OK so, we’re back in Abu Dhabi. MMA Fights! Israel Adesanya beat Paulo Costa by TKO in the second round to retain his UFC Middleweight title at UFC 253
Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa
So the fight went how I initially predicted it. It turns out that Costa was never going to grapple, and it turns out that Costa had nothing for Adesanya. Ive talked bout leg kicks on here a few times, and I’ve always said, the worst thing that you can do when getting leg kicked is to just pretend that it doesn’t hurt. I’ll say it again. When you’re getting leg-kicked there are three things that you can do: 1. Come forward, and apply pressure, 2. Kick your opponent back. 3. Check/block the leg kick. (This does NOT work against a seasoned leg kicker). Just eating leg kicks, ain’t an option. Anyway, Costa got kicked, lost his mobility and got finished in the 2nd round. I like that Cannonier is next, I dont even think that Cannonier should have to fight Robert Whittaker to be next.
Jan Blachowicz vs Dominick Reyes
I got this one wrong. I think Reyes would’ve used more kicks here. Turns out he didn’t. Blachowicz was able to break Reyes’ nose in an exchange, and knockdown Reyes. The referee couldve gave Reyes a little bit more time to defend on the ground, but it is what it is. Blachowicz is the LHW champ. I’m interested to see how Santos looks coming back from a knee injury, and I personally think that Ankalaev is in the mix.
Brandon Royval vs Kai Kara-France
Royval is super entertaining, wild, reckless and deadly. I’ve been watching him since LFA, and the man takes ill-advised chances. He throws wild strikes because he’s super confident in his BJJ. I know he wants Pantoja next. We’ll see just how good his BJJ is.
Ketlen Vieira vs Sijara Eubanks
I’m not impressed with either of these ladies. Vieira was able to stand in one place and out-point Eubanks. Women’s Bantamweight is so thin.
Hakeem Dawodu vs Zubaira Tukhugov
Tukhugov gave up in the third round and lost. I got this fight wrong. I’m not excited about either of these guys. Dawodu vs Shave Burgos would be a good scrap to make.
Brad Riddell vs Alex da Silva
My unbroken call barely made it. With all Due respect to France and Royval, this was the fight of the night. What a war! Brad Riddell vs Al Iaquinta sounds good
Jake Matthews vs Diego Sanchez
This one was an easy one to call, I like that Matthews was patient. Even though Diego Sanchez has lost a step, his chin is not gone and he’s still dangerous in certain spots
Ludovit Klein vs Shane Young
So I’ve never seen Ludovit Klein before, and I know he won with a spectacular headkick and punches in the first round, but I still dont know what to make of him. I’ll be watchin him very closely though
William Knight vs Aleksa Camur
Knight was able to get a unanimous decision win over Camur. Camur needs to inmore his grappling if he is going to want to clinch so much. He needs to improve his BJJ and he needs Muay Thai clinch-work improvements. I wouldnt mind seeing Knight against Ibraghimov
Juan Espino vs Jeff Hughes
Espino just looked slick on the ground. I enjoyed the scarf hold submission
Danilo Marques vs Khadis Ibragimov
Both guys gassed out. Slow. I got this pick wrong
The Brad Riddell fight was unbroken
I got 8/11 Not bad