Alexander Volkanovsky celebrates victory in UFC 290. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The historic UFC 290 It will forever be remembered by MMA fans. Of the 13 fights scheduled for the T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas (USA), only four made it to the judges' sheets, with highlights being the belt fights that ended with victories of Alexander Volkanovsky e Alexandre pantoja, in addition to the consolidation of a new challenger in the middleweight division (up to 83,9kg). O SUPER FIGHTS brings a summary of the spectacular event held last Saturday (08).
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Volkanovski x Rodriguez
The featherweight division (up to 65,7kg) continues to have an absolute champion and, apparently, he is not likely to be dethroned anytime soon. In the unification of the belts against the Mexican Yair Rodriguez, Volkanovski dominated the fight from start to finish, overcoming the interim champion's greater size and with greater power and knowing the right time to get the takedowns.
In the third round, Volkanovski put Yair down and with a powerful ground and pound, made the Mexican stay in a fetal position and without defense, forcing the referee to stop the fight Since May 2013, only Islam makhachev managed to have his hand raised after sharing the cage with the Australian. The featherweight champion continues to terrorize the 65,7kg division and now he must have the Spaniard Ilia Topuria, who faced him as he left the octagon, as his next rival.
Moreno x Pantoja
A. Pantoja celebrates winning the UFC belt (Photo: Instagram/@ufc)
Just 28 days after the retirement of Amanda nunes, Brazil once again had a UFC belt. The clash valid for the flyweight belt involved an old rivalry between Brandon Moreno e Alexandre pantoja, with a favorable record of two victories in favor of the Brazilian fighter.
Inside the octagon, Moreno worked with volume and speed in a very high level of boxing, which left Pantoja stunned and unable to keep up with the pace. Willing not to let the belt slip away, Alexandre began to attack with more power and invest in takedowns. Even with the difficulty of keeping Moreno pinned to the ground, the falls helped punctuate the rounds in favor of the Brazilian in moments of balance.
In the end, Pantoja won in a split decision, with two judges scoring 48-47 in favor of the Brazilian. However, judge Ben Cartlidge scored an absurd and unbelievable 49-46 for Moreno, which shocked fans and the specialized press, even after Pantoja's triumph.
On the overall score: 3×0 for Pantoja. And the question that doesn't want to be silenced is: 'CPF in the note, Moreno?
Whittaker x Du Plessis
D. Du Plessis vibrates after knocking out R. Whittaker (Photo: Instagram/@ufc)
Before the UFC 290, the South African Dricus Du Plessis was an underdog in the bookmakers at a ratio of 4 to 1. However, it cannot be denied that the mission was quite complicated: since February 2014, still in the welterweight division (up to 77,1kg), Robert whittaker had only been defeated on two occasions and to the same man: the Nigerian Israel adesanya.
Inside the octagon, Du Plessis proved that it is no longer a promise but a reality. The South African did not fear the former champion and brutalized Whittaker with a knockout in the third round, shocking the audience at the T-Mobile Arena. Dricus not only defeated an important middleweight gatekeeper (up to 83,9kg), but also guaranteed himself as the current champion's next rival Israel adesanya, who went up to the octagon to face him at the end of the fight.
Other highlights of the card
Robbie Lawler retired in UFC 290. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Opening the main card, BoNickal did not take notice of the newcomer Val Woodburn. Even though he is a prospect known for his wrestling, Nickal threw two crosses in a row. The first one hit the Jamaican. The second made him go for a knockdown and before the North American even thought about the coup de grace, the referee stepped in and stopped the fight, guaranteeing the rising star's second victory in two fights in Ultimate.
At the end of the preliminary card, the former welterweight champion (up to 77,1kg) Robbie Lawler he thrilled fans from the moment he entered the Octagon. Making his last fight as a professional in the sport, 'Ruthless' was honored in the week of UFC 290 and had previously secured his place in the organization's Hall of Fame.
Inside the octagon, Lawler continued to thrill the fans and ended his career in the best style…ROBBIE LAWLER. With just 39 seconds, the North American landed an upper followed by a right blow on Niko Price, who immediately fell with his knees bent to the floor. The audience at the T-Mobile Arena went crazy with the knockout and with the images of the best moments of Lawler's career, which were broadcast on the gym's big screen and made the former champion cry once again.
Best preliminary card of recent times?
V. Petrino smiles after finishing M. Prachnio (Photo: Twitter/@ufc)
The preliminary card of UFC 290 It can already be considered one of the best in recent years, even better than many main cards of other events. Of the eight fights in the first part of the show, six ended in knockouts or submissions and those that went to the judges' decision also left fans standing in the arena or on the sofa at home.
The undefeated South African's performances deserve to be highlighted Cameron Saaiman, who knocked out the debutant Terrence Mitchell in the first round, in a duel in the bantamweight division (up to 61,2kg). The Brazilians Victor Petrino e Denise Gomes They also put on a show in their fights and helped maintain the 100% invincibility of Tupiniquin athletes on the fight card. UFC 290.
Vitor dominated the Polish Marcin Prachnio from start to finish and finished his rival with a katagatame in the third round. Already Denise Gomes broke the bank by knocking out undefeated Mexican Yasmin Jauregui just 20 seconds into the match and completing her second consecutive victory with Ultimate gloves.
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