by the point Alex Pereira put the finishing touches on Israel Adesanya in the fifth circular of their middleweight title battle, it become clear that UFC 281 had been a fine looking particular card for the area's biggest MMA promotion. Two titles changed hands, Dustin Porier and Michael Chandler went to conflict, and Ryan Spann announced himself as a light heavyweight contender.
So, is there any cause the UFC shouldn't run Pereira vs. Adesanya lower back immediately? How speedy does Rose Namajunas get again into the strawweight title hunt now that Zhang Weili is champ? And is Erin Blanchfield a future contender for the women's flyweight belt?
To answer these questions—and a lot more—I'll be the usage of the classic Silva/Shelby combat reserving methodology from the UFC of years past. That ability pitting winners towards winners, losers against losers, and in a similar fashion tenured talent up towards one an extra. with a bit of luck, via following that model, a number of of these bout concepts will truly make it off the web page and into the Octagon. Now, let's get to the fights!
ALEX PEREIRAa fantastic third fight between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya ends with heritage repeating itself, seemingly in every way feasible. The 'final Stylebender' discovered first-rate success in the early levels of the bout, and even had Pereira harm badly sufficient that—had there been even just just a few extra seconds in round 1—he likely would have accomplished the Brazilian then and there. Heading into the fifth, Adesanya changed into up 3-to-1 on all cards. as long as he made it to the last bell standing, he would walk away with the belt nevertheless around his waist. however Pereira is an insanely dangerous man, and found an extra rush of aggression correct when he essential it.
happily for the now-former champ, despite the fact, while the metropolis Kickboxing superstar became in reality in danger within the combat's remaining moments, there's some controversy as to simply how harm he in reality changed into. Given, as neatly, Adesanya's prolonged and extremely successful reign as UFC title holder—and the insane amount of background between both guys—Pereira and the UFC can be fairly foolish to disregard an speedy rematch. Adesanya vs. Pereira II (IV???) appears like the battle the UFC has to make, mainly with Robert Whittaker already booked.
ZHANG WEILIThis was the type of battle that Rose Namajunas should have depended on herself to have with Esparza and didn't. Zhang Weili turned into fully fearless against the 'Cookie Monster', pushing ahead with aggression, firing kicks from latitude with abandon, and being absolutely perfectly ready to go at any place Esparza wanted to take the battle—and to out-work her once they obtained there. Esparza bought in on takedowns and acquired Zhang to the mat, but discovered somebody able to scramble and beat her to positions anytime she did. The outcome is a second round submission for 'Magnum' and her second stint with the belt.
Of direction, now that she has gold again, the elephant in the room is her two losses to Rose Namajunas. however along with her awful loss to Esparza past this year, 'Thug Rose' isn't exactly primed to be the excellent contender just for the time being. in its place, Amanda Lemos looks like the most enjoyable battle to make. a true energy-punching Brazilian who can challenge Zhang's tendency towards aggression with big counters. Let Namajunas go get one other win, then she'll be right lower back on the peak of the mountain. however Lemos vs. Zhang is the right title combat of the moment.
CARLA ESPARZAThis sort of battle changed into at all times going to be appropriate there anticipating Carla Esparza once she became champion again. She's obtained the work ethic and the technical wrestling ability of a very elite fighter, however she's just not a huge nor a magnificent athlete. And wrestling is the type of skill that really performs premiere when a fighter is greater and more desirable than the people they're working to out-battle. Esparza acquired her alternatives to take Zhang down several times, however her opponent certainly not let her cling position, and the culmination became a series of scrambles that slowly went further and further in opposition t her.
i used to be going to assert that Esparza may still rematch Marina Rodriguez, give the Brazilian a chance to win a controversial loss returned. however then I checked and saw that Esparza has under no circumstances fought Tecia Torres. They've been in the same division invariably, they're both pint-sized, even at one hundred fifteen. appears like a herbal reserving. Torres vs. Esparza is a combat that should have happened years ago.
DUSTIN POIRIERanother appropriate tier win for Dustin Poirier. It doesn't probably put him in line for a light-weight title shot, however it certainly maintains him correct there in the conversation. Poirier got rocked early, bought swarmed with wrestling and accurate control in circular two, and then gave the impression of he became in situation with a further takedown in round 3, appropriate unless he rolled through to finish up on right and found a method to Chandler's again within the scramble. That win lines Poirier up for either of two fights: Beneil Dariush or Rafael Fiziev. Dariush has said that he'll battle any and everyone on his quest for UFC gold, Poirier is most actually probably the most guys in his manner at this time. Dustin Poirier vs. Beneil Dariush could be an additional astonishing struggle. Let's make it take place.
MICHAEL CHANDLERan extra dazzling warfare for Michael Chandler, but one more losing effort to go along with it. reasonable play to him, he took the 'if you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin'' mantra to the intense this time around with a number of returned of the head shots, a couple brutal fishhooks, and maybe even a glove grab. however dropped now all the way down to 2-3 within the Octagon it's difficult no longer to think about that he's getting eager to discover these title dreams he's been protecting on to. With losses to Poirier, Gaethje, and Oliveira, that seems find it irresistible puts Chandler in a stunning tough spot to get again to contender status. Mateusz Gamrot is available striking around though, coming off that brutal loss to Beneil Dariush. If the choices are either that or a combat with RDA, then I've gotta decide on Gamrot vs. Chandler. He might additionally go winner loser with Rafael Fiziev, but that just looks find it irresistible'd be superio r with both men coming off a win. Gamrot vs. Chandler seems like the step lower back the former Bellator king wants.
