UFC Odds – UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gathje 2

A rematch five years in the making is the headline event at UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gathje 2. Not only will lightweight legends Dustin Poirier and Justin Gathje rekindle their relationship they’ll also battle for the BMF title. This is the UFC so you can imagine what the letters stand for. The first meeting between the two took place in 2018 as the main event at UFC on FOX. Poirier scored a fourth-round TKO but their careers have paralleled each other since then. Both are 6-2 since that initial hookup with their losses coming to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira in lightweight title fights.

Oddsmakers anticipate a similar outcome as the first bout positioning Poirier as a -155 favorite on the UFC betting line. Alternate markets are available at UFC betting sites with plus odds on both fighters for a method of victory. At 34 years both are getting up in age but still have their sights set on another crack at the title. The division opened up a bit with the retirement of long-time champ Nurmagomedov allowing Poirier to rise to No. 2 contender status, one spot ahead Gaethje.

There is no shortage of exciting bouts on the scheduled 12-fight card. The co-main event between light heavyweights Jan Blachowicz and Alex Pereira got more intriguing when it was learned champ Jamahal Hill sustained an injury and will have to relinquish the title. A force at middleweight, Pereira moves up a division and is immediately a threat for the vacant title. Fight odds suggest a close bout with Pereira a negative odds underdog.

Bet on UFC online at BetRivers sportsbook with odds for every fight on the ticket. The action takes place on Saturday, July 29, 2023 from Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The main card is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN pay-per-view.

UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gathje 2 Main Card Odds

Justin Gaethje +124 vs. Dustin Poirier -155

Alex Pereira -105 vs. Jan Blachowicz -125

Michel Pereira +135 vs. Stephen Thompson -170

Tony Ferguson +307 vs. Bobby Green -425

Michael Chiesa +120 vs. Kevin Holland -150

The main event features fighters who like to get after their opponent and waste little time prancing around the Octagon. For them that’s a waste of time and energy. You can fight that way and be reckless at times when having a granite chin. Poirier ( 29-7, 14 KOs, 8 SUBs ) is the more polished fighter using his arsenal to score a fourth-round TKO in the first meeting. Following his loss to Oliveira at UFC 269, ‘The Diamond’ rebounded last time out with a third-round submission of Michael Chandler at UFC 281 to go 4-1 in his last five fights.

Poirier has been with the UFC since 2011 posting a 21-6 record inside the Octagon. Over that time he’s honed his skills to become a complete fighter. He’s considered one of the best boxers in the UFC while also possessing better than average grappling skills. In the first meeting Poirier was rocked by Gaethje’s leg kicks throwing him off his base. Poirier was able to weather the storm with his boxing skills taking over for an eventual TKO on punches.

We don’t know who will win the fight but we can be certain it will be entertaining. Both have a motor that doesn’t stop and really don’t like taking part in boring fights. Put them in the ring together and sparks are sure to fly. What separates the two is Poirier’s more tactical approach. It doesn’t always work but he’s enjoyed plenty of success winning over 80 percent of his fights.

Gaethje ( 24-4, 19 KOs, 1 SUB ) reminds me a lot of the Tasmanian Devil cartoon character. He’s a ball of energy that just keeps attacking. All his fights have a similar look and the style works for him. He had the early advantage over Poirier in the first fight landing leg kicks. However, once Poirier defended he was able to get the edge. There really is no method to Gaethje’s fight plan, at least none that a casual viewer can decipher. When things inside the Octagon are chaotic Gaethje is at his best.

Though he has a background as a wrestler, Gaethje rarely uses that in his fights. It is an area that can complement his strong punches and vicious leg kicks. Pulling that out of his bag of tricks could fluster Poirier, who will be intent on keeping his distance and staying away from the legs. This has the potential to be a classic fight between two accomplished veterans looking to take a step closer to a shot at the title. However, with Poirier being a more tactical and controlled fighter I like him for the win with decent UFC odds for a favorite.

UFC Prediction: Dustin Poirier -155 / Unanimous Decision

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