UFC 291: Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2 is the next big thing that everyone is talking about this week. Both fighters are firmly established in the top positions, and expectations are always sky-high for them. Their first encounter in 2018 was an unforgettable battle, hailed as one of the best fights of the year, keeping fans on the edge of their seats for 15 1⁄2 minutes. Poirier secured a back-and-forth TKO victory early in Round 4. The scary part? Both fighters have continued to improve since then, making this upcoming rematch even more electrifying.

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In other news, as NFL training camp ramps up just before the season takes place, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley looks niiiiiiiiiiice after missing a season due to gambling. Let’s break it all down!

💸 UFC 291 Odds: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2

👁️‍🗨️ Preview:

The highly anticipated and most electric rematch from 2018 takes place on Saturday, August 29th, with Dustin Poirier securing a fourth-round TKO victory the first time around. The best part about it? The UFC is putting the BMF belt up for grabs between these two fighters. Where does Vegas have their money going?

✍️ DETAILS:

WHO: Dustin Poirier (29-7) vs Justin Gaethje (24-4)

WHERE: UFC 291 main card at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City

WHEN: Saturday, August 29th @ 10 pm est (with prelims on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+ at 8 pm est and early prelims on ESPN+ at 6:30 pm est)

HOW TO WATCH: ESPN+ pay-per-view…there are others way too I’m sure you know about 😉

💰POINT SPREAD ODDS:

Dustin Poirier -5.5 (-105, DraftKings Sportsbook)

Justin Gaethje +5.5 (+125, DraftKings Sportsbook)

💰TOTAL ROUNDS ODDS:

Dustin Poirier O 2.5 (-130, DraftKings Sportsbook)

Justin Gaethje U 2.5 (+100, DraftKings Sportsbook)

💰MONEYLINE:

Dustin Poirier (-145, DraftKings Sportsbook)

Justin Gaethje (+125, DraftKings Sportsbook)

🏆WHY DUSTIN POIRIER WILL WIN:

Poirier has lost just twice in his past 12 fights, with the defeats coming in UFC lightweight championship fights against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.

Poirier is No. 10 in the pound-for-pound men’s rankings and No. 5 in the lightweight top 10.

He’s coming off a stunning third-round submission victory over Michael Chandler in November.

🏆HOW JUSTIN GAETHJE WILL WIN:

Home Court Advantage: Gaethje’s got home court advantage with his training in Denver.

Early Finish: Gaethje should aim for an early finish to prevent Poirier from settling into the fight and becoming dangerous.

Body Shots: If the early finish isn’t possible, Gaethje should target Poirier’s body with shots to hamper his breathing and reduce his power.

Level Changes: Gaethje needs to focus on more takedowns early in the fight to disrupt Poirier’s rhythm and pick him apart.

Focus on Kicks: Utilizing inside kicks can be effective against Poirier, who prefers to fight out of range, and could compromise his legs.

Wrestling Heavy: Gaethje’s wrestling skills can be an advantage, as Poirier has struggled against quality wrestlers in the past.

🤔 Calvin Ridley’s Return Following Gambling Suspension

Is Calvin Ridley back to who we all remember him as?

Maybe and maybe not yet. Wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, is gearing up for an impactful comeback season in 2023 after serving a gambling suspension throughout 2022.

Ridley’s suspension resulted from a violation of the NFL’s gambling policy when he was with the Atlanta Falcons in November 2021. He had taken a leave of absence from football at that time to prioritize his mental health. The Falcons later traded him to Jacksonville while he was still under suspension.

In a recent interview, Ridley shared his personal goals for the upcoming campaign. He expressed his passion for football and his determination to regain his reputation and name.

Ridley was officially reinstated by the NFL on March 6, following his application for reinstatement. Over the past two seasons, Ridley has played only five games due to his suspension and absence from the game. However, his standout performance in 2020, tallying 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 starts for the Falcons, showcases his immense potential that he promises fans in the foreseeable future.

The Jaguars have high expectations for Ridley, counting on him to be their top option on the outside and elevate their offense alongside quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Their impressive showing in the playoffs last season, erasing a 27-point deficit to secure a wild-card round victory against the Los Angeles Chargers, demonstrates the team’s potential for ever more success with Ridley’s contributions.

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