Confirmed Fights

The headliner for the main event will be a rematch between Lightweights Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, and the two will fight for the vacant BMF title. In their previous match, Poirier defeated Gaethje via fourth-round TKO. The last time the BMF title was competed for was in 2019 when Jorge Masvidal beat Nate Diaz at UFC 244.

Justin Gaethje throwing a rolling thunder against Dustin Poirier in their chaotic first bout. Credits to: Mark J. Rebilas - USA TODAY Sports.

The co-main event will be a featured bout in the Light-Heavyweight division. Jan Blachowicz will take on the former Middleweight Champion Alex Pereira, who will make his 205 lbs debut in the UFC.

Tony Ferguson will also be returning since his loss to Nate Diaz, taking on similar veteran Bobby Green. Fans speculate this may be the final bout of both men's careers.

Also on the main card, Paulo Costa will return against Middleweight prospect Ikram Aliskerov, who's coming off a huge win against Phil Hawes at UFC 288. Costa has not fought since UFC 278 due to multiple bouts against Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev falling out.

Paulo Costa after his last bout against Luke Rockhold at UFC 278. Credits to: Jeffrey Swinger - USA TODAY Sports.

The main card opener will be a bout between Kevin Holland and Michael Chiesa. Holland is riding a victory over Santiago Ponzinibbio, and Chiesa will be looking to make a successful return after not fighting in over two years.

After multiple reschedulings, Welterweight strikers Stephen Thompson and Michel Pereira will meet on this card. The two were supposed to meet at UFC 289 and then again at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida.

Heavyweight star Derrick Lewis will return on this card to take on rising contender Marcos Rogério de Lima. Lewis has lost four of his last five and will desperately try to secure this win, whereas de Lima has won four of his last five and will be looking to add a big name to his resume.

Other bouts booked for this card include:

Welterweight bout: Matthew Semelsberger vs. Yohan Lainesse

Middleweight bout: Roman Kopylov vs. Claudio Ribeiro

Flyweight bout: C.J. Vergara vs. Vinicius Salvador

Welterweight bout: Trevin Giles vs. Gabriel Bonfim

Women's Flyweight bout: Joanne Wood vs. Priscila Cachoeira

Rumored Bouts

The only rumored bout for this card was Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington. The Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards was interested in fighting on the UFC 294 card; however, Justin Barrasso previously reported that this matchup was being looked at to headline the UFC 291 card. Dana White has already announced that Colby Covington will be challenging for the Welterweight title next, which was confirmed at the UFC 286 post-fight press conference. While it is now unlikely this bout will come to fruition, we know it will happen at some point this year.

Leon Edwards at UFC 286 defending his Welterweight Championship vs. Kamaru Usman. Credits to: Haljestam - USA TODAY Sports.

Betting Odds

Dustin Poirier has opened as a -125 favorite, and Gaethje is a +105 underdog. The odds between the two are skinny, so expect some fluctuation. Nevertheless, there's money to be made on both sides here.

Jan Blachowicz currently stands as a slight favorite over Alex Pereira, with the Pole at -150, whereas "Poatan" is at +130.

Paulo Costa has surprisingly come in at a minuscule underdog, currently standing at +105, whereas Ikram Aliskerov, despite having just one fight in the promotion, is the favorite at -125.

Tony Ferguson is a massive underdog at +275 against Bobby Green, a -330 favorite.

Who would you like to see headline this card? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.