SALT LAKE CITY – The second “BMF” champion in UFC history is days away from being crowned as UFC 291 headliners [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] and [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] faced off for the first time on fight week at Thursday’s pre-fight press conference.
To make the moment more special, the original winner of the “BMF” title, [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag], was brought on stage to stand between the two men for their first fight week faceoff.
Poirier (29-7 MA, 21-6 UFC) and Gaethje (24-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) are set for a rematch of their 2018 Fight of the Year – which Poirier won by fourth-round TKO – but this time with bigger stakes. The “BMF” belt will be presented to the winner of Saturday’s headliner, which takes place at Delta Center and airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+.
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Moreover, the winner of the lightweight belt will be positioned well for a title shot.
The significance of the moment was apparent in the intensity of Poirier and Gaethje in their staredown at the conclusion of the pre-fight press conference.
Watch the video below to see “The Diamond” and “The Highlight” come face-to-face along with Masvidal:
Surprise! Jorge Masvidal came out to square off Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje for their #UFC291 “BMF” title fight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/M64th8yop3
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 28, 2023
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 291.