Islam Makhachev is the new UFC Lightweight Champion. He put on a brilliant display beating Charles Oliveira by submission in round two following a knockdown. Islam’s striking was really impressive tonight out boxing Do Bronx. He’s finally made his own name and his own legacy. A deserved title win, a brilliant performance from the Dagestani and honestly, I don’t see who beats him. I’d love to see him face someone like Dariush for his first title defence instead of Volkanovski just yet but even then I think he’d be formidable against 95% of the people he’ll face. We’re in the era of Islam.
An awkward co-main event, where Aljamain Sterling retained his Bantamweight Title against TJ Dillashaw. TJ apparently came into the fight with a dislocated shoulder, which instantly popped out when the fight started. Somehow, through 5 minutes of pain, TJ survived with Aljo on his back. TJ’s corner was able to pop it back in during the rounds but it instantly popped out again. Aljo was able to get the victory after more ground and pound. This was a very awkward fight and I’d rather it be ended as soon as the shoulder popped the first time. Respect to TJ for trying to the end. It’s an unfortunate result in terms of the fight. I was expecting a five-round war.
YAN VS O’MALLEY!!!!! WHAT A FIGHT! These two put on a display, striking, and wrestling, especially from Yan and Sean definitely proved he can hang with the top guys. I heavily disagree with the result. I thought Yan clearly won 2-1. Hurt Sean constantly and did damage on the ground along with the control time. Even Sean looked as if he had accepted defeat. The fans are saying it was rigged as Sean is a big draw and I wouldn’t be surprised if this isn’t the case. I just don’t see how two people think Sean wins that fight. Let’s not let this take away from Sean’s performance. He showed tonight that he is one of the top guys in the world. As Sean is the new number-one contender and I can’t wait to see him face Aljamain Sterling.
Beneil Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot put on a grappling classic. Dariush retained his spot as the number six ranked lightweight in the world. Dariush’s takedown defence is incredible defending nearly all of Gamrot’s takedowns. With eight wins in a row, you’d think a title shot could be on the cards for Beneil.
Manon Fiorot beat Katlyn Chookagian by decision. A very close fight between the two women that could’ve gone either way. With that win, Fiorot puts herself in the hat with Talia Santos for a shot at Valentina Shevchenko. I’d personally like to see Talia get another shot. She was so close to beating Valentina, who before UFC 275, seemed unstoppable at Flyweight.
Belal Muhammad pulls off the upset again. After a slow first minute or two, Muhammad put the pressure on the previously undefeated Sean Brady for the rest of the first round and continued it into the second, where he consistently hurt Brady before the referee saw enough and called the fight as Brady wasn’t defending. Great performance from Belal, who is now on an eight-fight win streak. He clearly deserves top-five opposition next.
The rest of the prelims were pretty much a bore-fest. Mo Mokaev got another win by submission in round three in a good grappling affair with Malcolm Gordon and the first round of Volkan Oezdemir vs Nikita Krylov was fun, but the rest of the fight was very slow and meandering.
The main card was mixed with highs and lows for me. Whilst O’Malley vs Yan was an all-time classic the judging leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Dariush vs Gamrot was brilliant and so was Islam.
However, the co-main was disappointing due to TJ’s injury and the opening fight between Chookagian and Fiorot lacked the quality I expected to be honest.
Overall, I’d rate it 5.5/10.
TheWrestlingFallacy 