MMA Fighters Predict UFC 291 Main Event Between Dustin Poirier & Justin Gaethje

Some MMA fighters have given their early predictions for the UFC 291 showdown between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.

Fernando Quiles Jr. | May 17, 2023

MMA Fighters Predict UFC 291 Main Event Between Dustin Poirier & Justin Gaethje /

UFC 291 has its main event between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, and some fighters have revealed their predictions.

Poirier and Gaethje are set to collide inside The Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The lightweight scrap will be contested for the symbolic BMF Championship. It'll be a rematch between the two decorated 155-pounders, as Poirier defeated Gaethje via fourth-round TKO back in 2018.

The Schmo has posted a compilation video of his past interviews where he asked prominent fighters for their predictions on the rematch.

"It's about hunger," Beneil Dariush said. "I think Justin is a little bit more hungry, but the problem with Dustin Poirier is he's a dog. He doesn't even have to be the best prepared. He knows how to fight. Once he's in that Octagon, he kind of takes over the rhythm and he enjoys the fight. So, he's a really tough guy, but I would lean towards Justin just because of their life right now.'"

Number three-ranked UFC featherweight Brian Ortega believes Gaethje will make the series 1-1.

"I like Justin Gaethje," Ortega said. "Yeah, Justin Gaethje, I have a lot of love for the way his fighting style is and everything. So, when he shows up, he shows up to fight."

Fellow UFC lightweight Jalin Turner chimed in on the matchup.

"I would lean more towards Justin," Turner said. "I think he's gonna fine-tune some things 'cause he looked good in his last fight against Fiziev. So, I probably give him the edge in the rematch."

Former UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez, who has fought both "The Diamond" and "The Highlight," believes Poirier is the better overall fighter, but there's a catch.

"Skill for skill battle, I think Dustin wins it," Alvarez said. "The only reason I'm saying Justin in the second fight is purely desire and will. That's it."

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Published May 17, 2023

FERNANDO QUILES JR.

Fernando has over a decade of combat sports news writing experience. He currently covers MMA, boxing, and pro wrestling. Fernando joined MMA Knockout as the Lead Writer/Editor when it was founded in 2023.