UFC 291 odds, predictions, start time, fight card: MMA insider reveals Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 picks, best bets

The UFC returns to Salt Lake City on Saturday for UFC 291, highlighted by a main event featuring a rematch between veteran lightweight contenders Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. Their five-round battle headlines the main UFC 291 fight card starting at 10 p.m. ET from the Delta Center. Last year, the UFC held a pay-per-view card in Salt Lake City for the first time with UFC 278, which saw Leon Edwards upset Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title in the main event. The event drew more than 18,000 fans and UFC president Dana White said the promotion would soon return to Utah. He kept his word and Saturday's fight between the No. 2-ranked Poirier and No. 3-ranked Gaethje carries a title shot for the winner. 

Poirier is a -150 favorite (risk $150 to win $100), while Gaethje is priced at +130 in the latest UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 odds from Caesars Sportsbook. In the co-main event, Alex Pereira (-115) meets Jan Blachowicz (-105) in a battle of light heavyweight contenders. Before locking in any picks UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 picks, make sure you check out the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine combat expert Daniel Vithlani. 

Vithlani is a highly analytical UFC bettor who profited more than $6,200 for $100 bettors in 2022. This includes a documented 24-14 record on his well-respected, two-leg parlays. Every pick was documented on his public Instagram account.

From breaking down film and following fighters and their camps closely, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the breadth of the MMA betting landscape top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and speaks regularly with MMA fighters to understand the sport's nuances. 

In his SportsLine debut for UFC 283 in January, Vithlani swept the main card and his ledger included advising SportsLine members to support Jamahal Hill (-125) against Glover Teixeira (+105) for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event. Anyone who has followed him has seen massive returns. 

Now, with UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 in sight, Vithlani has scoured the UFC 291 card from top to bottom and released his top selections. You can see those picks at SportsLine. 

UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 preview

Poirier and Gaethje are among the most recognizable names in the sport, and their fights are widely considered must-see affairs among MMA observers. They have had similar career trajectories and share similar fighting styles that involve a willingness to take damage to inflict some on their opponents. What's more, both 34-year-old fighters have lost their two title shots to the same opponents, former champions Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. The winner of Saturday's main event is practically assured of a third crack at the coveted belt. 

Poirier (29-7-1) was last seen submitting former Bellator standout Michael Chandler in the third round of their wild fight at UFC 281 that earned Fight of the Night honors and was given consideration for Fight of the Year by numerous media outlets. Porier is also known for knocking out former two-division champion Conor McGregor twice in a six-month span in 2021. 

Gaethje (24-4) is the former World Series of Fighting champion who made his much-anticipated UFC debut in July 2017 and knocked out journeyman Michael Johnson. In just his third UFC outing, Gaethje was given a litmus test in a matchup with Poirier and they produced a memorable brawl. Both fighters had their moments, but Poirier landed a flurry early in the fourth to which Gaethje couldn't respond and the fight was stopped. 

Most MMA observers believed a rematch was inevitable and likely would have occurred before now. But somehow the rematch was never made despite the two combatants circling each other in the top-five lightweight rankings for the past five-plus years while both earned their pair of title shots. 

Poirier is generally seen as more well-rounded, as he has eight submissions to go along with 14 knockouts. Gaethje is still widely perceived as a barroom brawler in a UFC uniform and has 19 knockouts among his 24 professional victories. But a little more attention to fundamentals and defense has helped Gaethje in recent bouts, including his majority decision over rising contender Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286 in March. You can see who Vithlani is backing at SportsLine.

UFC 291 predictions

We'll reveal one of Vithlani's UFC 291 selections here: He is siding with Michael Chiesa (+125) to get past Kevin Holland (-145) in a battle of welterweight veterans.

Holland (24-9-1) is known for his speed and power punching, along with his habit of playful trash-talking his opponents during fights. The 30-year-old Texan is 3-1 since moving down to welterweight from middleweight and told the media this week he asked for Chiesa as an opponent because he craves the stylistic challenge.

Chiesa (18-6) is a 10-year UFC veteran who is known for his wrestling and submission skills. He has 11 career submissions on his record but zero knockouts. The 35-year-old hasn't fought since dropping a decision to prospect Sean Brady in November 2021.

"Holland's punches are extremely dangerous, but he often over-swings and lunges into range, leaving him susceptible to takedowns. Chiesa can capitalize on this and, if he can avoid eating big damage before getting the fight to the floor, he will win rounds," Vithlani told SportsLine. You can see more UFC 291 picks at SportsLine.

How to make UFC 291 picks

Vithlani also has strong picks for Poirier vs. Gaethje and other bouts on the UFC 291 card. He's also backing a fighter who "has huge power in his punches and kicks" to emerge with a dominant victory. Those picks are only available at SportsLine. 

UFC 291 odds, fight card

See full UFC 291 picks, predictions, and best bets here.Dustin Poirier (-150) vs. Justin Gaethje (+130)Alex Pereira (-115) vs. Jan Blachowicz (-105)Stephen Thompson (-150) vs. Michel Pereira (+130)Tony Ferguson (+320) vs. Bobby Green (-400)Michael Chiesa (+125) vs. Kevin Holland (-145)Gabriel Bonfim (-320) vs. Trevin Giles (+265)Derrick Lewis (+170) vs. Marcos Rogerio De Lima (-200)Roman Kopylov (-240) vs. Claudio Ribeiro (+195)Jake Matthews (-265) vs. Darius Flowers (+225)

C.J. Vergara (-160) vs. Vinicius Salvador (+130)