Justin Gaethje knocks Dustin Poirier out at UFC 291

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Jul 29, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Dustin Poirier (red gloves) fights Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) during UFC 291 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Gaethje (left) used a kick to put down Dustin Poirier just a minute into the second round of their lightweight bout.

PHOTO: REUTERS

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NEW YORK - Justin Gaethje defeated Dustin Poirier by knockout on Saturday night during the main event at UFC 291 in Salt Lake City.

Gaethje (25-4-0) used a kick to put down Poirier (29-8-0) just a minute into the second round of their lightweight bout.

With the victory, Gaethje has won back-to-back UFC fights for the first time since beating Tony Ferguson in May 2020, after a victory over Donald Cerrone in September 2019.

Poirier lost for the second time in his last three UFC bouts.

In other Saturday night action, Brazilian Alex Pereira (8-2-0) edged Poland’s Jan Blachowicz (29-10-1) by split decision in a light heavyweight brawl.

Another native of Brazil, Marcos Rogerio de Lima (21-10-1), knocked out Derrick Lewis (27-11-0) via punches in a heavyweight battle.

Other winners included Bobby Green (30-14-1), who beat Tony Ferguson (26-9-0) in a lightweight fight, and Kevin Holland (25-9-0), who took care of Michael Chiesa (18-7-0) in welterweight action. REUTERS

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