Saturday night is shaping up to be a big one in the combat sports world, as both UFC 291 and the mega-fight between Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford are scheduled. Fight fans from around the world will be able to witness the very best of the best all within a short amount of time of one another.
UFC 291 Features Dustin Poirier Vs. Justin Gaethje For BMF Title
For just the third time ever, the Octagon heads to Salt Lake City for UFC 291. In the main event, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje square off for the symbolic “BMF” title, which was previously held by Jorge Masvidal.
The fight is a rematch of the 2018 meeting between the two that was won by Poirier with a fourth round finish. Many called the bout the “Fight of the Year,” and many are once again expecting the same kind of fireworks.
But that is not all that the card has to offer.
Jan Blachowicz, the former light heavyweight champion, returns to action for the first time this year when he meets Alex Pereira. Last December, Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev battled to a split draw for the vacant title.
In 2021, Blachowicz lost his belt in his second title defense to Glover Teixeira, but quickly rebounded with a win over Aleksandar Rakic.
Pereira is coming off a loss to Israel Adesanya that cost him the middleweight belt. He won that same title with a fifth round finish of Adesanya in late 2022 from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Former interim champion Tony Ferguson is also set for a return, as he battles Bobby Green, while former title challenger Stephen Thompson tangles with Michel Pereira.
Michael Chiesa vs. Kevin Holland and Derrick Lewis vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima are also on the docket.
Errol Spence Jr. Vs. Terence Crawford For Undisputed Title All Set
The undisputed welterweight boxing championship will be on the line when Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford battle in Las Vegas from the T-Mobile Arena.
The two have been on a collision course for some time now, having scheduled to square off with one another on a number of instances.
Crawford improved to 39-0 in his career when he finished David Avanesyan back in December, successfully retaining his WBO belt. In his career, the Nebraska-born fighter has scored 30 finishes.
Spence, fighting out of Dallas, is 28-0 with 22 finishes and comes in holding the WBA, WBC, IBF and The Ring titles. He stopped Yordenis Ugas early in 2022 to retain the WBC and IBF belts, while capturing the WBA crown.
Isaac Cruz and Giovanni Cabrera meet for the vacant WBO Latino lightweight crown, while Nonito Donaire and Alejandro Santiago collide for the vacant WBC bantamweight championship.
The card will air live on Showtime pay-per-view.
