Dustin Poirier’s wife took to her Instagram and uploaded a photo of herself with him.
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Jorge Masvidal, the seasoned mixed martial artist, experienced a rollercoaster of emotions during UFC 291. As he fulfilled his duties, graciously handing the “BMF” title to his victorious teammate, Justin Gaethje, after an impressive win, his heart sank when he witnessed his close friend and training partner, Dustin Poirier, suffer a devastating knockout in the main event.
The stage was set for an epic rematch, touted as a guaranteed Fight of the Year contender. Fans and fighters alike were eagerly anticipating a clash of titans, and Masvidal, too, was openly rooting for Poirier’s triumph. So invested was he in his teammate’s victory that he placed a substantial wager of $100,000 on Poirier’s success. Alas, fate had other plans, and Gaethje’s brilliance proved too much for Poirier to handle.
As the bout unfolded, Gaethje showcased his immense skill and determination. In the second round, he unleashed a thunderous head kick that reverberated throughout the arena, landing squarely on Poirier’s temple. The impact sent Poirier crashing to the canvas, bringing a swift and unexpected end to the fight. Masvidal couldn’t help but feel the weight of disappointment, not just from the loss of his bet, but more significantly, from witnessing his friend’s defeat.
Despite the defeat, Masvidal sportingly acknowledged Gaethje’s spectacular performance. He commended the now-victorious fighter for employing a seldom-used weapon from his arsenal—the head kick. Gaethje’s strategy was cunning; he had attempted a similar head kick in the first round, but Poirier effectively blocked it. In the second attempt, Gaethje baited Poirier into a counter strike, creating an opening that allowed him to unleash the fight-ending kick.
Reflecting on the fight, Masvidal recounted that, in the opening round, Poirier appeared to be dictating the pace, landing the better shots. The momentum seemed to be firmly in Poirier’s favor. However, the unpredictability of the fight game reared its head, and Gaethje’s perfectly executed head kick brought about a dramatic shift in the contest. Even though Poirier had his hand up, it wasn’t enough to fully shield him from the powerful blow. The kick wrapped around the back of his head, sealing his fate and crowning Gaethje as the victor.
As the dust settled, Masvidal expressed his deep sorrow at seeing his teammate come up short. Poirier had been in the best shape of his life, and Masvidal had hoped for nothing less than a win and the coveted championship belt for his friend. The financial hit from his unsuccessful bet paled in comparison to the heartache of watching Poirier fall.
