The 6th Round Post-Fight Show

UFC Atlantic City has wrapped an eventful night of fights. The main event was basically a display of Manon Fiorot’s counter-striking. She beat Erin Blanchfield handily, but she did it all almost exclusively from a defensive position. Absent of any intent to finish, was Fiorot and absent the strength or striking to keep up, was Blanchfield. Many will wan…

UFC Atlantic City has wrapped an eventful night of fights. The main event was basically a display of Manon Fiorot’s counter-striking. She beat Erin Blanchfield handily, but she did it all almost exclusively from a defensive position. Absent of any intent to finish, was Fiorot and absent the strength or striking to keep up, was Blanchfield. Many will wan…

UFC Vegas 89 just wrapped, and not a moment too soon because both the main and co-main events were “mid” as the kids like to say. “Thug” Rose Namajunas took a unanimous decision against Amanda Ribas, but it wasn’t a particularly inspired performance. Her inability or refusal to throw combinations seems like it’s going to be a perpetual Achilles heel if …

UFC Vegas 88 is officially in the books and with it, the hope for Tai Tuivasa to turn around his fortunes. After coming out swinging for the fences, “Bam Bam” was quickly figured out by Marcin Tybura, who got the fight to the ground, capitalized on the subpar grappling of the Aussie, then promptly submitted him with a rear-naked choke, and he did it all…

UFC 299 just wrapped a long night of combat in Miami, and following a hellishly long boxing card in Knockout Chaos: Joshua vs. Ngannou so closely, we’re welcoming a Sunday respite from face punching. But first, we’re going to get into the action from the event, both the highs and the lows.

The main event put Sean O’Malley’s remarkable striking on display, showcasing crisp, accurate boxing, excellent footwork and last, but certainly not least, durability. It took a ridiculous amount of time before Vera realized that oblique and low kicks couldn’t win him the fight, especially with the volume that O’Malley was continuously peppering him with.

Sean’s jab was money. His combinations were surgical. His footwork was incredible—he seemed to be in perfect position 100% of the time. ‘Suga’ fought the perfect fight against a chronically tough veteran and made it look easy. Vera had but one saving grace tonight, and that’s his durability. The sheer volume of punishment he absorbed was massive.

If only he’d get his aggression off sooner, the results would almost assuredly be better. But to achieve that, he has to actually engage, and sadly, he just takes too long to going. By the time he’s confident enough to close the distance, he’s eaten so much damage that whatever he’s throwing can’t possibly be at full capacity. Timidity is certainly his most glaring failing.

In the sharpest contrast, Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint-Denis both put on excellent performances, but it would be Poirier’s grit and power that would shine brightest. The entire card was excellent overall, but this contest was worth the price of admission. And yes, in case you were wondering, it won Fight of the Night.

There were about 4832 moments where Poirier gave fans reason to fret, most concerningly his determination to land a guillotine, often taking unnecessary risks on the ground. His corner even warned him to stop jumping guillotines and within the first minute of the following round, guess what he did? Jumped a gilly. Dustin, if you’re reading this, please stop giving us palpitations!

In the end, Dustin’s patience and crispy boxing had its intended effect, and even though he’s one of the nicest guys in the game with a heart of gold, he’s mean as all get out in that cage. He’s like a shark in freshly chummed waters and he’s relentless. Saint-Denis got brutalized. And once it was over, Poirier switched right back into good guy mode, sending the other guy—Mr. Violence—back to the ether until he’s summoned again.

From here, you’ll just have to listen to the show. But I will leave you with the results before turning you over to Zane and Eddie.

UFC 299 Results

* Sean O'Malley def Marlon Vera Unanimous Dec

* Dustin Poirier def B. Saint-Denis KO/TKO, 2:32 R2

* Michael Page def Kevin Holland Unanimous Dec

* J. Maddalena def Gilbert Burns KO/TKO, 3:43 R3

* Petr Yan def Yadong Song Unanimous Dec

* Curtis Blaydes def Jailton Almeida KO/TKO, 0:36 R2

* Maycee Barber def Katlyn Cerminara Unanimous Dec

* Mateusz Gamrot def Rafael dos Anjos Unanimous Dec

* Kyler Phillips def Pedro Munhoz Unanimous Dec

* Philipe Lins def Ion Cutelaba Unanimous Dec

* Michel Pereira def M. Oleksiejczuk Sub, 1:01 R1

* Robelis Despaigne def Josh Parisian KO/TKO, 0:18 R1

* Asu Almabaev def CJ Vergara Unanimous Dec

* Joanne Wood def Maryna Moroz Split Dec

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Bloody El…

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