I’m unsure methods to label UFC 276. It most actually wasn’t a failure. The preliminary fights delivered on all accounts and couple of the principle card contests went in addition to may very well be fairly be anticipated. However the anticlimactic title fights coupled with a disappointing no contest between Sean O’Malley and Pedro Munhoz put a little bit of a cloud over the occasion. That isn’t to take something away from the dominance of Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski – I’ll contact on a few of that later – nevertheless it did take a little bit of the luster off an in any other case fabulous night. I’ll clarify a bit extra, however you’ll should proceed with my Unofficial Awards….
For an audio recap of the occasion, click on here. For a distinct perspective, click on here.
Largest Soar in Inventory: As a result of that leap to being the P4P greatest is so tough to make, I very strongly thought-about placing Volkanovski on this spot, however the leap Alex Pereira made going from a middleweight on the perimeter of the official UFC rankings to the perimeter of the highest 5. Positive, Sean Strickland fought the dumbest struggle he might have fought, however Pereira did what he was speculated to do and blasted Strickland into one other dimension. That in itself is a tough proposition given Strickland’s sturdiness. The pace wherein Pereira has risen is value mentioning. Adesanya’s speedy rise is at all times talked about. It took 16 MMA fights, six within the UFC, earlier than Adesanya acquired a title shot. And that was an interim title struggle. If Pereira have been to get the title shot as we’re all anticipating, he’s at 7 MMA fights, three within the UFC. Rattling.
Largest Fall in Inventory: Many would say Strickland belongs right here for combating a silly struggle. Whereas his inventory is certainly harm, Strickland misplaced combating the identical struggle that put him in that place within the first place. Thus, even when his technique was silly, I can type of see the place he’s coming from. Thus, I’ll go along with Brad Riddell. Going into his struggle with Rafael Fiziev again in December, Riddell seemed like a darkish horse contender for the light-weight crown down the street. Now, after two consecutive losses, together with being submitted by Jalin Turner in simply 45 seconds, it seems like he could have already peaked. Riddell is simply 30, so my guess is he’ll work again into the official rankings. However I’m additionally unsure of that and the style he misplaced to Turner is excessive problematic for his future.
Begin Typing a Resume: There was a robust feeling that this was going to be Donald Cerrone’s last fight, nevertheless it was nonetheless a bit jarring to listen to. Cerrone mentioned what we have been all considering when he mentioned he didn’t love combating anymore. The fireplace hadn’t been seen since his struggle with Tony Ferguson. Cerrone retires with the second most wins in UFC historical past, a number of wins over former champions, and was the last word anytime, anybody, wherever fighter for a lengthy time. Positive, he by no means did recover from the hump and win a giant one, if that’s what you’re remembered for, it additionally implies that you completed just about every thing else. Cerrone will likely be missed. Right here’s hoping for the most effective for him in his future endeavors.
I get the sensation it was a little bit of a “you may’t hearth me, I retire!” scenario given Jessica Eye had misplaced 4 in a row and 5 of her final six, however the final consequence is identical: Eye will not be on the UFC roster. Eye has been a goal of fan vitriol for fairly some time. Whether or not it was her perennial underachieving or combative character, she by no means bought a lot love. It might’t be mentioned that she didn’t have a notable profession, combating for the title at one level and competing in opposition to a who’s who by way of the highest fighters on the time. No matter her popularity, I want her nothing however the most effective as I’ve by no means seen any indicators that she’s truly a foul individual.
I’m of the opinion Jessica-Rose Clark will likely be again, however I ought to acknowledge there’s an affordable probability she’s on her means out as two consecutive losses to 2 unranked fighters in probably the most shallow division within the UFC (let’s be trustworthy, there is no such thing as a featherweight division) doesn’t bode properly. Nevertheless, Clark can be fairly in style, particularly given the extent of success she has been capable of finding. Plus, the very fact the division is shallow might work in her favor. Does the UFC actually need to reduce unfastened an individual who has been in a position to choose up some wins in a division determined for our bodies? I believe she’ll be again.
Saved Their Job(s): Given he entered the occasion and not using a contract extension to the most effective of everybody’s data, it was thought Jim Miller possibly wanted a win to maintain his job. It turned out Miller had signed an extension the day earlier than, which wasn’t revealed till after Miller subbed Cerrone. Thus, whereas some imagine Miller might have been skating on skinny ice, it doesn’t look like the case on additional inspection.
I’ve been annoyed with Julija Stoliarenko for some time. Getting into her contest with Clark, Stoliarenko had dropped all 4 of her UFC fights, together with three consecutively. The rationale for the frustration is the expertise was much better than the outcomes. Stoliarenko lastly made it a precedence to get the struggle to the mat and do what she does greatest: snatch arms. It was fairly damned ugly, however Stoliarenko dislocated Clark’s elbow searching for an armbar to safe her first UFC win and maintain onto her job. Will probably be fascinating to see if she will be able to construct on her momentum.
