UFC 291 is the second big pay-per-view (PPV) event to go down in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it ended in eerily familiar fashion to the first event. Indeed, UFC 278 ended with Leon Edwards scoring a massive come-from-behind victory over Kamaru Usman, hitting “The Nigerian Nightmare” with a head kick hidden behind a straight punch (watch it).
Now, Justin Gaethje just knocked out Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 last night (Sat., July 23, 2023) using almost the exact same maneuver. He threw out a right punch and then followed it with a right head kick. The kick took “Diamond” right in the neck and knocked him down to the canvas. The referee called a stop to the fight moments later at 1:00 of round two, making Gaethje the new “BMF” champion (watch highlights here).
Few were expecting “The Highlight” to win this way. If Gaethje is known for his kicks, it’s for his relentless leg kick game. So, watching him pull off a similar technique to what Edwards used to defeat Gaethje’s teammate (Usman) was a trip. Fighters and fans watching couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
Check out what they had to say about the wild moment on Twitter below:
Utah is the land of headkick main events
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 30, 2023
Daaaaaaamn! Did not expect a head kick KO from Gaethje. Wow. #ufc291
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) July 30, 2023
That’s the second time a head kick has won someone a belt in this city that kick was crazy
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 30, 2023
Must be an insane and weird feeling for Kamaru Usman.
— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) July 30, 2023
Knocked out by Leon Edwards with that kick behind the straight technique just under a year ago.
His team-mate Justin Gaethje pulls it off to win the BMF title.
You couldn't write it #UFC291
Wittman: I know we never practice them, but I want you to throw a head kick.
— MacMally (@MacMallyMMA) July 30, 2023
Justin Gaethje:
#UFC263 pic.twitter.com/ZTsFzwKRMq
That one hurts for me. @DustinPoirier was really starting to find his rhythm in there. Just got caught. Great set up by @Justin_Gaethje, congrats on the victory and look forward to seeing you go for gold! #UFC291
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 30, 2023
Why usman catch a random stray
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) July 30, 2023
This sport is so crazy! You just never know what can happen! Great finish by Gaethje. Poirier was looking so good in round 1 too. Trilogy?!#UFC291
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 30, 2023
History repeats itself in Salt Lake City pic.twitter.com/Y5zpFnizx0
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) July 30, 2023
The Salt Lake Head Kick Tradition continues wow #UFC291
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) July 30, 2023
All of my emotions summed up in one picture pic.twitter.com/XxLgkSxcxE
— ᴛʜᴇᴀʀᴛᴏꜰᴡᴀʀ (@TheArtOfWar6) July 30, 2023
And, last but not least: Usman in the house celebrating his teammate winning:
— MMAMEDlA (@MMAMEDlA) July 30, 2023
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 291: “Poirier vs. Gaethje 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.
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