So this was a pretty good card over all. Abu Dhabi, Justin Gaethje, Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC Light weight title. Khabib Nurmagomedov Beat Justin Gatheje via Triangle-choke in the 2nd round to become the undisputed UFC Lightweight champion. After the fight Khabib Also retired, capping off a 29-0 unbeaten MMA record.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje
I liked the way Justin Gaethje was fighting in the first round, even though he lost that round…well sort of… He won it on the judges score card… but none of that matters. Khabib was able to take Gaethje down in the 2nd round, and had the confidence to hit a triangle from the mounted position, Khabib went to his back to finish the triangle and Gaethje tapped, but the referee must’ve hated him or something… because, the ref totally missed the tap, and Gaethje went unconscious. Speaking of… I haven’t seen Keith Peterson during this whole pandemic. Personally, I think Keith Peterson is the best referee right now. Anyway Khabib won, I guess by technical submission and retired after the fight, stating that he didn’t want to continue fighting without his father. So we move on -This is rough for MMA fans, because we never got to see Tony vs Khabib. I predicted that we would see this fight, because Khabib had said that he wanted to fight two more times before his retirement, SO, I THOUGHT THAT THE LAST FIGHT OF KHABIB’S CAREER WOULD BE TONY. it wasn’t to be. (Hindsight 20/20) Tony should’ve held out and waited for Khabib, he would’ve made more money fighting Khabib, and he always couldve fought Gaethje later. OK what now? So it doesn’t make sense for Ferguson to fight Gaethje again, Michael Chandler is now in the mix, and if Conor McGregor wants another shot at the Lightweight belt he’ll have to do some fighting at 155. Tony, Justin, Conor, Dustin, Michael. There are 5 guys in the mix, one of them will be left out in the cold
Robert Whittaker vs Jared Cannonier
OK so I got this pick wrong. Cannonier was way too high and tight, and didn’t apply enough pressure, If you’re high and tight with your dukes up, and your opponent has his hands down, you have to come forward and let your opponent pay for having his hands down, you have to apply crazy pressure. Cannonier didn’t do that for some reason. Also, his footwork was slower than I remembered. He did well with the adversity that he faced, but he just couldn’t make that adjustment in the stand up game. I think its way too soon for Whittaker to rematch Adesanya, we’ll have to see how Jack Hermansson does against Darren Till
Alexander Volkov vs Walt Harris
Walt Harris came in this fight in better shape, but it wasn’t enough. In my opinion he should’ve been even lighter. Volkov looked every bit like the vet that he is. The Russian landed a good teep to the liver to get the win. got this one wrong
Phil Hawes vs Jacob Malkoun
I dont know why I picked Malkoun here. I saw Hawes on the contender series, and I rated him 4.5 stars or out 5. so….what is wrong with me? Anyway Hawes delivered in his UFC debut with a terrifying Knockout
Lauren Murphy vs Lilya Shakirova
When I was watching this fight, I thought Murphy could finish on the feet, but she was a little too apprehensive. Shakirova is OK… lol I saw a lot of people predicting big things from her. Shakirova moves around well, but there are some holes, when she doesnt have space , she doesnt know what to do. Anyway, Murphy big sistered her, took her back and got the finish
Magomed Ankalaev vs Ion Cutelaba
Ankalaev will be champ at LHW. Its just a matter if the UFC stops playing with him, and gives him a top 5 guy
Tai Tuivasa vs Stefan Struve
Stefan Struve is heartless, gutless, souless. Give him a little adversity and he folds
Casey Kenney vs Nathaniel Wood
Banger of a fight. If you told me Wood won this fight, I could see your point. Super close. Maybe Wood’s real weight class is at 145…
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Alex Oliveira
I wasn’t super impressed with Rakhmonov. Oliveira was sloppy as usual, and left his neck out there. Rakhmonov won by Guillotine
Da Un Jung vs Sam Alvey
I dont have a problem with the split draw in this one. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Jung wont stay undefeated in the UFC
Miranda Maverick vs Liana Jojua
Miranda Maverick looks to me, like the female version of Sean Brady. And thats a good thing. Gillian Robertson shouldnt be where she is, so, I like that fight for Maverick
Joel Alvarez vs Alexander Yakovlev
Tough run for Yakovlev. Alvarez wins by armbar
I got 8/12 not bad
My Miranda Maverick Call was unbroken
