The UFC’s ‘BMF’ title will make its return in July, as Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje conflict in the principle occasion of UFC 291.
Poirier beat Gaethje by way of TKO in 2018, and the Americans will sq. off once more in Utah, with the ‘Baddest Motherf*****’ title on the road.
The UFC launched the belt in 2019 as a prize for the winner of a combat between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal, with the latter profitable by way of physician stoppage. WWE star-turned-actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson then wrapped the gold round Masvidal’s waist.
The title has not been concerned in any fights since then, and Masvidal retired from combined martial arts final month after a loss to Gilbert Burns. The UFC is now reintroducing the belt, which might be up for grabs when Poirier and Gaethje meet in a light-weight bout on 29 July.
After beating Gaethje in 2018, Poirier went on to change into interim champion in 2019 earlier than dropping to official champion Khabib Nurmagomedov by way of submission later that yr. In 2020, Gaethje equally claimed the interim title earlier than dropping to Nurmagomedov by submission whereas attempting to unify the belts.
In Poirier’s final combat, the “Diamond” submitted Michael Chandler in November, a yr after Gaethje outpointed “Iron Mike”. Gaethje most just lately fought at UFC 286 in March, narrowly outpointing Rafael Fiziev.
The winner of Poirier vs Gaethje 2 might emerge as the following challenger for reigning light-weight champion Islam Makhachev, who is because of return to the ring in October.
In the co-main occasion of UFC 291, Alex Pereira will tackle Jan Blachowicz. The bout marks Pereira’s light-heavyweight debut in his first combat since dropping the middleweight title to Israel Adesanya. Meanwhile, Blachowicz is a former light-heavyweight champion.
Also, Paulo Costa faces Ikram Aliskerov, whereas Tony Ferguson goes up in opposition to Bobby Green, and Michael Chiesa fights Kevin Holland.
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