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          UFC 291: Justin Gaethje's epic head kick earns BMF title in rematch against Dustin Poirier

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          Salt Lake City crowd can't believe Justin Gaethje's knockout (1:15)

          Everyone is stunned after Justin Gaethje drops Dustin Poirier with a massive head kick in Round 2. (1:15)

          • Brett Okamoto
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            Brett Okamoto
            ESPN Staff Writer
              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
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          • Marc Raimondi
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            Marc Raimondi
            ESPN Staff Writer
              Marc Raimondi's first year covering the Falcons was 2024, but it wasn't his first year at ESPN. He joined the company in 2019 and was a top combat sports reporter. He also covered professional wrestling and wrote the book "Say Hello to the Bad Guys: How Pro Wrestling's New World Order Changed America," which was published by Simon & Schuster in 2025. Raimondi also worked for the New York Post and Newsday, beginning in 2009, covering high school and college sports, plus the NFL, NFL, MLB and NHL.
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          Jul 30, 2023, 04:37 AM

          The BMF club now has two members: Jorge Masvidal and Justin Gaethje.

          Gaethje proved himself worthy of his nickname "The Highlight" with a dramatic second-round head-kick knockout over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291. The rematch between two of the best lightweights in the world started just like their first fight, with both stars trading blows in a back-and-forth affair. In the first round, Poirier looked to be ahead after opening up a cut on Gaethje's left eye with a knee. In the next round, Gaethje settled the score with one of the best knockouts of the year.

          "I've never thrown it once," Gaethje said of the head kick. "I just work my ass off."

          Gaethje wants another shot at the lightweight title, currently held by Islam Makhachev. Makhachev will defend his belt against Charles Oliveira at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

          In the co-main event, Alex Pereira squeaked by former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in his debut in the division. Pereira, the former middleweight champion, won by split decision.

          ESPN MMA correspondents Marc Raimondi and Brett Okamoto break down all the drama from an action-packed night in Salt Lake City.