Printed on 18 Dec 2022 7:09 pm (UK Time)
Jared Cannonier and Sean Strickland every have their websites set on incomes a shot on the UFC Middleweight Championship belt. With that in thoughts, they entered their Saturday night matchup with the intent of creating their case in entrance of the world on the final UFC occasion of the 12 months. Every man put forth a valiant effort, however in the long run just one man could possibly be declared the winner. There’s quite a bit to unpack right here; with out additional ado, let’s get into it!
Cannonier vs. Strickland
Early in spherical one, Jared Cannonier and Sean Strickland started their essential occasion bout by throwing jabs in an try to attach and make an impression. Neither man skilled a excessive degree of success, so Cannonier determined to shake issues up by unleashing a kick in an try to assault Strickland’s midsection. Strickland was in a position to catch Cannonier’s leg in mid-air and drive him to the mat, scoring the primary takedown of the combat. It was essentially the most emphatic second of an in any other case uneventful spherical.
In spherical two, each males turned extra energetic and relied closely on strikes versus kicks or grappling. Essentially the most impactful strike got here courtesy of an overhand proper delivered by Cannonier that landed with an audible thud simply earlier than the ultimate bell of the spherical. In spherical three, Cannonier started touchdown a pleasant left jab, proper hook combo that did seen injury to Strickland’s face. He additionally discovered success by growing his ahead stress and forcing Strickland to combat off of his again leg.
Strickland elevated his exercise in spherical 4 and located success with jabs within the closing minute of the interval. Spherical 5 was an all out brawl, with each males forsaking protection in favor of looking for scoring alternatives. Out of all of the rounds, the ultimate interval was essentially the most tough to attain with each males laying all of it on the road. On the finish of the combat, Jared Cannonier was declared the winner through cut up choice.
Strickland was visibly upset by the choice however I don’t suppose he was robbed. Truthfully, this was an in depth combat and I’d be snug with both man being declared the winner. I consider Strickland misplaced this combat on account of his relative inactivity in rounds two and three. The opposite three rounds had been very shut however when there are two rounds that clearly go in a single fighter’s course, it’s tough to beat.
Whereas I don’t wish to be overly essential of the judges, I have to say that two of the scorecards had been questionable. One choose had Cannonier successful three out of 5 rounds for a 48 to 47 victory. Nonetheless, one other choose granted him a 49 to 46 victory and the opposite granted Strickland a 49 to 46 victory. If both of those fighters was granted a 3 rounds to 2 benefit, I may stay with that; however the truth that a choose gave Cannonier 4 out of 5 rounds and one other gave Strickland 4 out of 5 rounds calls into query what combat they had been viewing. This was an in depth combat and neither man ought to have misplaced by that vast of a margin on any official scorecard.
Tsarukyan vs. Ismagulov
This was a dominant efficiency by Arman Tsarukyan. He was in a position to rating takedowns in all three rounds and practically submitted Ismagulov in rounds two and three. When Tsarukyan’s unanimous choice victory was introduced, Ismagulov was visibly upset and stormed out of the octagon. Tsarukyan referred to as his identify a few instances to speak to him however Ismagulov wouldn’t flip round.
This heated change stems from the truth that each males are extremely ranked and have even sparred towards each other previously. They had been every having bother touchdown a combat, in order that they determined to combat each other. Ismagulov is an efficient striker however shouldn’t be an incredible grappler. Tsarukyan knew that from their time sparring collectively and exploited that data to his benefit throughout this combat. The light-weight division is extremely aggressive and Tsarukyan couldn’t take possibilities by permitting Ismagulov to really feel snug. Their friendship might be over after this combat, however the extremely aggressive nature of combined martial arts doesn’t allow one to worth friendship over enterprise.
Albazi vs. Costa
Flyweight prospects Amir Albazi and Alessandro Costa had been comparatively inactive within the first spherical of their bout. Albazi tried a takedown that resulted within the two males grappling alongside the facet of the cage, however he was finally unsuccessful in taking Costa to the mat. Nonetheless, he was in a position to efficiently execute the maneuver firstly of spherical two and dominate the interval by means of a considerable amount of floor management time.
After scoring one other takedown in spherical three, Albazi was unable to repeat the bottom management he loved within the earlier interval. Nonetheless, after Costa labored again to his ft, Albazi unleashed a viscous uppercut that knocked him out on affect. Referee Keith Peterson instantly stopped the combat. It was an emphatic third spherical knockout victory for Albazi!
Caceres vs. Erosa
Featherweight veteran Alex Caceres made fast work of Julian Erosa. Early in spherical one, he threw a left jab that missed however brought about Erosa to lean to his proper. Caceres then capitalized on the second and unleashed a left kick that landed on the facet of Erosa’s head, knocking him out on affect. Referee Herb Dean name an instantaneous cease to the combat. Alex Caceres is a battle examined veteran and his octagon savvy proven brightly with this properly executed maneuver!
Dober vs. Inexperienced
Within the first spherical of their light-weight bout, Bobby Inexperienced displayed superior quickness to Drew Dober, touchdown putting combos at will and even preventing together with his fingers down. Nonetheless, Dober displayed unimaginable toughness and refused to stop. He landed an attractive spinning backfist firstly of spherical two and adopted that up with an emphatic left hook that landed straight on Inexperienced’s jaw. Inexperienced crumpled to the mat, dazed and unable to proceed. It was a dramatic come-from-behind victory for Drew Dober!
Brundage vs. Oleksiejczuk
Middleweight challenger Cody Brundage executed a takedown towards Michal Oleksiejczuk from the opening moments of their bout. Nonetheless, Oleksiejczuk exhibited superior grappling abilities and was in a position to break away and set up dominant place. He then proceeded to pummel Brundage with a floor and pound assault that knocked him out chilly and brought about the combat to be stopped. Oleksiejczuk made essentially the most of his final alternative of 2022 with a formidable first spherical knockout victory!
Main Takeaways
Jared Cannonier acknowledged in his post-fight interview that he would really like a shot at reigning champion Alex Pereira as quickly as attainable. Whereas he and Strickland placed on a formidable combat, neither man appears able to dethroning Pereira. Pereira’s energy is immense and his capability to finish a combat with one flurry makes him harmful. Cannonier is an elite middleweight however Pereira and Adesanya seem like in a category by themselves at the moment.
What’s Subsequent
The UFC returns on January 14th of 2023 with one other version of Combat Evening from The Apex Middle in Las Vegas. The primary occasion of the night will function middleweight Nassourdine Imavov versus extremely revered veteran Kelvin Gastelum. As at all times, we’ll have all the most recent updates in regards to the outcomes of the fights, in addition to in depth evaluation obtainable proper right here at World in Sport!
Till subsequent time, handle yourselves, and one another.
