UFC Fight Night Las Vegas Post Fight Analysis

Hello fight fans! UFC Fight Night took place this weekend at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Trivia (answer at end)

Which UFC division has the most Brazilians in the top 15?

Uroš Medić vs. Myktybek Orolbai

Recap: What I thought was going to be a striking fight turned out to be a grappling one.  If anything, I expected Medić to be the one using his grappling since Orolbai had finished his previous fights with TKOs. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see Orolbai display his grappling skills.  Medić started off the fight with kicks and a slew of combinations that Orolbai felt but that was the most he did.  Orolbai dominated the rest of the fight with control and Medić wasn’t able to get out of any grappling positions Orolbai put him in.  Towards the end of the round, Oralbai got Medić’s back and secured his first victory in the UFC after 4:12 in round 2 with a neck crank.  

What’s Next: This fight was in the Welterweight division and in the octagon interview, Orolbai said he was going to fight in the Lightweight division.  He’s a strong striker and has just shown us his grappling skills.  He’s going to be a fun one to watch at 155!

Luana Pinheiro vs. Amanda Ribas

Recap: What a savage striking fight between these two former roommates.  In round 1, Pinheiro came out SWINGING and was packing a punch.  She did a great job moving side to side with her footwork and landed a lot with her right hand and left hook causing a lot of damage to Ribas’ face and easily taking the first round.  The second round was quite a turnaround for Ribas.  She came out more aggressive and used her kicks which proved to be successful.  This created more distance between her and Pinheiro who would have preferred a closer fight to use her punches.  Also, Ribas was switching up her stance to southpaw which Pinheiro seemed to struggle with.  Then in round 3, Ribas scrapped her way to a victory.  Pinheiro wasn’t finding as much success with her striking and went for some takedowns.  She finally got Ribas to the ground but when they got up Ribas stayed on the offense and started to land hard strikes while  Pinheiro was swinging for the fences.  Then, as Pinheiro was moving backwards Ribas threw a spinning head kick that landed straight on her face.  Ribas followed up by throwing her punches and getting the victory at 3:53.

What’s Next: This was Pinheiro’s first loss and fourth fight in the UFC and was previously on a 9 fight win streak.  She packs a heavy punch and has a lot of good competition ahead of her in the division.  As for Ribas, NEVER count her out of a fight.  She is so scrappy and isn’t afraid to make things dirty.  She was previously fighting in the Flyweight division and now she’s back!  I’m looking forward to seeing how she gives the fighters ahead of her a run for their money with her fighting style.

Payton Talbott vs. Nick Aguirre

Recap: What a UFC debut for Talbott.  He came out striking in the first round but Aguirre got the takedown and controlled him the rest of the round with no damage done.  I would have liked to see Aguirre inflict some sort of damage on Talbott to help him out the rest of the fight because I think the first round just tired him out.  Talbott stayed calm, took no damage, and looked fresh.  In round 2, Talbott came out fast and attacked first by controlling the octagon and putting Aguirre to the fence.  It was evident that Aguirre wanted to take the fight to the ground as Talbott had to tell him to stand a couple of times after he defended the takedown.  Aguirre was able to get a takedown but Talbott was able to win the position.  Aguirre struggled to create space and at the end of the round Talbott inflicted some ground and pound.  By the third round, it was clear that Aguirre had grappled himself to exhaustion.  Aguirre went for another takedown but Talbott reversed it and got in position to inflict ground and pound.  Aguirre then gave his back to get out of the ground and pound but Talbott was able to take the back right away and get a quick rear naked choke.

What’s Next: This was Aguirre’s second fight and second loss in the UFC.  I think he has a lot to work on for his next fight if he stays on the roster.  This was Talbott’s first win in the UFC and one thing I learned was how patient he was.  I’m really looking forward to seeing how he progresses as he keeps getting fights.

