by UFC 251 from Fight Island in Abu Dhabi took place tonight and as always, the action was fast and furious. Here are some of our hot takes from the bigger fights on the card that we predicted earlier in the week.
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Davey Grant KO’s Martin Day at the 3:28 mark of the third round.
Take – Grant got big time lucky here as I had him losing badly in all three rounds. Sometimes all it takes is one well placed shot, and he found his. I had him losing round one 10-8, round two 10-9, and round 3 10-9. Sometimes it isn’t the best fighter that wins, but the smartest and Grant showed that tonight!
Marcin Tybura defeats Maxim Grishin 30-27, 30-27, 30-26
Take – The fight was never close as Tybura appears to be getting his swagger back. He was once 16-2 and one of the top heavyweights in the game. Tonight, he used his striking and movement to show us all again how he got that good. It’s been awhile since he has looked this sharp, let’s see if it keeps up.
Makwan Amirkhani submits Danny Henry by anaconda choke in the very first round
Take – That was plain nasty, one of the best chokes you can put on someone. There is almost no escape and Henry found that out as he was fast asleep.
Jiri Prochazka knocks out Volkan Oezemir in the opening moments of the second round
Take – Sweet merciful crap, Prochazka hit Oezemir so hard, he may never remember that title shot he got once years ago. My goodness did Prochazka knock him into next week. Now 27 – 3 – 1 with 20 plus Knockouts, Prochazka is the real deal.
Amanda Ribis wins via armbar tapout over Paige VanZant
Take- The heavy favorite showed why she was with a quick win tonight that gave her little to no issues. She has a little Amanda Nunes in her and her 10-1 record matches her incredible enthusiasm. She gets emotional, but she gets the win! Ribis is the next big thing in women’s MMA!
Thug Rose Tops Jessica Andrade in an instant classic, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28
Take – WOW! That fight lived up to the hype as Thug Rose looked amazing on her feet for the first half of the fight. Andrade did everything she could to put it in doubt with a furious rally in the final 7 minutes to put the result in question.
Peter Yan defeats Jose Aldo by TKO for UFC Bantamweight Championship
Aldo was in big trouble and may have been saved by the bell to close round one. He made Yan pay for it in round two and controlled the round to even it up after two. Both men very tactical.
Round three was much too close to call, but Aldo began to tire in round four as Yan walked him down and did damage. Aldo was in trouble late, but once again survived to push a fifth round.
Yan ended all doubt in the fifth round as he crumbled Aldo. A bloodied Aldo turtled up for almost a minute before the ref finally stopped it way too late.
The UFC needs to go back and review that fight. Aldo went nearly a minute turtled up with no intention or ability to escape before it was stopped. Congrats to the new champ!
Volkanovski earns a split decision victory over Holloway 48-47 on 2 of 3 Cards.
It was vintage Max Holloway in the first two rounds. He used his length and reach to strike at will and stay out of the pocket. He picked apart Volkanovski and looked like the fighter of old.
The third round was close enough to go either way before Max came back stronger in the fourth and landed strikes at will. He looked great and bounced back from a quick takedown. Volkanovski did some damage, but I still had it Holloway 3-1 after four.
Volkanovski landed some bombs in the fifth, but Holloway showed an incredible chin and refused to drop. Volkanovski had three takedowns, but Holloway had no issues getting up quickly each time.
I had it Max 48-47, which one of the judges had it as well. The other two didn’t and the belt stayed put.
Kamaru Usman defends his UFC Welterweight Championship over Jorge Masvidal 49-46
Round one – Usman was able to grapple and take Masvidal down. But, the energy and crispness of Masvidals strikes couldn’t be denied. If Jorge can keep up this pace then the champ is in trouble.
Round two – Usman slowed it down, put Masvidal against the cage ad grinded and slow, boring but effective round to even it at 1-1.
Round three – Masvidal kept trying for a homerun shot, but Usman was smart. Stomping like Marco Ruas, using his shoulder like McGregor and doing excellent cage work like Randy Couture. 2-1 Easy for the champ.
Round Four – Usman is so smart, staying active enough against the cage for it not to get broken up. It wasn’t flashy, or even fun to watch, but it was effective. He is the champ for a reason. 3-1 Usman after 4.
Round Five – Usman reminds me just a bit of a GSP. Very similar style and it paid off tonight, weathering the early storm from Masvidal.
49-46, all Usman tonight.
