UFC 291: Poirier vs Gaethje Odds Spell Competitive Fan-Friendly Matchups
Card Could Have Plenty of Back-and-Forth Brawls
Poirier Favored Over Gaethje Again in UFC 291 Headliner
The last time the promotion was in Salt Lake City, Leon Edwards scored the biggest moment of 2022 with a last-minute head kick KO. Of course, the UFC is following it up with Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje rematching one of the greatest fights of 2018. The Poirier vs Gaethje odds favor the former, as this fan-favorite matchup is just one of many barnburners this Saturday.
UFC 291: Poirier vs Gaethje 2
Day/Time:
Location: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
Streaming: Pay-per-view
Poirier-Gaethje Will Be Violent For as Long as It Lasts
Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje are the two most exciting UFC fighters. Despite never winning a title (both did win interim titles), the two have a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame thanks to consistently putting on thrilling fights. They combine for 19 finishes and 22 post-fight bonuses. So awarding the winner the symbolic ‘BMF’ title is customary given their careers.
The Poirier vs Gaethje odds do favor Poirier (-150) here, as he did finish Gaethje in their first fight. This was over five years ago, and both men have aged, even if neither shows any signs of slowing down. Both have become more technical and have nearly identical records since fighting each other.
Gaethje (+120) did show in his upset over Rafael Fiziev that he’s more than just a rock’em sock’em robot type of fighter. He can mix it up and is more nuanced in his style. As such, he has a shot to improve on his 5-3 record as an underdog.
This UFC main event is also heavily expected to not go to a decision. While two of Gaethje’s last four fights went the distance, they were both three-round affairs. None of Gaethje’s five-round fights have needed judges. The public is betting this one to go past the halfway mark (over 2.5 at -135). But with Poirier and Gaethje both landing and absorbing over 10 significant strikes per minute, it will be a surprise to see this last all 25 minutes.
Check out all the fighters’ profile here
Fan Favorites in Dog Fight: Ferguson, Pereira & More
Setting the stage is a slew of fan favorites on the undercard. Former interim champion, Tony Ferguson is lined as the biggest underdog of the event at +320. His recent UFC results have been depressing: a five-fight losing skid. He takes on Bobby Green (-420) who is also looking to snap a three-fight winless skid. Both are likely fighting to stay relevant and could put on a show.
Also on the UFC main card is the unpredictable Michel Pereira. He’s a slight underdog (+120) to two-time title challenger Stephen Thompson (-150). Pereira, an unorthodox fighter, has won five straight but is facing his toughest test in Thompson. The karateka just upset Kevin Holland in one of the most fun bouts of 2022.
Speaking of Holland, he takes on Michael Chiesa (+120) as the slight favorite (-150). Holland is 3-1 since moving down to welterweight and his lone loss to Thompson was partly due to breaking his hand. However, Chiesa is a grappler and the type of fighter Holland struggles against.
The Next Light Heavyweight Champion Fights in the Co-Main Event
Michel Pereira is but one Pereira fighting on UFC 291. In fact, Alex Pereira makes his 205-pound debut against the former champion: Jan Blachowicz. The pair are fighting for the next shot at the now-vacant light heavyweight title. The UFC 291: Poirier vs Gaethje odds slightly favor Blachowicz (-125) likely because he’s got a grappling edge.
The favorite’s best path to victory here is to take Pereira down as he did with the Brazilian’s nemesis: Israel Adesanya. However, the former middleweight champion is licking his chops. He is not just one step closer to becoming a two-division champion with a victory, but he gets to do something Adesanya didn’t: beat Blachowicz.
This bout is but the first step to a potential trilogy bout between Pereira and Adesanya. Should Pereira beat Blachowicz and go on to win the 205-pound belt, this will make his third bout with Adesanya much bigger.
For more UFC betting news, fighters stats, and odds visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
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