MMA fighters Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje are facing off in a rematch at UFC 291, where they are fighting for the “BMF” title, which they believe adds significant importance to the match as a part of building their legacies in addition to their aspirations for the lightweight championship title.
Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje are going head to head in the UFC 291, to be held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. This match is a much-anticipated rematch, following their dramatic clash at UFC Glendale in April 2018, which Poirier won via a knockout in the fourth round. Both fighters are looking beyond the “BMF” title, their focus is on not just winning but building a legacy that lives on. During the pre-match press conference, when asked if this gives their match an extra significance, Gaethje in response said, “I’ve seen it on TV and it’s beautiful. It’s going to look great on the wall. This does a lot for our legacy.”
Echoing the sentiments of Gaethje, Poirier agreed saying, “This is a legacy fight. We have one of these sitting in my gym and this one’s going right next to it.” He aims to become the second fighter to add a BMF belt to the American Top Team’s trophy case, after Jorge Masvidal’s initial win in 2019. Their first fight was highly acclaimed and touted by many as the Fight of the Year. The demand for a rematch has been high, even as both fighters made their individual strides in the MMA’s deepest divisions. Gaethje achieved an interim lightweight title at UFC 249, and Poirier followed suit at UFC 236.
Recalling the fierce encounter of their first match, Poirier admitted that he wasn’t sure if he wanted a re-match with Gaethje. Nevertheless, he was quick to agree when the proposal was officially made. He adds, “I felt those butterflies and I said, ‘We’ve got to do it.’ That’s what that was.” As he stands on the threshold of potentially earning the Bad Motherf***** title, it’s still unclear where a victory would place him or Gaethje in the rankings. However, the fighters are not deterred, the lightweight championship remains a possibility and that’s the top prize they’re focusing on.
When asked about his strategy, Poirier is particularly clear that he’d be considering the forthcoming fight as a new challenge rather than drawing on their earlier meeting’s success. He says, “We fought five years ago. This is a new fight.” While Poirier does have a history of winning rematches against competitors such as Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, and Eddie Alvarez, he doesn’t consider that as an advantage. His focus remains on showcasing growth, building up his confidence, and improving his mindset for the battle ahead.