Largest WOW Second: There’s no contest for this spot: Pereira touchdown a clear hook flush on the chin of Strickland. Pereira efficiently lulled Strickland right into a false sense of safety earlier than catching him with the hook and a few comply with up photographs referred to as it an evening for Strickland. It wasn’t a stunning end to the struggle, nevertheless it was a startling finish and possibly launched him right into a title shot. Everyone knows the UFC was glad about it too as they get the specified end result they have been hoping for from the second they signed Pereira: a match between Pereira and Adesanya.
Most Crippled Legacy: This might very properly go to Holloway as few can be keen to incorporate him within the debate of the best featherweight of all time. That house is now restricted to Volkanovski and Jose Aldo, although I admit Aldo’s legacy is fading within the face of Volkanovski’s present dominance. I’m taking a look at Adesanya right here. I acknowledge it is a tough wire to stroll, so bear with me. Adesanya talks about his legacy being crucial factor. In one of many promo movies main into the occasion, he talked about not even caring about being champion anymore, mentioning how Conor McGregor is the largest title within the sport and has by no means defended a belt as soon as he obtained one. That provides off the impression Adesanya is fascinated with creating moments within the cage, not simply in his walkouts. He doubled down on that sentiment within the cold open. And but… he fought like he was most fascinated with preserving his belt than in making a second or displaying off. This isn’t to say Adesanya isn’t an ideal fighter. He very a lot deserves to be within the P4P greatest within the present second. However now he’s offering empty guarantees. I repeat, Adesanya is a superb fighter on the peak of his talents, an all-time nice. However he’s falling in need of producing the magic moments he’s at all times speaking about. I’m not saying he wants to try this each time he steps within the cage, however solely considered one of his 5 title defenses has created the aura and vibe he’s seeking to set up. There’s greater than sufficient time for Adesanya to regain his earlier aura, so that is hardly a dying knell, however I’ve seen feedback about Adesanya being a boring fighter. That’s not the legacy Adesanya desires.
Finest Breakthrough Efficiency: I’ll admit breakthrough is perhaps a bit hyperbolic, however there have been 5 fighters the UFC have been seeking to arrange for victories on the prelims: Maycee Barber, Andre Muniz, Dricus Du Plessis, Ian Garry, and Jalin Turner. That sort of matchmaking is hardly a rarity – nearly each card has a number of fights like that – however what’s uncommon is when all these fights go in response to the UFC’s hopes. It isn’t simply that all of them received, all of them received in spectacular sufficient style to justify the UFC’s push behind them. However who stood out probably the most? For my part, that’s a simple selection: Turner. It may very well be argued he had the hardest opponent out of the 5 and he tore through Riddell in lower than a minute. Given his measurement is one thing that may’t be taught, he has an edge over everybody else.
Most Underrated Floor Fighter: It feels bizarre giving reward to a fighter who landed very little significant offense in his contest, however no one ever thinks about Uriah Corridor as somebody who is aware of what their doing on the mat. Granted, I’m speaking solely about his defensive grappling, however not solely did Corridor go the space with Muniz – a person who had submitted every of his final three opponents through armbar, together with Jacare – he has by no means been submitted in his skilled profession. Maybe it’s simply me, however we give all types of credit score to fighters who by no means appear to undergo KO’s whereas ignoring those that spend their profession avoiding being tapped. For all of the talks of Corridor being a head case, that’s an astonishing accomplishment.
Most Shocking Resurgence: For some, Barber’s capability to rebound from two consecutive losses isn’t a shock. Not solely is she nonetheless extraordinarily younger at 24, she’s nonetheless extraordinarily gifted. Little doubt there have been considerations following her controversial win over Miranda Maverick, however the final two wins she has picked up since then has allowed her to regain a lot of the luster she misplaced in her shedding stretch. With the emergence of Manon Fiorot, Casey O’Neill, and Erin Blanchfield, she’s not the it prospect of the flyweight division, however she’s actually deserving of being in these talks as soon as once more.
Biggest Featherweight of All Time: I did say earlier that I’m open to arguments about Aldo, however for my cash, Volkanovski has solidified himself in that standing. Even if you wish to give Holloway the second struggle of their trilogy, it offers Volkanovski a 2-to-1 edge in victories over Holloway. Formally, Volkanovski is 3-0 in opposition to Holloway and plenty of are inclined to overlook he has a victory over Aldo. I do know Volkanovski is wanting on the light-weight title, however I’m sick of the champ-champ motion. One man proudly owning two belts holds up each divisions, creating logjams. There are different fights on the market for Volkanovski at 145 that maintain intrigue. Josh Emmett is a wonderfully acceptable subsequent challenger. Yair Rodriguez and Arnold Allen may very well be a win away from that time. Calvin Kattar is perhaps two wins away. Who’s to say Brian Ortega couldn’t claw his means again right into a rematch both. In spite of everything, Ortega got here the closest to beating Volkanovski. Plus, the likes of Bryce Mitchell and Movsar Evloev appear like they aren’t too far off from coming into title talks. I’m anointing Volkanovski the featherweight GOAT, however I don’t assume he’s carried out constructing his legacy within the division.