UFC 254

Main Card

Dagestan Done it Again

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba

Light Heavyweight Fight

Ankalaev has done it again, continuing the impressive modern legacy of fighters from the Russian province of Dagestan. Cutelaba talked a lot of trash in this fight, even walking up to Ankalaev during the introductions and did a “cut his throat” motion. It didn’t work out, Ankalaev caught Cutelaba with a monstrous left hand. Unfortunately it was a TKO as the ref needed follow ups to call for a finish. Ankalaev has carved out quite the spot for himself. The new champ needs a challenger, we might have a contender.

Rating: 8/10

Result: 1st Round TKO for Magomed Ankalaev

Murphy’s Law

Lauren Murphy vs. Liliya Shakirova

Women’s Flyweight Fight

This was a different Lauren Murphy. She had everything under control, Shakirova didn’t look ready for her, she never seemed to take a step forward. Murphy seemed to yell to the building that she was the true number 1 contender in the Flyweight division. Maybe she’ll continue her tour of Eastern Europe and go after a fighter from Kyrgyzstan after she beat a fighter from Uzbekistan.

Rating: 8/10

Result: 2nd Round Submission for Lauren Murphy

18 Seconds

Jacob Malkoun vs. Phillip Hawes

Middleweight Fight

This fight took 18 seconds. Hawes caught Malkoun early and finished it. Not much to break down here. Always happy to see another American guy making his way up the ladder. Give Phil a big fight, he can handle it.

Rating: 9/10

Result: 1st Round KO for Phillip Hawes

Boring is Better

Alexander Volkovc vs. Walt Harris

Heavyweight Fight

This fight didn’t seem to have much to it. Walt seemed to be a step behind. Alex accidentally poked Harris in the eye and Walt never fully recovered from it. Volkovc took advantage of every opening that he had. The ref seemed to stop the fight after a liver shot with a couple follow ups.

Rating: 7/10

Result: 2nd Round TKO for Alexander Volkovc

Still #1

Robert Whittaker vs. Jarred Cannonier

Middleweight Fight

This was a fantastic fight. Cannonier showed some serious commitment. Whittaker should have finished this fight early in the 3rd after controlling it for the majority of the time. Cannonier fought off a finish and almost had a moment where he could finish the fight himself. Whittaker kept his number 1 spot intact, and he knows he has to keep it up, as he needs a couple more before he gets a shot to take back his gold from Adesanya.

Rating: 8.5/10

Result: Unanimous Decision for Robert Whittaker

Main Event

The Greatest of All Time

Lightweight Championship Fight

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje

This fight proved to me what I already personally knew. All due respect to Anderson Silva, GSP, Daniel Cormier and Randy Couture, but Khabib Nurmagomedov is the greatest fighter of all time. He is completely unstoppable in every fight that he’s won. He mentioned in his post fight interview that this was his last fight in UFC after he put his gloves down in the middle of the octagon, if this truly is it for Khabib, we should all be thrilled we got to watch the G.O.A.T.

Rating: 8.5/10

Result: 2nd Round Submission (Arm Triangle) for Khabib Nurmagomedov

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