291 in Salt Lake City|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2023-05-16|access-date=2023-05-16}} They also competed for the symbolic "BMF" (baddest motherfucker) title, which was vacated after the original holder Jorge Masvidal retired in April.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/5/16/23726299/dustin-poirier-vs-justin-gaethje-2-for-bmf-title-headlines-ufc-291-july-29-full-main-card-announced|title=Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2 for BMF title headlines UFC 291, full main card announced|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2023-05-16|access-date=2023-05-16}} The pairing first met at UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje in April 2018 which Poirier won by fourth-round TKO. The fight was considered "Fight of the Year" by several media channels.{{Cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/04/ufc-on-fox-29-results-dustin-poirier-digs-deep-stops-justin-gaethje-in-fourth-round-of-chaotic-clash|title=UFC on FOX 29 results: Dustin Poirier digs deep, stops Justin Gaethje in fourth round of chaotic clash|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=John Morgan|date=2018-04-15|access-date=2023-05-16}}
A welterweight bout between former UFC Welterweight Championship challenger Stephen Thompson and Michel Pereira was expected to take place at UFC 289,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/stephen-thompson/stephen-thompson-vs-michel-pereira-removed-from-ufc-289/|title=Stephen Thompson vs. Michel Pereira removed from UFC 289|publisher=bjpenn.com|author=Cole Shelton|date=2023-05-02|access-date=2023-05-02}} but contracts were never signed and the bout was rescheduled for this event instead.{{Cite web|url=https://ge.globo.com/combate/noticia/2023/05/16/ufc-anuncia-card-com-volta-de-borrachinha-e-estreia-de-poatan-nos-meio-pesados.ghtml|title=UFC announces card with the return of Borrachinha and Poatan's debut at light heavyweight|publisher=ge.globo.com|author=Staff|date=2023-05-16|access-date=2023-05-16}} {{in lang|pt-br}} At the weigh-ins, Pereira weighed in at 174 pounds, three pounds over the welterweight non-title fight limit.{{Cite web|url=https://bloodyelbow.com/2023/07/28/ufc-291-weigh-ins/|title=UFC 291 PPV bout in jeopardy after weigh-ins|publisher=bloodyelbow.com|author=Zane Simon|date=2023-07-28|access-date=2023-07-28}} As a result, the bout was scrapped.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/07/ufc-291-news-stephen-thompson-vs-michel-pereira-canceled|title= UFC 291 loses main card fight: Stephen Thompson vs. Michel Pereira off|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2023-07-28|access-date=2023-07-28}}
Matthew Semelsberger and Yohan Lainesse were scheduled to meet in a welterweight bout at the event.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/05/31/matthew-semelsberger-face-yohan-lainesse-ufc-291/|title=Matthew Semelsberger to face Yohan Lainesse at UFC 291|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Jay Anderson|date=2023-05-31|access-date=2023-07-10}} However on July 10, Lainesse was removed from the event for undisclosed reasons and replaced by Uroš Medić.{{Cite web |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/matchup-roundup-new-ufc-and-bellator-fights-announced-in-the-past-week-july-3-9|title=Matchup roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (July 3-9)|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2023-07-10|access-date=2023-07-10}}
Joanne Wood was expected to face Priscila Cachoeira in a women's flyweight bout on the preliminary card.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/05/ufc-291-joanne-wood-vs-priscila-cachoeira-booked|title=UFC 291 adds Joanne Wood vs. Priscila Cachoeira|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2023-05-30|access-date=2023-07-13}} However, Wood pulled out in mid-July due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Miranda Maverick.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/07/ufc-291-news-miranda-maverick-vs-priscila-cachoeira|title=With Joanne Wood out, Miranda Maverick steps in at UFC 291 vs. Priscila Cachoeira|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2023-07-13|access-date=2023-07-13}}
A welterweight matchup between Jake Matthews and Miguel Baeza was booked for this event.{{cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/06/30/jake-matthews-vs-miguel-baeza-booked-ufc-291-salt-lake-city/|title=Jake Matthews vs. Miguel Baeza booked for UFC 291 in Salt Lake City|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Jay Anderson|date=2023-06-30|access-date=2023-07-19}} However on July 19, Baeza pulled out due to an undisclosed reason.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/07/miguel-baeza-announces-withdrawal-from-jake-mathews-fight-at-ufc-291|title=Miguel Baeza announces withdrawal from Jake Mathews fight at UFC 291|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2023-07-19|access-date=2023-07-19}} He was replaced by promotional newcomer Darrius Flowers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.itnwwe.com/mma/ufc-291-miguel-baeza-out-darrius-flowers-to-fight-jake-matthews/|title=Miguel Baeza out, Darrius Flowers to fight Jake Matthews at UFC 291|publisher=itnwwe.com|author=ITN News Desk|date=2023-07-21|access-date=2023-07-22}}
