The UFC makes its pay-per-view return with one of the most talented card lineups in recent memory. This time it is headlined by the return of the BMF title fight between two competitors who more than live up to the name. Even when it is unnecessary, the UFC loves to advertise major PPV events with a championship on the line however this is a departure from that. Lightweight has long been regarded as one of MMA's most thrilling weight divisions, and the headliner deserves a lot of praise for their contribution to maintaining and advancing that status. Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, two consistent 155-pound contenders, will square off over the course of five rounds in a fight that is virtually certain to be exciting. In this article, we will take a look at why the fight between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje is generating so much buzz.
**The buzz for Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje explained** In order to fully comprehend how the two lightweight contenders came to be so adored by fans we must take a look at their initial encounter as this is a rematch. Gaethje has won seven Fight of the Night accolades over the course of 11 UFC fights. With 14 finishes, Poirier on the other hand is tied with Anderson Silva for the most knockouts. The excitement of Gatheje based on his reputation along with the knockout power of Poirier makes this a must-watch for MMA fans even though the lightweight title is not on the line.
**Gaethje vs Poirier 1 result** When Gaethje and Poirier first fought in the Octagon in April 2018, the lightweight division was very different from what it is now. Following his win over Al Iaquinta to win the vacant belt at UFC 223, Khabib Nurmagomedov now has the title. Conor McGregor, who at the time was still unbeaten at 155 pounds, was also considered the legitimate No. 1 contender with Tony Ferguson right on his heels. Poirier was always a tough opponent and was praised for his aggressive fighting style. McGregor and Michael Johnson both stopped the Louisiana star because of his propensity for trading punches in the pocket. With victories over Jim Miller and Anthony Pettis, Poriere entered the bout more improved on defense. On the other hand, Gaethje was a relative novice to the promotion when he entered the fight. Gaethje was as difficult as they come as he showed in his first two fights a win against Johnson and losing to Alvarez. However, he always had an extensive wrestling background along with a never quit attitude hoping to outlast his opponents. While Gaethje was kicking Dustin's legs mercilessly, Poirier had an absurdly high percentage of big hits especially connecting with his face. Knowing that Gaethje would eventually take control once the leg kicks took their toll, Poirier was confident in the first two rounds. Herb Dean correctly deducted a point from Poirer in round three for many eye pokes. However, in round four, Poirier gained control of the situation by putting Gaethje down and out of commission with an excellent counter left hand and a devastating flurry of punches.
**BMF Title explained** The BMF title is not a belt tied to any division in the UFC as its origins came about through a statement. The Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal one-off fight at UFC 244 is where the BMF title was born. After defeating Anthony Pettis at UFC 241, Diaz proclaimed himself the "baddest motherf**ker in the game" and challenged Masvidal to a fight. Masvidal won the first BMF title by defeating Diaz through TKO in the third round. It's time to give the belt a fitting legacy and consider how to make it relevant now that we've reached Chapter II of The Book of BMF.
**Expectations for Gaethje vs Poirier 2** At UFC 291 in Salt Lake City Poirier and Gaethje are scheduled to rematch their 2018 Fight of the Year. The ceremonial "BMF" title is on the line in the rematch, although the previous meeting had no title on the line. It's difficult to predict a significantly different outcome even if this rematch is occurring more than five years later. Poirier is valued at 1.7 to win while Gaethje is the underdog at 2.17 odds on Betking. Gaethje doesn't often wrestle despite his background as he has always been a fast-moving fighter. He is well-known for taking a ton of damage before giving up which means he will get hit a lot. For Poirier, who many believe to be the more skilled and defensively sound fighter in this contest he should have a significant advantage. It would be absurd to claim that Gaethje has no chance of winning this match. He'll have to endure Poirier's head attack in exchange, which will certainly result in damage as leg kicks will play a significant part in the fight. The value bet will be over 2.5 rounds as both Poirier and Gaethje are as tough as they come. There is no assurance that Poirier will wrestle with any urgency, either, he might dominate control and eventually secure a submission should he find himself in the top position. For two competitors who have already proven their mettle on numerous occasions, the BMF is an empty trophy. With all-action encounters that netted them a ton of post-fight bonuses, the two have etched their names in history. Jorge Masvidal, the first BMF title holder will wrap the silver belt around the victor after the fight.