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Justin gaethje clearly suits the bmf invoice as he looks to parlay his new silver trophy right into a shot at ufc gold. Ufc 291 played host to justin gaethje's revenge on dustin poirier, alex pereira's a success light heavyweight debut and extra. Saturday's fights in salt lake city unlocked a myriad of exciting possibilities for the destiny.
Gaethje vs. Poirier 2 did no longer mirror the fight of the yr nature in their 2018 encounter, however gaethje has firmly cemented himself into the discussion for the 2023 knockout of the year. Gaethje channeled welterweight champion leon edwards -- who knocked out gaethje's teammate kamaru usman inside the equal city 11 months earlier -- by means of uncorking a head kick ko towards poirier that straight away ended the combat. Gaethje made it clean that his aim is to combat for the ufc lightweight title, so one can be contested by using islam makhachev and charles oliveira at ufc 294 in october.
Pereira is another fighter ultimate in on a title shot. Salt lake town hosted pereira's mild heavyweight debut as the former middleweight champion took a slim break up decision in opposition to former mild heavyweight champion jan blachowicz. Ufc fanatics also witnessed an critical win for kevin holland who starts offevolved his ascent up the ufc's professional welterweight scores, although he hinted he may match lower back up to middleweight.
Let's take a look at where ufc is headed inside the aftermath of ufc 291.
Lightweight department
Ufc light-weight championship -- islam makhachev-charles oliveira winner vs. Justin gaeethje: there may be no question in my mind that gaethje merits a 3rd crack at the ufc light-weight championship. Gaethje informed cbs sports that he requires sufficient recuperation time from his gruelling training camp. That strains up well with the time it's going to take makhachev and oliveira to time table any other combat after their rematch at ufc 294 in october. Ufc featherweight champion alexander volkanovski has known as for a 2nd fight with makhachev, however he must as an alternative attention on a deserving challenger in his personal division, ilia topuria. The most effective thing that might complicate gaethje's timeline is that if oliveira beats makhachev and the ufc books an immediate trilogy. There wouldn't be a clean opponent for gaethje in that scenario unless he waits for the trilogy to wrap. However for now, it is gold or bust for "the spotlight."
Dustin poirier vs. Beneil dariush or makhachev-oliveira loser: poirier vs. Dariush is the combat i'd most want to see. Dariush turned into snubbed from a identify shot before underperforming towards oliveira. It's an interesting conflict of favor among two dynamic opponents, but i am no longer confident poirier will take delivery of the fight. Poirier informed journalists on the ufc 291 submit-combat press convention that he is not interested in combating up-and-comers or prospects. Dariush is a particularly-touted veteran but may lack the call price to spur poirier as he winds down his career. The alternative choice might be booking poirier in opposition to the loser of makhachev vs. Oliveira 2. The previous would be a clean matchup and the latter an exciting rematch.
Light heavyweight division
Vacant ufc mild heavyweight championship -- jiri prochazka vs. Alex pereira: it is the most effective fight well worth making for the ufc light heavyweight identify. Both are darlings of the hardcore fanbase with dynamic, powerful moves. The matchmaking is strong sufficient to promote on excellent alone, but there is also an interesting promotional perspective to the fight. Prochazka defeated glover teixeira -- pereira's mentor and dear pal -- to seize win the 205-pound strap in cbs sports activities' 2022 ufc combat of the yr. Pereira could reap a degree of vengeance via disposing of prochazka. It also pits of the fastest-rising stars in ufc records. Prochazka won the ufc light heavyweight title in his third ufc fight; meanwhile, pereira gained the ufc middleweight name in 4 octagon appearances. The kicker is that prochazka in no way lost the identify. He vacated it in november 2022 because of harm and is primed for a comeback.
Jan blachowicz vs. Nikita krylov: blachowicz looked accurate early towards pereira however fatigue got the higher of him in the 2d and 0.33 rounds. Blachowicz is still an elite mild heavyweight however he needs to recalibrate after going 1-2-1 in his remaining four. Prolific finisher nikita krylov is at the satisfactory run of his ufc career with 3 straight wins. Krylov is nipping at blachowicz's heels in the respectable ufc light heavyweight rankings and blachowicz wishes a step again in opposition. This could be a strong fight night headliner or pay-in step with-view predominant card fight at a ecu event.
Welterweight department
Kevin holland vs. Vicente luque: holland teased a flow lower back to middleweight, mentioning the uncomfortable weight cut, but he regarded sharp at welterweight. Holland desired a religious bmf combat at one hundred seventy kilos. Happily, there are some of action warring parties at welterweight. Luque and dos anjos headline a ufc combat night time on aug. 12. Luque usually produces fireworks and rda is truely capable of magic in opposition to the right opponent. Candidly, i am now not invigorated with the aid of the concept of former ufc lightweight champion dos anjos fighting former middleweight contender holland, however luque vs. Holland is a delightfully depraved idea.
