Max
Holloway once again proved his legitimacy as the second-best
featherweight in the world after finishing the indestructible
Chan
Sung Jung in the
UFC Fight Night 225 main event at Singapore’s Indoor
Stadium.
For years Holloway (25-7) and “Korean Zombie” have circled each
other as potential opponents in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight division. Despite
Jung’s decline in age, the Zombie’s high-octane, all-guts style
brought out the violence in the blessed one.
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Holloway came out poised and patient as usual but seemed shocked by
the spring in the Zombie’s step. Jung (17-8) landed several hard
shots and forced Holloway to sit on his punches and trade. After
the first round, it was clear that it wasn’t going to be a walk in
the park for the UFC’s No. 1 ranked featherweight contender.
Heading into the second round, Holloway looked to put Zombie away
and nearly did after dropping him with a hard right hand. Holloway
pounced on the choke, but Jung’s blank, expressionless demeanor
carried him through the next round.
Knowing that he was down on the scorecards, Zombie went for broke
in Round 3. He recklessly came out charging Holloway and landed
multiple hard blows before Holloway shifted into southpaw
and put in down for good with a wicked lead hook. The
fight was officially stopped 23 seconds into the third round.
Post-fight, Holloway showered praise for the MMA legend and gave
attention to his loved ones in Hawaii dealing with the devastating
Maui wildfires. Sensing his time was up after 25 epic fights, “Korean Zombie” retired in the Octagon.
Smith Edges Spann
Light heavyweight staples Anthony
Smith and Ryan Spann’s
rivalry entered its second chapter in the co-main event and didn’t
disappoint. After splitting the first two rounds, Smith and Spann
fought down the wire until Smith was ultimately given the nod by a
razor-thin split decision (29-28, 28-29, 28-29).
At 35, Smith still looks like one of the sharpest light
heavyweights in the world. In round 1, Lionheart peppered Spann
with jabs and picked his shots wisely. All that would change in the
next round.
Feeling the pressure to step it up, Spann showcased his
fight-ending power in round two and nearly put Smith to sleep.
Superman landed a crushing left hook that quickly closed Smith’s
eye. Before the final round, the ringside doctor examined Smith and
granted him the opportunity to continue.
Smith (37-18, 12-8 UFC) took advantage and traded back and forth
with Spann to close out the fight. The arena was silent as the
scorecards were announced. The fight could’ve gone either way, but
Smith’s quick sharp shots were just enough to edge out Spann’s
otherworldly power.
Chikadze Outstrikes Caceres
No. 9 ranked featherweight Giga
Chikadze successfully rebounded from his first UFC loss with a
solid test in Alex
Caceres (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). Coming in, Chikadze was known to
be the more polished striker but the awkward timing and unique
style of “Bruce Leeroy” gave Chikadze trouble at times.
The bout was well-matched, with both men having their moments, but
Chikadze’s power was a clear difference in the fight. While
Cacerers flicked his shots, Chikadze’s blows landed with a thud,
and it gave him an advantage in exchanges. In all, Chikadze got
back on track against another talented featherweight.
Now back in the winning column, Chikadze (15-3, 8-1) wants to cap
off the year with his first appearance on a pay-per-view card.
Nakamura Shines Against Garcia
Rinya
Nakamura could be one of the most well-rounded prospects that
the bantamweight division has seen in a while, and he proved that
in a dominant display over tough journeyman Fernie
Garcia (30-26, 30-27, 30-27).
Nakamura had his way with Garcia all day and nearly finished him on
several occasions. Whether it was an arm triangle, armbar, kimura,
etc. Nakamura threatened Garica with submission attempt after
attempt but couldn’t be the first man to finish the stubborn
Garcia.
Having improved to 8-0 (4-0 UFC), Nakamura’s rise up the
bantamweight radar is certain, but who will be the first man in the
top 15 to give him a test?
Blanchfield Rallies Past Santos
UFC women’s flyweight boogeywoman Erin
Blanchfield passed one of the toughest tests in her career in
former title challenger Taila
Santos (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). After securing her ninth straight
win, Blanchfield called for a title shot against the winner of
Alexa
Grasso and Valentina
Shevchenko, but there’s still room for improvement before
Blanchfield (12-1, 6-0 UFC) takes her shot at the gold.
Santos (19-3, 4-3 UFC), who last fought for the belt in June 2022,
looked sharp in round one and cracked Blanchfield with several hard
shots. Blanchfield, a submission specialist, forced her takedown
attempts and was met with flush right hands whenever she tried to
storm Santos against the cage.
Blanchfield turned the tide in round two as her superior gas tank
began to take over. Blanchfield secured ground control and drained
Santos of most of her energy. Heading into round three, both
fighters were tired, but Blanchfield was clearly fresher. Santos’
sharp counters from round one were few and frequent as “Cold
Blooded” brought the pressure. Blanchfield and Santos slugged it
out for the final 10 seconds and left the fans in Singapore wanting
even more. It was an impressive showing from Santos coming off a
14-month layoff, but Blanchfield’s gas tank and high-level
grappling once again proved why she’s one of the most dangerous
title contenders in the sport.
Tafa Steamrolls Porter
The prelims delivered all the violent action you could want, and
knockout artist Junior Tafa
carried that energy into the main card. Tafa (5-1, 1-1 UFC)
starched Parker
Porter early in the first round of their heavyweight clash
with an elbow from the otherworld.
Tafa wasted little time walking down Porter (13-9, 4-4 UFC) and
showed impressive technique in the clinch. “The Juggernaut” was
violent, sharp and proficient in his first showing since his first
career loss to Mohammed
Usman last April. After falling short on the cards to Usman,
Tafa left no doubt and left Porter flat on his face a mere 1:24
into the opening round.
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