UFC 291: Odds and Fight Previews for Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2, Full Card

Less than a month since our last UFC pay-per-view event, UFC 291 will converge on "The Crossroads of the West" this weekend.

Set for Saturday (July 29), UFC 291 features a loaded fight card headlined by two of the best in the sport: Dustin "The Diamond" Poirier versus Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje.

Of course, everyone loves a rematch.

Whether it was Ali-Frazier, McEnroe-Bjorn, Fury-Wilder, Clemson-Bama or even Potter-Voldemort, something about rematches truly play on the common person's inner vengeance (incidentally leading to high-entertainment value). That is exactly what we'll see when Poirier and Gaethje scrap the second time around.

With the Delta Center in Salt Lake City (home of the NBA's Utah Jazz) hosting the PPV event, all eyes will be on the Beehive State.

All UFC 291 odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

Main Card

Main Event: Dustin Poirier (29-7, 1 NC) vs. Justin Gaethje (25-4-0)

Lightweight

• FanDuel Sportsbook odds: Poirier -160/Gaethje +124
• Will the fight go the distance? Yes +192/No -260
• Method of Victory:
  • Poirier by KO/TKO +210
    Gaethje by KO/TKO +250
  • Poirier by Points +370
    Gaethje by Points +500
  • Poirier by Submission +650
    Gaethje by Submission +2000

Although this UFC 291 card is fairly stacked, Poirier-Gaethje 2 is the match people are coming to see this weekend.

In their first clash back in 2018, Poirier and Gaethje highlighted UFC on FOX 29. In an event in Glendale, Arizona, the lightweights served as the Main event and delivered a fantastic show.

The bout resembled a kickboxing match, showcasing both fighters standing and exchanging blows at a high rate. Thirty seconds into the fourth round, Poirier swarmed Gaethje with a flurry of punches after landing a devastating left hand on Gaethje's head. Moments later, the official stopped the fight after witnessing Gaethje's sea legs when attempting to protect himself.

Fast forward back to the present, and the two lightweights are ready for more. If you like Poirier to win in the same fashion (KO/TKO) as he did in his first meeting with Gaethje, Poirier is currently +210 at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Whether you have action on this clash or not, it will certainly be one not to miss; expect a war in the main event.

Jan Blachowicz (29-9-1) vs. Alex Pereira (7-2)

Light Heavyweight

• FanDuel Sportsbook odds: Blachowicz -122/Pereira -104
• Will the fight go the distance? Yes +192/No -260
• Method of Victory:
  • Pereira by KO/TKO +170
    Blachowicz by KO/TKO +340
  • Pereira by Points +600
    Blachowicz by Points +350
  • Pereira by Submission +2300
    Blachowicz by Submission +550

Looking to erase the memory of his previous bout last April, Alex Pereira is back in the octagon. He won't have Israel Adesanya across from him this time, but he'll still have his hands full with UFC veteran Jan Blachowicz.

According to the current UFC odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, Blachowicz-Pereira shows the most narrow moneyline on Saturday's main card. At the moment, Blachowicz is the ever-so-slight favorite (-122 moneyline), but a play on Pereira to win in Utah is also not yielding plus-money (-104 moneyline).

This one will also have national pride on the line. With Blachowicz representing Poland and Pereira from Brazil, two of the proudest fight nations in the world will be on display -- will it be Polish power or Brazilian craft that reigns supreme on Saturday?

Blachowicz is coming off a split-decision draw in his most recent bout, which was against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 282 (December 2022).

Stephen Thompson (17-6-1) vs. Michel Pereira (28-11, 2 NC)

Welterweight

• FanDuel Sportsbook odds: Thompson -166/Pereira +130
• Will the fight go the distance? Yes -172/No +132
• Method of Victory:
  • Pereira by KO/TKO +550
    Thompson by KO/TKO +360
  • Pereira by Points +290
    Thompson by Points +145
  • Pereira by Submission +1100
    Thompson by Submission +2200

With no relation to Alex Pereira, Michel Pereira will enter the octagon against Stephen Thompson in Salt Lake City this weekend. Both men are coming off wins in their most recent bouts.

