Amanda
Nunes is once again the
Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s bantamweight champion
after dispatching Julianna
Pena in the main event of UFC
277.
Showing no fear, Pena (11-5) came out looking to strike against “Lioness.” However, it was Nunes (22-5) fighting out of southpaw
that was finding success early as she was able to land right hooks
when “The Venezuelan Vixen” rushed in. Early in Round 2, Nunes
would floor Pena with a right hand and do the same shortly
afterward after the champion rushed in. A huge left hand would once
again put down Pena to cement a dominant second frame. Pena would
find some success early in the first round, but the champion was
taken down and bloodied by punches and elbows.
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Going into the championship rounds, Pena was told by her corner
that she needed a finish if she was going to retain the
bantamweight title. However, the Brazilian easily took Nunes down
and continued to do damage from top control. Pena would attempt a
shocking armbar that looked like it was completely locked in, but
Nunes was able to escape and proceeded to bring down elbows. A
bloodied Pena was once again taken down to start the final round.
Submission threats from “The Venezuelan Vixen” helped her get up
momentarily, but the fight was once again put on the floor as Pena
ate more elbows. After 25 grueling minutes, Nunes won the
bantamweight championship for the second time and took a unanimous
decision with scores of 50-44, 50-44 and 50-43 in her favor. Nunes is now 13-1 in her last 14 fights inside the Octagon.
Moreno Wins Interim Flyweight Gold
The interim flyweight championship was on the line as former
champion Brandon
Moreno took on Kai Kara
France.
Moreno (20-6-2), who defeated “Don’t Blink” back in 2019, was on
the receiving end of a low blow early on and neither fighter was
able to put the other in danger. However, it was “The Assassin
Baby” that was generally a step ahead on the feet with Moreno’s jab
dictating the action. Kara France (24-10) would start finding more
success early in the third frame with him able to ground Moreno
during a scramble and open up a cut on the right cheek of the
Mexican fighter. However, a perfectly-placed liver kick from Moreno
floored Kara France and a series of punches prompted the stoppage
from Herb
Dean at 4:34 of Round 3.
Moreno is now on yet another collision course against flyweight
champion Deiveson
Figueiredo, who he is 1-1-1 against.
Pavlovich Rocks Lewis, Gets Questionable Stoppage
Derrick
Lewis returned to the Octagon against rising heavyweight
Sergei
Pavlovich but it didn’t end in his favor.
“The Black Beast” came out swinging but it was Pavlovich that
rocked Lewis (26-10, 1 NC) first with a counter right hook.
Pavlovich started landing uppercuts and kept connecting with
punches. Lewis would fall down due to blows and was in the process
of getting back up when the fight was stopped after just 55
seconds. Lewis complained of the stoppage and the replay showed
that many of the final punches missed their mark.
Pavlovich advances to 16-1 with the win, which is blemished by a
premature stoppage.
Pantoja Quickly Submits Perez
Alexandre
Pantoja made quick work of fellow flyweight contender Alex
Perez.
Pantoja (25-5) got off to a quick start and blitzed Perez (24-7).
After tripping Perez, “The Cannibal” was able to take the back and
began searching for a rear-naked choke. While he wasn’t able to get
under the neck, Pantoja did secure a neck crank. Unable to escape,
the American tapped at just 1:31 of the first round.
Pantoja has now won three straight fights inside the Octagon.
Ankalaev Dispatches Injured Smith
The pay-per-view kicked off with a light heavyweight bout between
surging prospect Magomed
Ankalaev against former title contender Anthony
Smith.
The bout stopped off slow with Ankalaev (17-1) largely controlling
the opening frame with leg and body kicks. Smith (36-17) complained
between rounds of an ankle injury and was desperate to take the
fight to the ground in Round 2. After pulling guard to bring the
fight to the ground, Ankalaev unloaded with ground-and-pound until
the fight was stopped at the 3:09 mark.
After the fight, Smith said that his leg was broken.
Continue Reading »
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