Two newly crowned UFC lightweight and heavyweight champions. Undefeated streak broken. Seven out of seven stoppages via KO/TKO.
It was a legendary Sunday night to say the least, as fans got to watch an amazing night of fights that all ended with stoppages. In the featherweight division, Diego Lopes knocked out feather weight contender Steve Garcia in the second round. Garcia was on a seven fight win streak that was put to a halt by the formidable Diego Lopes. This win puts Diego Lopes right back in the title talks after taking a risky fight against the dangerous #9 ranked featherweight.
The second fight of the night ended in the first round as the four time All American wrestling NCAA Division I national champion Bo Nickal finished his opponent using minimal wrestling. With less than 30 seconds remaining in round 1, Daukaus gets dropped by Nickal’s crisp striking. Nickal capitalized on his opponent by raining down a barrage of strikes to stop the fight in round 1.
In the lightweight division Mauricio Ruffy made quick work of 40 yrs old Michael Chandler. Ruffy stylistically was too fast, too accurate, powerful for Chandler. Chandler tried to utilize his wrestling by reaching for a single leg, but it did not seem to bother Ruffy as he had his way with Chandler and with less than 30 seconds left in the first round Ruffy punished Chandler with devastating blows.
Josh Hokit defeats Derek Lewis via TKO in the 2nd round.
This was a matchup many UFC fans were looking forward to however it did not live up to expectations. A lot of spectators tuned in to hate watch Hokit. Unfortunately for them it did not turn out the way they wanted. Hokit showed up to the White House card in phenomenal shape the polar opposite to his opponent Derek Lewis. Lewis was winded and seemed to move slower than usual on Sunday night. Hokit utilized his wrestling to take Lewis down. Towards the end of the first round Hokit found himself in a dominant armbar position only to show his lack of experience in jiu jitsu as he couldn’t finish the armbar. Clearly missing the understanding of the fundamental mechanics of an armbar. Luckily for him his striking in the 2nd round stopped The Black Beast as the referee stopped the overwhelming punches coming in on Lewis.
Sean O’malley defeats Aiemann Zahabi via TKO in the last minute of the second round. The Suga Show was on full display Sunday night as O’Malley defeated his opponent with precise striking although getting kicked with heavy inside leg kicks. O’Malley managed to stay on task and put his opponent away in the 2nd round. O’Malley immediately called for a title fight against Petr Yan in his post fight interview in the octogan.
Ciryl Gane defeats Alex Peirera via TKO in the co-main event of the evening for the UFC Heavyweight belt.
Ciryl Gane was at his absolute best picking up where he left off against Tom Aspinal. Gane was light on his feet picking his shots against the former middle weight and light heavy weight UFC champion of the world. Gane utilized his speed and elusiveness to connect big shots and come out with a huge upset win against Poatan. Gane will look to defend his belt as early as September in hope to fight in his home city Paris.
The biggest upset of the night was in the main event featuring Topuria vs Gaethje. The fight was stopped after the 4th round as Topuria did not get off his stool to begin the 5th and final round. It was an exciting match up of grit, power, technical boxing, and heart. Gaethje was hurt in the early rounds as Topuria hit Gaethje with nasty body shots that sent him to the canvus. Justin recovered while defending submissions from the bottom. Justin utilized upper cuts with a one handed clinch to tee off on Topuria. Topuria looked bloodied up and even stating to his cornermen his vision was impaired. The doctors let the fight resume as both fighters gained an extra minute in between rounds to rest. Gaethje did not take his foot off the breaks, he kept pushing forward putting pressure on Topuria. It all came to an end going into the 5th round of the fight as Topuria did not come off his stool and the referee called an end to the fight. Declaring Justin Topuria as the new undisputed UFC light weight champion of the world.