CHRIS GUTIERREZAfter knocking out Frankie Edgar with an image excellent step knee early in circular one, Gutierrez seemed greater distraught than the former light-weight champion. That doubtless received't remaining long, besides the fact that children, as he's had an extended sluggish street to becoming a correct tier fighter and a tremendous KO over a former superstar on PPV should still be nearly as good a launching pad as he may hope to ask for to birth getting suitable tier bookings. Bouts with Pedro Munhoz, Adrian Yanez, tune Yadong, or Jonathan Martinez all look like they'd be decent alternate options for 'El Guapo' subsequent time he enters the Octagon. I don't comprehend why, however the idea of Gutierrez vs. Munhoz basically appeals. Munhoz has hit some complicated losses lately, however he's certain motion. A bout with Gutierrez looks just like the variety of step lower back he needs and the type of step up the Edgar win may still leading Gutierrez for. Gutie rrez vs. Munhoz seems just like the right combat for Gutierrez to try and continue his run to the excellent.
DAN HOOKER & RENATO MOICANOin most cases I are trying no longer to fit warring parties from the same card. It's lazy. but there's simply too an awful lot parity right here for me to ignore. each guys are former featherweights, both men have gone through some severe beatings of their career, and both guys appeared to locate renewed self belief and energy on Saturday evening. once a exact tier featherweight prospect, Moicano has been shopping challenging for a new id within the light-weight division after returned to lower back KOs from Jose Aldo and Chan Sung Jung despatched him packing at one hundred forty five. It hasn't come simply, however the man who confirmed up towards Brad Riddell at UFC 281 looked calm and controlled—sniping the previous kickboxer with deadly accuraccy, only to wrap him up like a backpack for the RNC victory.
in a similar fashion, Dan Hooker's troubles took him back to featherweight—if handiest for a moment—and straight into the ready fingers of Arnold Allen, who pummeled him relentlessly for two minutes and 33 seconds lower back in March. That marked the fourth loss in 5 fights for the 'Hangman', a vogue he grew to become right around towards Claudio Puelles. Puelles all started effective with an Imanari roll right into a leg-lock entanglement, and had Hooker in every kind of hindrance early. but, once the new Zealander fought his approach free from danger he put a significantly one-sided beating on the 'Prince of Peru'. The fruits is 2 guys regaining previous momentum, placing out at the edges of the light-weight elite. Moicano vs. Hooker is the ideal test to see which man can hold his unexpected success on target.
RYAN SPANNRyan Spann completely destroyed Dominick Reyes accessible. Reyes tried to go out and get a quick birth behind his jab and low kicks, however every single time he stepped into the pocket he walked correct onto a heavy Spann counter. just a few of these became all it took for 'Superman' to get the primary round knockout. After the fight, Spann well-nigh noted that he changed into trying to find a title shot, but with Blachowciz vs. Ankalaev booked as neatly, it continues to be to be considered if he's going to be the man foremost located to get a chance at gold.
I may argue for Spann vs. Krylov or for a rematch towards Anthony Smith (if Smith goes to come back again any time soon). in terms of decisive, high-caliber finishers that can give interesting fights, notwithstanding, it seems like there's a a whole lot greater evident choice striking appropriate available ready. Jamahal Hill has been on a tear of his own lately, with three straight KO victories. Hill vs. Spann could be an electric battle and it may just let the winner leap the queue over other, less-thrilling veteran contenders.
ERIN BLANCHFIELDThis turned into all the time going to be a tough combat for Molly McCann, but Erin Blanchfield made it seem like a reserving that shouldn't even have happened at all. 'bloodless Blooded' fully trounced the Scouser on her approach to a primary round submission that, on another night, would have carried a performance bonus with it. After the win, Blanchfield known as out Andrea Lee. It's a exceptional battle, would be enjoyable, feels very winnable for the 23-yr-old. however, in a division with so many alternatives, I don't see loads of rationale to move winner-loser here. basically, really, that's just as a result of Maycee Barber is placing out without a combat booked. Barber is on three straight wins, her newest a beautiful decent showing over Jessica Eye. Two young potentialities with lots of momentum? appears like a more captivating reserving within the second. Barber vs. Blanchfield has to happen sooner or later, might as neatly make it now.
different BOUTS: Claudio Puelles vs. Mark Madsen, Brad Riddell vs. Rafael Alves, Dominick Reyes vs. Dustin Jacoby, Molly McCann vs. Montana De La Rosa, Andre Petroski vs. Caio Borralho, Wellington Turman vs. Makhmud Muradov, Matt Frevola vs. Fares Ziam, Ottman Azaitar vs. Viacheslav Borshchev, Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Polyana Viana, Silvana Gomez Juarez vs. Diana Belbita, Michael Trizano vs. Shayilan Neurdanbieke, Choi Seung-woo vs. Daniel Pineda, Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos, Julio Arce vs. Casey Kenney, Carlos Ulberg vs. Alonzo Menifield, Nicolae Negumereanu vs. the Jung/Clark loser
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