30 July 2023 , 04:30
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Justin Gaethje viciously knocked out Dustin Poirier with an head kick to be crowned the BMF champion on the UFC's return to the controversial altitude of Salt Lake City last night.
The lightweight veterans were meeting for the second time, with Poirier powering through their 2018 clash on his path towards interim gold, with fans clamouring for the pair to run it back. And they delivered blood within the first round as Poirier bloodied Gaethje early in a back-and-forth round where both men landed big and hurt the other
With Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr's fight over in Las Vegas finishing up as Gaethje was stepping into the octagon, the MMA giants avoided a schedule clash in their main events. Despite the often icy Utah weather it was a searing hot atmosphere as the crowd backed Poirier in the early stages.
But Gaethje took over in the second and stunned the packed out Delta Center with a high kick that sent his rival immediately to the canvas. This is Gaethje's second title win in the UFC after becoming interim champion in 2020, but he will now reignite his campaign for undisputed gold, currently held by Islam Makhachev.
Immediately after landing the knockout blow and being presented with his belt, which had been out of use since Jorge Masvidal won it against Nate Diaz in 2019, he called for the world title while speaking with Joe Rogan. "Unlike any other sport on earth, your rarely get the chance at redemption," said Gaethje. "We take a loss and we have to sit at home and it eats away. We never normally get the chance so to come back and prove myself... I believed in myself the whole time. Luck and chance are a factor in this cage and I just than God I came out on the right side this time."
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Indeed, that Utah altitude proved a problem in the co-main event as Alex Pereira scraped past Jan Blachowicz in his 205lb debut after a quick start for the Polish former champion. The pair are the only two men to ever defeat Israel Adesanya in the UFC octagon, with the winner of the fight likely next in line for a shot at the vacant light-heavyweight title.
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Justin Gaethje with his BMF belt after beating Justin Gaethje (Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Blachowicz started well in the first but uncharacteristically slowed down in round two, while the weight-drained Pereira handled the situation seemingly with more ease. The Brazilian was moving up 20lb for his first light-heavyweight bout, but still piled on a reported 22lb between weigh-ins and fight night, although he looked ready for action throughout the night.
Unfortunately for long-time fans of the sport it was a tough night for the veterans, with Derrick Lewis' stunning first round knockout win the exception to the rule. Tony Ferguson slumped to a sixth straight loss as he was choked out by Bobby Green after Kevin Holland had stunned fans with a submission win of his own against Michael Chiesa.