UFC Vegas 66: Jared Cannonier vs. Sean Strickland – Unofficial Awards

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UFC Vegas 66 was a strong occasion as a complete, that includes a number of strong high-level fights, even when it wrapped on one thing of a blah word. Jared Cannonier and Sean Strickland fought 5 aggressive rounds with constant motion. Usually, that will sound like a strong battle. Nevertheless, with only a few dramatic swings and few main moments from both fighter, it did not make for a memorable bout.

Each males maintained an identical tempo, touchdown constantly by way of the competition. Cannonier landed the more durable pictures, however Strickland landed the cleaner pictures. It was a very troublesome battle to evaluate that left most observers agreeing there wasn’t a definitive winner. Finally, the judges went with Cannonier, getting the heavy hitter again on monitor following his loss this previous summer season for the middleweight title.

There was loads of different motion on the cardboard that ought to have greater than made up for the principle occasion. Sadly, that’s hardly ever the way it works. The headliners nearly all the time overshadow every part else, each time. To attempt to repair that, we’ll cowl the remainder of the occasion right here with my Unofficial Awards….

For a special perspective, click on here. For an audio recap of the occasion, click on here.

BIGGEST JUMP IN STOCK

UFC Fight Night: Cannonier v Strickland — Some effectively earned post-fight vibes.

This was a difficult spot to determine. Arman Tsarukyan dominated a extremely regarded opponent. Drew Dober turned out the lights on an opponent who has historically been very troublesome to place to sleep. Manel Kape did what he wished to a tricky opponent. Ultimately, I needed to go together with Alex Caceres.

Certain, he didn’t beat somebody who was on the extent with any of these different aforementioned males. But it surely was a battle he wasn’t speculated to win and he did so in a fashion that established he can finish a battle in a flash. A better have a look at Caceres’ report reveals that he’s gained six of his final seven fights. ‘Bruce Leeroy’’s previous inconsistencies might imply that there are some who won’t ever give him the good thing about the doubt, however I believe he’s earned extra respect on his title.

BIGGEST FALL IN STOCK

UFC Fight Night: Matthews v Semelsberger — Matthews would possibly remorse taking this one.

The percentages might have been tilted an excessive amount of in his favor, however Jake Matthews was a rightful favourite over Matthew Semelsberger. Add that Matthews gained a strong two-thirds of this battle, and it actually appears he ought to have had his hand raised… at the least supplied he fought good. Matthews didn’t battle an clever battle, although.

As an alternative, Matthews opted to interact Semelsberger within the space the place Semelsberger is most harmful. Provided that the Aussie has a extra confirmed floor sport, a ground-based assault appeared essentially the most direct path to victory. However, he didn’t strive making a critical try to go to the mat till the third spherical—after he was down two rounds and been knocked down thrice. Barring some kind of Robbie Lawler-like late profession evolution, it could be that Matthews is changing into his personal worst enemy.

SAVED THEIR JOB(S)

It feels bizarre saying for any occasion (and particularly a Battle Night time), however there weren’t many roles on the road, if any. It’s very doable the UFC wasn’t going to chop anybody from this occasion barring disastrous outcomes. There could also be one individual I believe gained’t have a contract come 2023, however I’m not even assured in that case.

START TYPING A RESUME

UFC Fight Night: Morozov v Newson — The battle was no enjoyable too.

Journey Newson might not have consecutive losses, however he does have only one official UFC win in 5 makes an attempt. Granted, he would have one other if it wasn’t for a optimistic marijuana take a look at, however his report is what it’s. If he was a younger prospect whose greatest days had been forward of him, I may not embody him right here. Given he’s 33 and doesn’t battle with the veteran savvy you’d count on of somebody his age, he’s possible topped out. If bantamweight didn’t have so many prospects value taking a look at, I would guess he’d be protected. As it’s, I believe this can be the tip of his time within the Octagon.

BIGGEST WOW MOMENT

UFC Fight Night: Caceres v Erosa — Kick was sweeeeeeet.

Caceres has been across the UFC for a lengthy time. He’s been in some hella enjoyable fights, pulled off some enjoyable upsets, and crapped the mattress at a number of inopportune instances. Mainly, he’s achieved all of it. All besides safe the spotlight reel KO. Now he has. He threw a proper hand that left Julian Erosa leaning right into a left excessive kick that put ‘Juicy-J’ to sleep. I’d be shocked if this KO doesn’t find yourself on Baba O’Riley.

MOST CONFUSING MOMENT

About midway by way of the second spherical of the competition between Rafa Garcia and Maheshate, Garcia had his opponent pushed towards the fence. Maheshate’s foot was out away from the cage, so Garcia began touchdown some heavy foot stomps. After the third one, referee Mark Smith rushed in the direction of them, declaring Garcia can’t do this. Final time I checked, foot stomps had been completely authorized. Maybe an evidence will come out over the following few days? I’m curious what reasoning Smith has to supply.

MOST GRITTY PERFORMANCE

UFC Fight Night: Garcia v Maheshate — Dudes had been a multitude on the market.

It wasn’t essentially the most thrilling efficiency, however Garcia seemed like he was a weight class or two smaller than his opposition. Maheshate did miss weight, nevertheless it didn’t totally clarify why he appeared a lot greater within the Octagon. Regardless of the dimensions disparity Garcia proved to be the bully within the cage, scoring a number of takedowns and controlling Maheshate for lengthy stretches. Maybe essentially the most spectacular half about it was he did so whereas leaking insane amounts of blood from his head for half the competition. It isn’t rare for fighters to be freaked out a bit by their blood pouring in all places. The blood appeared to get to Maheshate extra when he turned drenched in it. Regardless, it confirmed spectacular psychological metal.

