UFC Fight Night 1/20/2021 Review

Omari Akhmedov vs. Tom Breese

Middleweight Fight

This fight started at a million miles an hour.  Breese went for a guillotine as soon as the fight started, but Akhmedov slipped out of it.  The rest of the first round was trading submission attempts and Akhmedov having a chance to pound Breese into oblivion.  The second round went to the ground fast as well and after Ahkmedov escaped the heel hook Breese went for he fought for top position and hooked in an arm triangle choke until Breese tapped out.  This was an awesome tone setter for a show at an odd time.

Result: 2nd Round Submission for Omari Akhmedov (Arm Triangle Choke)

Rating: 9/10

Lerone Murphy vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade

Featherweight Fight

The first round was a lot of feeling out and looking for an opening to score a knockout that was more or less back and forth.  The second round started with dueling attempts at submissions.  They then kept up the intensity of the first round and threw a lot of hands while looking for that big shot.  This fight was fast and furious and tough to make a call on at times.  I’d give a slight edge to Murphy as he seemed to be in more of a zone that Silva de Andrade.

Result: Unanimous Decision for Lerone Murphy

Rating: 8.5/10

Matt Schnell vs. Tyson Nam

Flyweight Fight

This was a very close fight that was hard to make judgement calls on.  They may call this an “appearance” fight.  Matt Schnell himself even said in his post fight interview “Look at my face, look at his.”  That was probably a big factor in determining the result, but this was a very close contest.

Result: Split Decision for Matt Schnell

Rating: 7.5/10

Roxanne Modafferi vs. Viviane Araujo

Women’s Flyweight Fight

This fight probably shouldn’t have gone to a decision, but it did.  Madafferi just didn’t seem ready for this one.  Araujo had an answer for everything and was always in attack mode.  She had submission opportunities and chances to put Modafferi out with a KO, but she just couldn’t finish her.  Araujo is climbing the ladder to a title shot.

Results: Unanimous Decision for Viviane Araujo

Rating: 8/10

Ike Villanueva vs. Vinicius Moreira

Light Heavyweight Fight

Hurricane Ike certainly made landfall in Abu Dhabi.  This fight had some potential to go back and forth, but Villanueva simply took control and jumped on a great opportunity.  Villanueva is the kind of likeable guy that can make UFC some good money and potentially be a competitor for the title in the Light Heavyweight division which needs guys right now.

Result: 2nd Round KO for Ike Villanueva

Rating: 8.5/10

Warlley Alves vs. Mounir Lazzez

Welterweight Fight

The hometown boy couldn’t pull this one off.  Alves had a plan to run right through his opponent.  It was simple and effective.  Alves threw some devastating kicks to finish off the fight until the ground and pound got the ref involved.  Alves got a big time win and a moment in the sun.

Result: First round KO for Warlley Alves

Rating: 8/10

Main Event

Michael Chiesa vs. Neil Magny

Welterweight Fight

This fight was a great showing of expectations vs reality.  Magny was expecting a slugfest, and I think Chiesa knew that, so he took the fight to the ground and kept top position as best he possibly could.  That’s tough enough in any case, but for 25 minutes is truly impressive.  Magny will get another shot, but it seems he needs a little more time on the ground.

Result: Unanimous Decision for Michael Chiesa

Rating: 7.5/10

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