SALT LAKE CITY – The second “BMF” champion in UFC history is days away from being crowned as UFC 291 headliners Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje 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, Jorge Masvidal, 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+.
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
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 291.