Chase Hooper vs. Jordan Leavitt

Recap: Chase came out of his corner throwing some punches but Leavitt started the grappling right away.  The two displayed very high level BJJ grappling with excellent transitions.  At one point, Hooper got Leavitt in an arm bar but Leavitt got out and eventually got in a position to punch Hooper in the face that rocked him.  The two continued to roll and at a point both had ankle/leg locks.  Then during the transition, Jordan was trying to get the ankle lock but Hooper turned his body and escaped.  With Leavitt in a turtle position, Hooper was able to get his back and finish him with a rear naked choke at 2:58.

What’s Next: Hooper is only 22 years old and entered the UFC at 19.  He needs to work on his striking and fill out a little bit more. However, even though he’s skinny, I wouldn’t discount him if I were betting.  His BJJ as we saw was very high level and he has a lot of years ahead of him.  I love Leavitt as a fighter and he has a funny personality but he needs to work on his striking and I’m waiting to see that aggression come out.  The last time he was submitted was by Paddy Pimblett and he said he needs to be more aggressive.  Unfortunately he didn’t show it in this fight.  Hopefully all goes well with his daughter’s birth and he finds what he needs to be a savage.

Michael Morales vs. Jake Matthews

Recap: I love a high level striking match and that’s what this fight was about.  For all three rounds, the two fighters had great back and forth exchanges with Morales having the edge in all rounds.  Morales did an excellent job of using his power and length as he has an INSANE 6 inch reach advantage over Matthews.  He attacked Matthews’ leg to keep the distance and used his jab to set things up.  If Matthews was going to win this fight, he would have had to get on the inside of Morales but that’s tough against such a heavy hitter.  Matthews is great at countering, but was having trouble landing his strikes because of that reach and Morales’ speed.  At the end of the fight, Morales came out on top.  He had more output and inflicted more damage.

What’s Next: This win should put Morales in a top 15 position as this is his 4th win in the UFC and remains undefeated at 16-0.  He is definitely a fighter to bet on as he has a crazy reach if his opponent is also a striker.  I’d like to see how he does against a high level grappler and I’m sure we’ll find out as more fights come his way.  Matthews is a tough opponent and I would like to see him work on his grappling to win more fights.  He’s been in the industry for 9 years and is still not in the top 15.  Overall though, I don’t think this fight took down his stock.

Brendan “All In” Allen vs. Paul “Bearjew” Craig

Recap: What an incredible performance by Brendan Allen who made this fight look easy against Craig who is a BJJ specialist.  For the first minute and a half in round 1, the two stayed on their feet, had some exchanges, and felt one another out.  Then they got in clinch and Allen had a beautiful uchi mata to get Craig to the ground for the takedown.  Allen had the top position but Craig used his legs while defending which makes him such a hard person to beat in BJJ.  As Allen was grinding he went for a submission, but Craig had a calf slicer and was able to get this because he used his legs to defend.  Allen gave up the submission to defend the calf slicer and when he was getting out of it, Craig got a hold of his leg and put him in an ankle lock.  Allen turned to get out and then picked Craig up and dropped him for the takedown.  Allen continued to grind and stay in the on top position inflicting damage with his elbows and punches to end the round.  

Within the first ten seconds of round 2, Allen wobbled Craig with a hard punch.  Craig immediately shot in for a takedown and Allen got the top position.  He grinded and went for a submission but Craig defended with his legs and had Allen’s left leg in a lock which prevented Allen from being able to move his hips to finish the submission.  The rest of the round was dominated by Allen who also cut open Craig’s eye with some nasty elbows.  The round ended with Allen trying to submit Craig but the horn sounded.

At the start of round 3, Allen took control of the octagon and got Craig up to the fence.  He threw a left body shot, left hook, and a right that forced Craig to go in for the takedown.  Allen easily got his back and finished him with a rear naked choke within 38 seconds.

What’s Next: I think Craig will stay in the top 15 but I would like to see him improve his striking and not be so dependent on BJJ.  As for Allen, he wants to take some time off with the family and fight around UFC 300.  I think he deserves a fight with someone in the top 5 but I’d also like to see him kick Kumshot’s (Chimaev) ass as I think he’s overrated. 

Trivia Answer

Women’s Strawweight

Until next time fight fans!

BMF

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