Former UFC Middleweight Championship challenger Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov were expected to meet at the event.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/05/ufc-291-paulo-costa-vs-ikram-aliskerov-booked|title=Paulo Costa returns to meet Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 291|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2023-05-17|access-date=2023-07-19}} However, the promotion opted to scrap the pairing and instead move them to UFC 294 in October matching them up with Khamzat Chimaev and Nassourdine Imavov, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/07/ufc-294-news-khamzat-chimaev-vs-paulo-costa-fight-card-abu-dhabi|title=Khamzat Chimaev returns at UFC 294 to face Paulo Costa|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2023-07-19|access-date=2023-07-19}}
At the weigh-ins, Vinicius Salvador weighed in at 128.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit. His bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to his opponent C.J. Vergara.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/07/ufc-291-salt-lake-city-dustin-poirier-justin-gaethje-bmf-title-blachowicz-pereira-weigh-in-results-live-video-stream|title=UFC 291 weigh-in results: Headliners set, but two fighters heavy in Salt Lake City|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2023-07-28|access-date=2023-07-28}}
Results
{{MMAevent}}
{{MMAevent card|Main card}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Lightweight
|def.
|KO (head kick)
|2
|1:00
|For the symbolic "BMF" title.
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Heavyweight
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|1
|0:33
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Lightweight
|def.
|Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke)
|3
|4:54
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|def.
|Submission (brabo choke)
|1
|2:39
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Preliminary card (ABC / ESPN / ESPN+)|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|Gabriel Bonfim
|def.
|Submission (guillotine choke)
|1
|1:13
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Catchweight (128.5 lb)
|def.
|Vinicius Salvador
|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Middleweight
|def.
|Claudio Ribeiro
|KO (head kick)
|2
|0:33
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|def.
|Darrius Flowers
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|2
|2:37
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Early preliminary card (ESPN / ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass)|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|def.
|TKO (spinning backfist and punches)
|3
|2:36
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Women's Flyweight
|def.
|Submission (armbar)
|3
|2:11
|
}}
{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}
Bonus awards
The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-291-salt-lake-city-bonus-awards-knockouts-submissions-justin-gaethje-derrick-lewis-bobby-green-holland|title=UFC 291 bonuses: With plenty to pick from, Justin Gaethje's extra $50,000 was easy|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Matt Erickson|date=2023-07-30|access-date=2023-07-30}}
- Fight of the Night: No bonus awarded.
- Performance of the Night: Justin Gaethje, Derrick Lewis, Bobby Green, and Kevin Holland
Reported payout
The following is the limited reported payout to the athletes as reported to the Pete Suazo Utah Athletic Commission. The athletes were able to choose whether or not they wanted to disclose their purse to the public. It does not include sponsor money or "locker room" bonuses often given by the UFC.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-291-fight-pay-justin-gaethje-vs-dustin-poirier-holland-green|title=UFC 291 fighter pay: Kevin Holland leads limited list after Utah commission amends policy|date=August 7, 2023|work=MMAjunkie.com|author=Nolan King}}
- Kevin Holland: $356,000 (includes $178,000 win bonus) def. Michael Chiesa
- Bobby Green: $300,000 (includes $150,000 win bonus) def. Tony Ferguson
- CJ Vergara: $60,000 (includes $30,000 win bonus) def. Vinicius Salvador
- Gabriel Bonfim: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus) def. Trevin Giles
See also
{{Portal|Martial Arts}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{UFC Events}}
{{2023 in mixed martial arts}}
Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship flagship events
Category:July 2023 sports events in the United States
Category:Mixed martial arts in Utah