UFC 291 is set to take place this weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah, with Dustin Poirer and Justin Gaethje fighting in a rematch to headline the card. Their fight is for the BMF title and is probably the most anticipated matchup so far this year.
We know this whole event is stacked with fights that can end in multiple ways, at literally any second, once the octagon gate locks. Let’s take a look and break down key fights on this card where you can win money and bang the book while doing so.
It’s you and the sportsbook locked in an octagon this weekend, and you’re coming out on top.
Check out the full UFC 291 odds over on Bookmaker
Main Event – Poirier vs. Gaethje
Starting at the main attraction, it’s tough to imagine any other matchup in the UFC where the buzz around it would be this big. This is a rare moment in fight history where there’s seemingly a 0% chance this fight is boring.
Sometimes you get title fights or main events that have one fighter wrestling and holding his/her opponent down on the canvas to win a decision. This one has guaranteed violence attached to it.
In their first meeting, both Poirier and Gaethje hurt each other multiple times in the opening rounds of the fight. Once round 4 started, Poirier caught Gaethje with a counter left hand that signified the beginning of the end.
Now in their rematch five years later, they are somehow different fighters that have leveled up their abilities in a lot of different ways. This fight is for legacy, a shiny silver belt, and, more importantly, a direct path to a third title opportunity.
The betting pick for this fight is Dustin Poirier inside the distance. This is virtually a 50/50 fight, but Poirier just has a slightly better striking skill set and more ways to win. Taking Poirier inside the distance at +120 seems like a steal.
Other Key Fights
Along with the main event, the rest of this card is arguably the best collection of fights in 2023. Let’s rattle off a few picks to make across this event.
First of all, there’s a good feeling surrounding Tony Ferguson in this one. He is the massive underdog at +300 at BetOnline, but Bobby Green isn’t even close to the marital artist that Ferguson is or once was. There is a big-time chance that Ferguson wrestles and outstrikes Green–or maybe even locks up a d’arce to get a much-needed win after losing five straight.
Then you have an interesting matchup between Michael Chiesa and Kevin Holland, opening up the PPV portion of the event. We are taking Holland to lock up a submission and shock Chiesa, who seemingly is taking Holland’s grappling lightly. Holland by submission is +350.
Lastly, to bang the book one last time on this event, go with Stephen Thompson winning by decision at +145. He is going to outstrike Michel Pereira over 15 minutes and defend any desperate takedowns. Pereira is tough enough, and Thompson is nice enough to predict this isn’t going to be a TKO/KO.
