The 286th Numbered Ultimate Fighting Tournament has died down in London championship (UFC). As part of the British show, the welterweight division belt remained with the former owner, while a tough American stood in line for the Russian champion Islam Makhachev.
Edwards suffered a victory over UsmanA beautiful finale of an eight-year confrontation. And a beautiful place for a climax: the fighters fought twice in the States, on the territory of Kamaru Usman (in 2015, everything ended with the victory of the American by unanimous decision of the judges, and last summer, Leon Edwards took revenge by knocking out his opponent a minute before the end of the title fight). Now it's time for the Nigerian Nightmare to test himself in the lair of the enemy.
«Rocky», a native of Jamaica from Birmingham, defended the UFC title for the first time. And right away in the native stands of London's O2 Arena, chanting «Headshot is dead!»
But the main event has started… And the fans seem to have moved to August, when the welterweights shared the octagon for the second time. The Nigerian Nightmare also worked as the first number, chasing the “champ” around the octagon. And Leon acted just as successfully at a distance in search of an opportunity for another knockout hit.
So passed all five rounds. The champion was extremely passive and «dirty» (cling to the opponent's net and gloves, hitting the groin), and the challenger Usman seemed to be able, but did not develop the advantage. Transfers to the ground did not cause any damage, and successful combinations in the rack quickly faded away. The once-dominant champion was shattered by that knockout, it's obvious — it remains a question if Kamaru will return to his previous level after two defeats in a row.
As for Leon, who still took the trilogy, his unbeaten streak reached 12 fights. Impressive statistics! But I don’t want to congratulate the champion on today’s success: both victories over the Nigerian Nightmare are seen as accidental (Saturday’s Victoria can even be considered a “gift” from the referees), and a meeting with conditional Khamzat Chimaev or Colby Covington will throw Leon off the top.
Rocky will have to prove the injustice of such reasoning in the second half of 2023.
Gati barely defeated FizievThe attention of domestic fans was riveted to the Azerbaijani Rafael Fiziev. The lightweight went on a series of six victories and finally knocked out a meeting with the American Justin Gaethje, Khabib Nurmagomedov's last opponent. The show's co-main event in London was promised to be «fight of the year» as both brawlers are always chasing after a knockout and a $50k bonus.
Shock. The duel of «ideal partners for dancing» lasted all three rounds, in which there were many exchanges and there was practically no fight. «Ataman» Fiziev impressed. He seemed to be taking the win. However, the ending remained with the representative of the United States, who turned on at the end of 12 minutes, interrupted his opponent on experience and ended the fight with a clean face. Unlike Rafael, who was covered in blood… By majority decision, the victory went to Highlight, who successfully started the third campaign for the title.
Fiziev, despite the interrupted winstreak, will remain in the title race. Subject to one spectacular victory, Rafa will again declare himself as a legitimate contender for Makhachev's belt.
According to the results of UFC 286, the fight between Gaethje and Fiziev was recognized as the «Best Fight of the Night».
What else do you remember about the show in London?
- Another victory for the Briton of Dagestan origin Muhammad Mokaev. The Punisher almost fell for a painful hold from the Brazilian Jafel Filho, giving his opponent a leg (the knee miraculously did not break), but endured and eventually threw a choke on the tired debutant of the league. The unbeaten Mokaev already has four victories in the UFC — the guy pressed on the gas and rushes to the top of the lightest division.
- Controversial defeat of Georgian Roman Dolidze. The middleweight from Batumi definitely did not lose to the ex-title contender Marvin Vettori, but the judges gave the victory to the Italian. The referees continue to surprise, and we can only state that Dolidze's four-game winning streak has been interrupted.
- The coolest debut of Yanal Ashmoz from Israel. The Red Fox knocked out local fighter Sam Patterson in the first round and brought his record to 7-0 (six stoppage wins). Ashmoz is definitely worth watching, because the unbeaten lightweight gives the fans a show… And he fights in the Makhachev division!