Up to date:
Jan 15, 2023
Most athletes who take a struggle on six days discover would undergo from severe conditioning points all through the course of the bout. Nonetheless, Sean Strickland is a uncommon breed. Competing within the Mild Heavyweight division for the primary time in his profession, Strickland didn’t solely compete at a excessive stage, he delivered one of the vital full performances on the principle card of UFC Vegas 67. There’s rather a lot to unpack right here; with out additional ado, let’s get into it!
Strickland vs. Imavov
Nassourdine Imaavov entered his struggle towards Sean Strickland because the slight favourite in accordance with the chances makers in Las Vegas. That was partly attributable to the truth that Imavov had a full coaching camp to organize whereas Strickland was a final minute substitution. Nonetheless, Strickland was the aggressor in spherical one. He utilized ahead strain and compelled Imavov to struggle off of his heels all the spherical. It was a formidable show of tenacity from a fighter who headlined a most important card lower than a month in the past.
Each fighters had been comparatively cautious in spherical two, however Strickland was extra lively. Essentially the most important second got here when Strickland executed a pleasant stage change takedown halfway via the interval. Nonetheless, Imavov was not harm and bounced again to his ft shortly. In spherical three, Strickland took his foot off the gasoline and gave the impression to be gaining a second wind. Though there was much less footwork on show, each fighter managed to land some well-timed jabs. In spherical 4, Strickland continued his hanging acumen, finally opening up a minimize underneath Imavov’s proper eye.
Going into spherical 5, it was apparent that Strickland was profitable the struggle. Nonetheless, Imavov refused to give up. He threw extra punches than he had in another spherical and located success touchdown to the physique. Strickland responded with a number of strikes of his personal; it was probably the most entertaining spherical of the struggle. Finally, Strickland was awarded a unanimous choice victory by the judges. The choice was a simple one however Imavov shouldn’t be discouraged. This was the primary 5 spherical struggle of his profession and his first time competing in the principle occasion. He’ll undoubtedly obtain extra alternatives sooner or later.
Ige vs. Jackson
Featherweight veteran Dan Ige desperately wished to get again into the win column tonight. Halfway via spherical one, it appeared that he inadvertently poked Damon Jackson within the eye. The struggle was paused however the replay revealed that Ige didn’t poke Jackson within the eye; his open hand had scraped throughout Jackson’s face and the palm of his glove went throughout Jackson’s open eye. Nonetheless, the ordeal seamed to agitate Ige who fought extra fervidly for the rest of the spherical.
Halfway via spherical two, Jackson threw a lunging left jab that missed badly. Ige correctly sidestepped the ill-timed strike and landed a left hook of his personal. The maneuver was timed completely and Jackson was knocked out on impression. It was a dramatic second spherical knockout victory for Dan Ige!
Soriano vs. Kopylov
Middleweight challenger Punahele Soriano tried a takedown within the first fifteen seconds of his bout towards Roman Kopylov. Kopylov was capable of keep away from the maneuver and started touchdown punches off of his again leg whereas Soriano utilized ahead strain. With 45 seconds left within the spherical, Kopylov executed a profitable takedown of his personal, solidifying the truth that the spherical belonged to him.
Soriano employed the identical technique in spherical two; nevertheless, an excellent mixture by Kopylov left Soriano visibly harm. Kopylov took a second to assemble his breath after which walked to the middle of the octagon. Soriano pursued him however was once more met with a barrage of punches. This time the mixture rendered Soriano defenseless and the referee was left with no alternative however to step in and cease the struggle. Roman Kopylov is one to observe within the Middleweight division!
Vieira vs. Pennington
Bantamweight veterans Ketlen Vieira and Raquel Pennington engaged in an in depth struggle that would have gone both method. In spherical one, Vieria used her peak benefit to maintain Pennington on the surface with the jab. Nonetheless, Pennington was the extra lively fighter in rounds two and three and loved extra physique management time. Though her takedown makes an attempt had been unsuccessful, her potential to make Vieira uncomfortable whereas grappling alongside the facet of the cage swung the momentum in her favor. For her efforts, Pennington was awarded a cut up choice victory.
Nurmagomedov vs. Barcelos
Rising Bantamweight star Umar Nurmagomedov made fast work of Raoni Barcelos tonight. Early within the spherical, there was an unintentional conflict of heads, after which Nurmagomedov may very well be heard screaming “don’t head butt me,” within the path of his opponent! When the 2 fighters met in an in depth change shortly thereafter, Nurmagomedov gave Barcelos a left knee to the midsection adopted by a left hook to the jaw. The punch knocked Barcelos out on impression. Nurmagomedov is a future contender within the Bantamweight division!
Main Takeaways
Though Sean Strickland’s aspirations of turning into the UFC Middleweight Champion had been derailed by struggling two consecutive losses on the finish of 2022, his comeback struggle tonight speaks volumes about who he’s as a fighter. Tonight’s efficiency makes him the primary fighter in UFC historical past to take part in two consecutive most important occasions. Even when he by no means wins a title, that could be a distinction he’ll probably maintain for the foreseeable future.
What’s Subsequent
The world’s most famous combined martial arts group returns subsequent week with UFC 283 from Brazil. Glover Teixeira, a local Brazilian, will meet Jamahal Hill for the Mild Heavyweight title. The co-main occasion of the night options the fourth showdown between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno for the Flyweight Championship belt. You received’t wish to miss it! As at all times, we’ll have all the most recent updates concerning 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.
