Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman couldn’t contain his happiness when his teammate Justin Gaethje delivered a stunning head-kick knockout to Dustin Poirier at UFC 291.
The highly anticipated bout between former interim UFC champions Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier took place in the UFC 291 pay-per-view (PPV) headliner, where they competed for the ceremonial BMF title on July 29.
This exhilarating showdown served as a rematch of their 2018 encounter, which Poirier had won by a fourth-round TKO. But this time, it was Gaethje who emerged victorious with a second-round knockout.
As a close friend and teammate of Justin Gaethje, Kamaru Usman was present cage-side to witness the intense showdown. The moment Gaethje sent Poirier crashing to the canvas with his powerful head-kick, Usman couldn’t hold back his excitement.
Jumping in ecstasy and screaming with joy, Usman was overwhelmed with pride for his fellow teammate’s remarkable win. Tears welled up in the former champion’s eyes as he witnessed the culmination of Gaethje’s hard work and dedication.
This angle of Justin Gaethje’s KO is incredible 😍 pic.twitter.com/TLlg7pQ7Ph
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) July 30, 2023
Nothing is more motivating than seeing a competitor take lessons from defeats and apply them to upcoming contests. Usman was on the path to becoming the greatest welterweight of all time. But he suffered a setback when Leon Edwards caught him off guard with a sneaky head kick, costing him the title at UFC 278.
It is intriguing to note that Justin Gaethje achieved his victory with a technique similar to the one that cost Kamaru Usman his title. Gaethje is known primarily for his striking prowess. But he delivered a sensational head-kick knockout to Dustin Poirier, claiming the BMF championship at UFC 291.
While Gaethje’s victories have mostly come by way of punches, head kicks, and slams, this particular win holds a sense of moral redemption for Usman’s camp. It reinforces the idea that they can move forward with renewed learnings and strategies to overcome challenges in the future.