SALT LAKE CITY – Multiple celebrities, including members of the Utah Jazz, attended UFC 291 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
UFC 291 was held at the Delta Center, the home of the Jazz, on Saturday, July 29.
It was the second UFC pay-per-view event at the venue in the past 11 months.
The #UFC291 Main Card is starting NOW ‼
Stay caught up with our live blog 👊https://t.co/aobPfi6PJY
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 30, 2023
In attendance for the fight night were multiple celebrities and athletes. Both former and current members of the Jazz organization were seated near the octagon to watch the event’s 11 fights.
Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and head coach Will Hardy were at UFC 291. Current Jazz rookies Brice Sensabaugh, Keyonte George, and Taylor Hendricks were also at the Delta Center.
In addition to the current members of the Jazz, former greats Deron Williams and Karl Malone were in Salt Lake City to watch the fights.
A few familiar faces sitting cageside tonight 🤩#UFC291 pic.twitter.com/T82Y2CMgxj
— Delta Center (@deltacenter) July 30, 2023
In addition to the members of the Jazz, other famous individuals at UFC 291 included comedian Theo Von, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler, former NFL running back Mark Ingram II, as well as former and current members of the UFC.
💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾@Trailblaze2top @ufc #UFC291 pic.twitter.com/U6KN6KXygm
— Mark Ingram II (@markingramII) July 30, 2023
UFC 291 Main Card
Michael Chiesa vs. Kevin Holland
Holland is one of the most amusing fighters in the UFC. Known for poking jokes at his opponent and spectators in the middle of the ring, Holland’s skills are nothing to laugh at.
Chiesa has not stepped foot in the ring since 2021. He lost his last two fights before taking the two-year hiatus.
Tonight’s full #UFC291 lineup and it’s HUGE 🔥
[ B2YB @Manscaped ] pic.twitter.com/wAycZzZbD3
— UFC (@ufc) July 29, 2023
RELATED: Michael Chiesa Wears John Stockton Jersey At UFC 291 Press Conference
Most of Chiesa’s victories came by submission and Holland has been known to have subpar takedown defense. However, following his submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev in September 2022, Holland has made that a focus for improvement.
The result of this fight largely relies on how Chiesa will look in his return.
Favorite: Kevin Holland
Tony Ferguson vs. Bobby Green
Ferguson is a UFC great. But, like Derrick Lewis, he is coming off of the worst streak in his career.
Ferguson’s career record is 26-8 but he has lost five straight heading into UFC 291. Green comes off of a no-contest and hasn’t won a fight since February 2022.
No love between lightweights 👀@TonyFergusonXT vs @BobbyKGreen on Saturday’s main card!
[ #UFC291 | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/pLr0edbRRg ] pic.twitter.com/F8wMtxtbVW
— UFC (@ufc) July 27, 2023
With both sides being skilled fighters, it’s anyone’s best guess on how it will end. With a speed advantage over Ferguson, Green will look to fit in his shots and back away. Even in the latter stages of his career, Ferguson can deal a lot of damage.
Some fans speculate that a Ferguson retirement is a possibility if he were to lose a sixth straight to Bobby Green.
Favorite: Bobby Green
Stephen Thompson vs. Michel Pereira
This fight was canceled due to Michel Pereira weighing in over the limit.
Favorite prior to cancellation: Stephen Thompson
Jan Błachowicz vs. Alex Pereira
Pereira’s move up to light heavyweight following his loss to Israel Adesanya has been a big topic of discussion.
At 6-foot-4, the weight class seems like it would suit him better. Plus, Pereira with more strength would be a scary sight. If he can move as well as he did as a middleweight, Błachowicz may not be ready.
A Light Heavyweight title shot is ON THE LINE!@JanBlachowicz vs @AlexPereiraUFC in tomorrow’s #UFC291 co-main 🔥
[ Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/aahJK2CsRA ] pic.twitter.com/eBgyvVLkI5
— UFC (@ufc) July 28, 2023
Błachowicz is not someone to mess around with though. He is a great all-around fighter with a mean left hook. His odds against Pereira are significantly higher if he can do some work on the ground.
In any other card, this could be a main-event fight.
Favorite: Jan Błachowicz
Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje
“I don’t think it goes 25 minutes,” Poirier said. “If it does, me and him will chat about it in the hospital because that’s where we’ll be going.”
RUNNING IT BACK FOR THE BMF STRAP 🏆🤬@DustinPoirier and @Justin_Gaethje in tomorrow’s main event!
[ #UFC291 | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/aahJK2CsRA ] pic.twitter.com/458saAg1ls
— UFC (@ufc) July 28, 2023
That quote basically sums up how the main event of UFC 291 will go.
Both fighters are 1-1 in their last two fights. Both losses came by submission.
It will be a slugfest. Gaethje has a chip on his shoulder from the last meet-up between these two and Poirier wants to keep his No. 2 ranking. Only one can claim the BMF title.
Favorite: Dustin Poirier
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. He’s also co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on X/Twitter (@kyleireland), Instagram (@kyleirelandksl), and Threads (@kyleirelandksl).
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