UFC 291 explained

UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2
Promotion:Ultimate Fighting Championship
Venue:Delta Center
City:Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Attendance:18,467[1]
Gate:$6,556,443.97

UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on July 29, 2023, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States.[2]

Background

The event marked the promotion's third visit to Salt Lake City and first since UFC 278 in August 2022.

A lightweight rematch between former interim UFC Lightweight Champions Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje (also former WSOF Lightweight Champion) headlined the event.[3] They also competed for the symbolic "BMF" (baddest motherfucker) title, which was vacated after the original holder Jorge Masvidal retired in April.[4] The pairing first met at in April 2018 which Poirier won by fourth-round TKO. The fight was considered "Fight of the Year" by several media channels.[5]

A welterweight bout between former UFC Welterweight Championship challenger Stephen Thompson and Michel Pereira was expected to take place at UFC 289,[6] but contracts were never signed and the bout was rescheduled for this event instead.[7] At the weigh-ins, Pereira weighed in at 174 pounds, three pounds over the welterweight non-title fight limit.[8] As a result, the bout was scrapped.[9]

Matthew Semelsberger and Yohan Lainesse were scheduled to meet in a welterweight bout at the event.[10] However on July 10, Lainesse was removed from the event for undisclosed reasons and replaced by Uroš Medić.[11]

Joanne Wood was expected to face Priscila Cachoeira in a women's flyweight bout on the preliminary card.[12] However, Wood pulled out in mid-July due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Miranda Maverick.[13]

A welterweight matchup between Jake Matthews and Miguel Baeza was booked for this event.[14] However on July 19, Baeza pulled out due to an undisclosed reason.[15] He was replaced by promotional newcomer Darrius Flowers.[16]

Former UFC Middleweight Championship challenger Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov were expected to meet at the event.[17] However, the promotion opted to scrap the pairing and instead move them to UFC 294 in October matching them up with Khamzat Chimaev and Nassourdine Imavov, respectively.[18]

At the weigh-ins, Vinicius Salvador weighed in at 128.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit. His bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to his opponent C.J. Vergara.[19]

Results

[20]

Bonus awards

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.[21]

Reported payout

The following is the limited reported payout to the athletes as reported to the Pete Suazo Utah Athletic Commission. The athletes were able to choose whether or not they wanted to disclose their purse to the public. It does not include sponsor money or "locker room" bonuses often given by the UFC.[22]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: UFC 291 post-event facts: Justin Gaethje's insane bonus streak continues. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Mike Bohn. 2023-07-31. 2023-07-31.
  2. Web site: Delta Center, Salt Lake City to host third UFC event in July. kslsports.com. Chandler Holt. 2023-05-16. 2023-05-16.
  3. Web site: The 'BMF' title returns: Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2 to headline UFC 291 in Salt Lake City. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2023-05-16. 2023-05-16.
  4. Web site: Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2 for BMF title headlines UFC 291, full main card announced. mmafighting.com. Damon Martin. 2023-05-16. 2023-05-16.
  5. Web site: UFC on FOX 29 results: Dustin Poirier digs deep, stops Justin Gaethje in fourth round of chaotic clash. mmajunkie.com. John Morgan. 2018-04-15. 2023-05-16.
  6. Web site: Stephen Thompson vs. Michel Pereira removed from UFC 289. bjpenn.com. Cole Shelton. 2023-05-02. 2023-05-02.
  7. Web site: UFC announces card with the return of Borrachinha and Poatan's debut at light heavyweight. ge.globo.com. Staff. 2023-05-16. 2023-05-16.
  8. Web site: UFC 291 PPV bout in jeopardy after weigh-ins. bloodyelbow.com. Zane Simon. 2023-07-28. 2023-07-28.
  9. Web site: UFC 291 loses main card fight: Stephen Thompson vs. Michel Pereira off. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2023-07-28. 2023-07-28.
  10. Web site: Matthew Semelsberger to face Yohan Lainesse at UFC 291. cagesidepress.com. Jay Anderson. 2023-05-31. 2023-07-10.
  11. Web site: Matchup roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (July 3-9). mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2023-07-10. 2023-07-10.
  12. Web site: UFC 291 adds Joanne Wood vs. Priscila Cachoeira. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2023-05-30. 2023-07-13.
  13. Web site: With Joanne Wood out, Miranda Maverick steps in at UFC 291 vs. Priscila Cachoeira. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2023-07-13. 2023-07-13.
  14. Web site: Jake Matthews vs. Miguel Baeza booked for UFC 291 in Salt Lake City. cagesidepress.com. Jay Anderson. 2023-06-30. 2023-07-19.
  15. Web site: Miguel Baeza announces withdrawal from Jake Mathews fight at UFC 291. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2023-07-19. 2023-07-19.
  16. Web site: Miguel Baeza out, Darrius Flowers to fight Jake Matthews at UFC 291. itnwwe.com. ITN News Desk. 2023-07-21. 2023-07-22.
  17. Web site: Paulo Costa returns to meet Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 291. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Farah Hannoun. 2023-05-17. 2023-07-19.
  18. Web site: Khamzat Chimaev returns at UFC 294 to face Paulo Costa. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2023-07-19. 2023-07-19.
  19. Web site: UFC 291 weigh-in results: Headliners set, but two fighters heavy in Salt Lake City. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Staff. 2023-07-28. 2023-07-28.
  20. Web site: UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2. Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2023-05-16.
  21. Web site: UFC 291 bonuses: With plenty to pick from, Justin Gaethje’s extra $50,000 was easy. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Matt Erickson. 2023-07-30. 2023-07-30.
  22. Web site: UFC 291 fighter pay: Kevin Holland leads limited list after Utah commission amends policy. August 7, 2023. MMAjunkie.com. Nolan King.

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