Justin Gaethje out-BMFs a BMF with KO of Dustin Poirier at UFC 291

No rational observer of fight sports activities would argue towards the concept of Dustin Poirier as a foul mother-shut-your-mouth. He simply gained’t get to take residence a shiny belt that claims so.

Justin Gaethje’s proper shin made certain of that.

“The Spotlight” added one other one to his reel Saturday evening with a second-round KO of Poirier to say the UFC’s just-go-with-it BMF belt, changing into the second man to earn the prize and accepting the strap from the primary man to take it residence, Jorge Masvidal.

“I informed Dustin he’s my favourite fighter on Earth,” Gaethje mentioned within the cage after the win. “Luck and likelihood are an element on this cage and I simply thank God I got here out on the fitting aspect this time.”

The redux of their first assembly in 2018 realistically might by no means have topped the struggle of the year-level authentic, regardless of how a lot violence-hungry struggle followers yearned for it. However the night-capping light-weight contest of UFC 291 in Salt Lake Metropolis was enjoyable whereas it lasted, and that’s what counts.

“That is in contrast to some other sport on earth, since you barely get an opportunity at redemption,” Gaethje mentioned. “We take a loss, we now have to take a seat at residence and let it eat away at us. We often by no means get that likelihood. So, to return again and show myself — I believed in myself the entire time.”

Gaethje (25-4, 21 finishes), who fell by way of fourth-round KO when final he met Poirier (29-8, 22 finishes) within the octagon, chopped away at his fellow former interim UFC light-weight champ along with his signature crushing leg kicks all through the primary body. Poirier’s arms, essentially the most notable weapon within the well-rounded veteran’s arsenal, discovered a house upstairs and stung his rival, however not sufficient to place Gaethje in deep trouble earlier than the primary break.

There could be no second break. Gaethje, who credit the preliminary loss to Poirier with refining his all-action type right into a extra calculated model of carnage, punished Poirier with a head kick that leveled “The Diamond.” A feinted punch drew the specified response from Poirier, permitting Gaethje to get by means of his rival’s guard in a end that was eerily reminiscent to the final UFC important occasion Utah noticed: Leon Edwards beautiful welterweight champ and Gaethje teammate Kamaru Usman with, yep, a head kick knockout.

The follow-up hammer fist earlier than referee Herb Dean baseball-slid in to cease the punishment 60 seconds into the second was barely needed.

“When you watch that [2018] struggle in comparison with this struggle, it’s evening and day,” Gaethje mentioned. “It was a tricky lesson to study, however that man taught me that lesson, and I feel God for him.”

In fact, a struggle like this hardly wanted the BMF belt to emphasise its enchantment. And for Gaethje, the belt isn’t even a way to his endgame of changing into, ultimately, the undisputed UFC light-weight champ.

Nevertheless it’ll do the trick, virtually assuredly, of vaulting into the 155-pound championship struggle that follows October’s matchup between light-weight king Islam Makhachev and the person he dethroned, Charles Oliveira.

“You realize what I wish to do subsequent. I wish to struggle for the world championship,” Gaethje mentioned. “These guys are combating in October. I’m going to show I’m the very best on this planet.”

Like Poirier, Gaethje didn’t want some leather-based strap with huge ol’ “BMF” emblazoned in metallic throughout it to justify his standing as such. Heck, he wouldn’t want Jules Winnfield’s “Pulp Fiction” pockets, both.

It’s a enjoyable prize, little doubt, however Gaethje’s intention extends towards a better profession spotlight.