UFC 291 Tips and Predictions

Dateline Salt Lake City, Utah!!!!

UFC is making a grand return to Salt Lake City, Utah after the success of UFC 278 last year which gave fight fans the most viral moment of 2022.

We’ve got two crazy matchups with the BMF title on the line alongside a title eliminator at 205 pounds that will steal the spotlight.

The rest of the line-up includes some violent matchups too and we cannot wait for these fights to play out so let's dive right in!

Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje

We've got a rematch that has filled the fight fan's stomachs with butterflies as two of the best Lightweights Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje prepare for war to determine the BMF.

This fight has been an eventuality since their 2018 Fight of the Night bout as they’ve been on similar career trajectories and have a healthy appetite for this rematch.

Pressure makes Diamonds, and it made one tough champion in Dustin "The Diamond" Poirier who has had an epic 28-fight UFC career which has seen him fight the best and claim the Interim title.

Poirier has beaten the likes of Conor Mcgregor, Max Holloway, and Justin Gaethje to solidify himself as one of the only non-champions on the Pound for Pound fighters list.

The former interim champion is known for his power-punching boxing style and grit which has helped him pull through many tough fights.

Poirier's ability to make a comeback from losing positions and drowning his opponents in deep waters was and is still his pathway to victory in this rematch against Justin Gaethje.

Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje is regarded as one of the most entertaining men to step foot in the Octagon.

He turned his reckless brawler fighting style into technical brawling which led him to an Interim Championship and compete for the Undisputed belt twice.

Gaethje has fought and defeated some top names like Tony Ferguson, Michael Chandler, and Rafael Fiziev which has ensured his seat among the top 5 Lightweights in the world.

He is one of the best leg kickers in the promotion with lethal knockout power in his hands and an impressive 75% takedown defense which makes him a nightmare for anyone in the division.

28% of Gaethje's attacks come from his leg kicks which gave Poirier a lot of problems and we think his ability to mix in the kicks without being countered will be his key in this matchup.

Styles make fights and these two have a style destined to combine and put on the most entertaining fights in the UFC's history so we can expect fireworks when they collide this weekend.

Best Bets

First up is a fun Welterweight matchup between ranked Welterweights Stephen Thompson and Michel Pereira.

If this fight took place 5 years ago, we would max bet Wonderboy but we're in 2023 and he is 40 years old.

Pereira is on a 5-fight win streak and has an 11-year age advantage on his side.

Considering that this is a 3-round fight and Pereira has the power advantage, we'll back the Brazilian at plus odds.

Next up is our co-main event between former champions Jan Blachowicz and Alex Pereira.

We think this fight is surrounded by a lot of uncertainties like Pereira's 205-pound debut and his quick turnaround after a flush knockout loss.

Although we think Pereira is dangerous and a man that can make things happen, the value lies on Blachowicz.

Blachowicz has more experience, better wrestling, superior submission skills, and cardio which gives him multiple pathways to win this weekend.

Our final pick comes on our main event between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.

Like their previous encounter, we're expecting another fight of the night barn burner from two men who love inflicting and taking damage.

Poirier has been on an impressive run and Gaethje has improved leaps since their last meeting so we believe this fight will be more technical than their initial meeting.

We’re unable to pick a side but we think with both sides showing patience, this fight should extend beyond twelve and a half minutes which is our pick.

Selection: Michel Pereira (Winner) @2.32

Selection: Jan Blachowicz (Winner) @1.88

Selection: Over 2.5 Rounds (Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje, Asian Total) @1.77

Selection: Parlay all Selections @7.72