MOST DOMINANT PERFORMANCE

UFC Fight Night: Battle v Fakhretdinov — An absolute mauling.

There have been a few choices to select from right here, however Rinat Fakhretdinov needed to be my official alternative. The Russian grinder was in management for nearly everything of the competition, a couple of submission makes an attempt from Bryan Battle being the one instances when it seemed like Fakhretdinov was threatened in any type. Even then, not one of the submission makes an attempt got here anyplace near being totally clamped on.

MOST IMPRESSIVE LOSS

UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov v Kakhramonov — Kakhramonov was rolling, proper up till he was tapping.

There have been a few wonderful selections for this as effectively, with two contests the place the loser of the battle was profitable proper as much as the last word second of their demise. The runner-up was Bobby Inexperienced, who was outlanding Drew Dober by greater than a two-to-one margin earlier than Dober landed a strong left hand that despatched the longtime veteran sprawling to the mat. Inexperienced seemed like he was choosing up proper the place he left off from when he dominated Nasrat Haqparast. 99% of the time that will completely be essentially the most spectacular loss.

On this case, nonetheless, it goes to Saidyokub Kakhramonov. The Uzbekistan native was placing on a totally dominant efficiency over Stated Nurmagomedov, mauling the extremely regarded bantamweight for shut to each second of the competition. Nurmagomedov threatened with a guillotine within the opening spherical, which was the one time he had any critical management. Not less than that was the case up till he discovered the end with a modified guillotine choke. Given Kakhramonov was combating at a a lot increased degree than what he had beforehand confronted and seemed to be greater than holding his personal, he will get the award—not that he truly provides a rattling.

MOST DISRESPECTED FIGHTER

UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan v Ismagulov — Can the person get a prime 5 opponent?

Does anybody actually consider Arman Tsarukyan goes to get an opponent he’s pleased with? Having misplaced a razor-thin contest to Mateusz Gamrot this summer season, Tsarukyan rebounded with an emphatic win over the criminally underappreciated Damir Ismagulov within the co-main occasion. In his post-fight interview, Tsarukyan declared he didn’t truly lose to Gamrot and that he desires a battle with somebody forward of him. Sadly for him, the highest of the light-weight division is stuffed with fighters who’ve established a degree of credibility that enables them to select and selected who they’re keen to battle and when.

Whereas those that comply with the game religiously understand how good Tsarukyan is—and that he can compete with anybody within the division—he nonetheless doesn’t have sufficient title worth to do something for the contenders above him. Thus, Tsarukyan is left being disrespected because it seems unlikely he’ll get a battle he really desires. The hope right here is that I’m improper.

MOST MATURING PERFORMANCE

MMA: DEC 17 UFC Vegas 66 — McKenna is aware of how one can get the W.

At 23, Cory McKenna could be forgiven if she makes the occasional silly mistake. What usually isn’t forgiven is that if a fighter strays from their bread and butter, one thing she did in her loss to Elise Reed. McKenna redeemed herself towards Cheyanne Vlismas, adjusting her technique after dropping the primary spherical. McKenna nonetheless confirmed enhancements in her boxing, however in the end was developing quick in that division. The second spherical was a grind towards the fence and the third was nearly completely on the mat. Vlismas struggled with out area, clearing the best way for McKenna to select up the victory. If she will proceed to develop her skillset, McKenna seems to have the know-how to develop right into a strawweight of word down the street.

MOST IMPRESSIVE FLYWEIGHT

UFC Fight Night: Dvorak v Kape — Arm almost acquired twisted off.

There seems to be gentle on the prime of the flyweight division as Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno settle their everlasting rivalry. Thus, Amir Albazi and Manel Kape got wonderful alternatives to make a case why they may be the preferable alternative for the UFC to push into the title image. It’s laborious to say definitively by some means which one submitted a stronger utility. Albazi secured a highlight reel finish, however the battle was largely tepid up till that time.

Kape didn’t get the end, however he got here thisnear doing so on two events. The primary noticed him bend David Dvorak’s arm off form with a kimura within the first spherical—the place Dvorak was in the end saved by the bell. The second noticed Dvorak on wobbly legs with Kape touchdown heavy strikes.

Finally, I’m extra keen to say Kape was extra spectacular, since Dvorak was a extra confirmed opponent than Alessandro Costa. Regardless, each are very a lot within the image. If both one can ship spectacular performances towards confirmed opposition, they might find yourself combating for a belt by the tip of 2023. For the second, I believe Kape has a slight edge to be that man.

BONUS NUMBERS

The FOTN went to Inexperienced and Dober, giving every of them six Efficiency Bonuses for his or her UFC careers. That will have tied them for essentially the most Bonuses had Alex Caceres not picked up his seventh. Michal Oleksiejczuk picked up simply the second Bonus of his UFC run. Ismagulov maintained the longest drought of anybody on the cardboard, courting again to December of 2018. When it comes to quantity of contests, Olesiejczuk snapped his seven-fight streak with out a Bonus. Now, Ismagulov and Garcia are tied with six fights every with out a Bonus. Maybe one of the crucial stunning quantity is Kape continues to be with out a Bonus in his UFC run.

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