Ivan OrekhovCorrespondent SportAll materialsThe fight, which claimed the title of «Fight of the Year», disappointed. And this is to put it mildly … Instead of a knockout — sleeping pills for fans Hopes for the main event of the 270th numbered UFC tournament were high. After all, two of the best heavyweights in the world #right now went to the octagon, one of which has the strongest punch and simply knocks the soul out of his opponents, and the other boasts a perfect 10-0 record and an impeccable combat arsenal that allowed Cyril Gan to make his way from amateur MMA before the fight for the title of the absolute champion of the UFC. Almost an impeccable arsenal. View this post on Instagram
As it turned out, the skills of the «Good Guy» were not enough to eliminate the final boss. Francis Ngannou laid low on a former sparring partner and eliminated a threat to his heavyweight dominance. All 25 minutes the main characters of the evening were cautious and did not go for a knockout. And if they were revealed, then the attacks were far from those «bombs» that brought Ngannu millions of views in social networks. The third and fourth rounds became decisive. Francis' takedowns (4-1 in transfers) and size advantage (+4.5 kg) were an impossible task for Gan and his coach Fernando Lopez, who were not ready for such champion tactics. View this post on Instagram
However, if the takedown trick worked in MMA, then how is Ngannou going to beat Tyson Fury, whom he has been dreaming of for six months?
"What's next? Like I said, boxing has always been what I want to do. I don’t intend to shelve the idea of a boxing fight", insists Ngannou, who has lost all interest in both Jon Jones and the rest of the UFC tops.
And it doesn’t matter that the Predator has no chance against the Gypsy Baron from the words «absolutely». But there will be a check not for 500-600 thousand dollars, which the UFC star already seems like a handout.* * *Reaction to Jones' fight p>"If this is the pinnacle of heavyweight fighting, I'm absolutely thrilled, so there are still many records to be broken. But everyone was so excited about the new guy. Laugh! I'll eventually fuck them both".
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Figueredo and Moreno are ready for the tetralogy Fortunately for the fans, the co-main event saved the tournament poster. While the heavyweights were turning circles around the octagon, “flyers” Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueredo successfully completed the trilogy, not being afraid to cut in the rack and fly off into knockdowns. thoughtless exchanges, but skillfully worked «on the opponent» and scored points thanks to work on the ground. It was the gameplay that played a decisive role in the third confrontation of equal opponents — Figueredo sent the champion to the canvas three times, deservedly returned the belt and (not surprisingly) spoke about the desire to have a fourth fight with the first UFC champion from Mexico. “I’m ready to have a fourth fight in Mexico. Life will always try to bring you to your knees, Brandon, but don’t give up! the plot looks logical: the fighters parted ways and exchanged victories (1-1), so the decisive felling is yet to come… In the meantime, look at the crazy emotions of the old-new champion: View this post on Instagram
Said Nurmagomedov did not let the American fight. A simple one and a half years long, a stylistically uncomfortable opponent. Both factors could become a serious obstacle for the Russian Said Nurmagomedov on the way to the fourth victory in the UFC. In fact, Khabib's namesake did not notice the arguments of the experts, because Cody Stamenn did not seem to leave the locker room! The representative of the United States, having dealt only one blow, already at the 47th second knocked after a ruthless guillotine from our athlete. An easy «walk» in Anaheim allows Said to conduct a new fight in the shortest possible time and extend the winning streak to three triumphs in a row. It seems that in the already sparkling names of the lightest division, there is one more threat. View this post on Instagram
Remaining fight results:
- —Michel Pereira after 15 minutes of cutting with Andre Fialho left the octagon as the winner (unanimous decision);
- —Michael Morales got the better of Trevin Giles (TKO in the first round);
- —Victor Henry defeated Raoni Barcelos by unanimous decision;
- —Jack Della Maddalena defeated Pete Rodriguez (TKO, first five minutes);
- —Tony Gravely defeated Simon Oliveira (unanimous decision);
- —Matt Frevola dealt with Genaro Valdez (TKO in the first round);
- —Jasmine Jasudavičius defeated Kea Hansen (unanimous decision);
- —Vanessa Demopoulos choke Silvana Juarez in fight debut.
BonusesFight of the Night: Moreno vs. Figueiredo;Performance of the evening: Nurmagomedov, De mopoulos.