The tale of the tape has Thompson as an inch shorter than Pereira, but Thompson's standing reach is two inches longer (75 inches versus Pereira's 73).

Pereira is looking to notch his sixth consecutive victory on Saturday. Over his current five-fight win streak, he was won via decision four times (including a split-decision over Santiago Ponzinibbio in his last bout). That makes sense when you survey the "Will the fight go the distance?" odds, which shows "Yes" listed at -164.

Still, Thompson is 10 years Pereira's senior despite Pereira having significantly more UFC experience. Regardless, Thompson is the moneyline favorite in this bout at -166.

Tony Ferguson (26-8) vs. Bobby Green (29-14-1, 1 NC)

Lightweight

• FanDuel Sportsbook odds: Green -430/Ferguson +300
• Will the fight go the distance? Yes -110/No -116
• Method of Victory:
  • Ferguson by KO/TKO +1100
    Green by KO/TKO +180
  • Ferguson by Points +600
    Green by Points +135
  • Ferguson by Submission +1100
    Green by Submission +1100

Bobby Green is currently the chalkiest moneyline favorite (-430 odds at FD) on UFC 291's main card. His opponent for Saturday -- Tony Ferguson -- is +300 to win outright.

Green is currently coming off his only "No Contest" of his UFC career -- one that was sustained three months ago after accidentally clashing heads with Jared Gordon.

As alluded to, Ferguson is the longest underdog on Saturday's Main card. However, Ferguson's moneyline odds could present some value considering his reach is longer than Green's by a staggering 5.5 inches, despite standing nearly identical in height.

In a clash of two fighters from Southern California, can Ferguson pull off the upset? Either way, I anticipate this bout to spend its fair share of time on the floor; both men love to grapple.

Michael Chiesa (18-6) vs. Kevin Holland (24-9, 1 NC)

Welterweight

• FanDuel Sportsbook odds: Holland -158/Chiesa +124
• Will the fight go the distance? Yes +166/No -215
• Method of Victory:
  • Chiesa by KO/TKO +1500
    Holland by KO/TKO +190
  • Chiesa by Points +310
    Holland by Points +500
  • Chiesa by Submission +410
    Holland by Submission +550

Rounding out the Main card is a bout between Michael Chiesa and Kevin Holland. Genuinely, it is a bit of an odd matchup.

Chiesa lost his past two fights, the more recent of which came via unanimous decision against Sean Brady in November 2021 -- that means he has not fought in the UFC for approximately 19 months. On Saturday, will the welterweight show rest or rust?

Holland was victorious in his last bout, scoring a third-round knockout over Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 287 just three months ago. Still, he has lost two of his three most recent matches, with both losses coming via stoppage.

Aside from the drastic difference in time off for Chiesa and Holland, Chiesa's leg reach is three inches longer than Holland's. Oddly enough, Holland's standing reach is 5.5 inches greater than Chiesa's. Holland stands at 6-foot-3 while Chiesa is 6-foot-1.

Preliminary Bouts

• Welterweight: Gabriel Bonfim (14-0) vs. Trevin Giles (16-4) -- ML: -370/+265
• Heavyweight: Derrick Lewis (26-11, 1 NC) vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (21-9-1) -- ML: +186/-245
• Middleweight: Roman Kopylov (10-2) vs. Claudio Ribeiro (11-3) -- ML: -220/+168
• Welterweight: Jake Matthews (18-6) vs. Darrius Flowers (12-5-1) -- ML: -290/+215

Early Prelims

• Flyweight: CJ Vergara (11-4-1) vs. Vinicius Salvador (14-5) -- ML: -160/+124
• Welterweight: Matthew Semelsberger (11-5) vs. Uros Medic (8-1) -- ML: -220/+168
• Women's flyweight: Miranda Maverick (13-5) vs. Priscila Cachoeira (12-4) -- ML: -310/+230

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.