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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