Anthony Smith teaches us to not doubt him – once more

The hyperbole was off the charts for Mauricio Ruffy after robust exhibiting his octagon debut with a first-round knockout of the always-tough Jamie Mullarkey. And for probably the most half, it was warranted.

UFC commentator and coach Din Thomas mentioned Ruffy (10-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) reminded him “of a younger Conor McGregor” whereas he picked Mullarkey aside with strikes then completed the job in Spherical 1. Daniel Cormier then proceeded to say Ruffy’s efficiency was “one of many biggest UFC debuts we’ve seen in a very long time.”

It was robust phrases throughout the board for Ruffy, who proceeded to ship a message to light-weight champ Islam Makhachev that his reign will quickly be below risk. That’s placing the cart method forward of the horse in arguably probably the most stacked division within the sport, however you may respect the arrogance.

Let’s see what Ruffy can do shifting ahead. He beat an opponent who’s sub-.500 within the UFC in Mullarkey, and he’ll have to do way more work earlier than his feedback towards Makhachev are taken with any seriousness.

Caio Borralho continued to construct momentum within the middleweight division with a near-flawless efficiency towards Paul Craig, marking his thirteenth consecutive victory general.

Borralho (16-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) has been steadily climbing up the rankings, and towards his most expertise and established foe so far in Craig, he shined en path to a second-round knockout end.

He known as out Jared Cannonier within the aftermath of the battle, and whereas he won’t get that subsequent with Cannonier rumored to tackle Nassourdine Imavov in an upcoming foremost occasion, he’s taking pictures a greater shot than he has prior to now – which I’ve criticized him for.

It’s time for Borralho to get a more durable check little question, although. He’s off to a begin in his octagon tenure that few different 185-pound names have matched prior to now, and that’s deserving of one thing significant.

There was a variety of pleasure round Michel Pereira when he was signed to the UFC due to his flashy fashion and epic spotlight reel. However even probably the most optimistic of his supporters couldn’t have seen this kind of success.

Pereira (30-11 MMA, 9-2 UFC) has now gained eight consecutive fights contained in the octagon after a 54-second submission of Ihor Potieria, with the previous three of these victories coming in a mixed 3:01. It’s no coincidence these performances have coincided along with his full-time transfer to middleweight, and it’s clear that is the suitable weight class for the Brazilian.

Though you possibly can poke some holes within the high quality of competitors throughout this profitable streak from Pereira, what can’t be known as into query is the problem of placing collectively an eight-fight streak within the UFC, interval. Solely a small assortment of fighters have pulled that off.

Just like the assertion on Borralho above, although, Pereira wants an actual step up in competitors. If he can do what he’s performed to current foes towards a top-15 title at 185 kilos, then issues get actual.

Simply when everybody thought Anthony Smith had a fork in him and was cooked – once more – he comes out and takes no harm in submitting the beforehand undefeated Vitor Petrino in two minutes flat.

We shouldn’t be shocked, I suppose. That is the kind of stuff Smith (38-19 MMA, 13-9 UFC) has constructed his profession and status on, however this felt like a really troublesome hurdle to recover from. However, he will get the job performed and injects life into his profession as soon as once more.

What’s Smith able to at this level in his profession? Who’s anybody to say.

He has the title, credentials and favor of the UFC brass to get one other huge alternative coming off this win. He must profit from it, although, as a result of you would need to suppose that is most likely his final likelihood to make a run. Nonetheless, we’ve mentioned that earlier than, so proceed with warning with regards to making a judgement on his capabilities.

Jose Aldo admitted throughout his post-fight interview that he couldn’t have imagined such an ideal evening in Rio de Janeiro in his wildest goals. It’s important to consider that after he outclassed the surging Jonathan Martinez for a unanimous choice.

Aldo (32-8 MMA, 14-7 UFC) returned from a 20-month retirement to finish his UFC contract towards Martinez. If that was his last UFC battle, it was the most effective methods to shut the door for a legend in historical past. Proper up there with Robbie Lawler’s win over Niko Value, however respectfully, Martinez is a far, much more spectacular opponent to do it towards.

Now the world is Aldo’s oyster. The UFC allowed the legend to take some boxing fights throughout his MMA retirement with its blessing, however as soon as he will get by an unique matching interval he’ll be utterly free, and that might imply all types of choices.

The MMA fan in me desires to see Aldo preserve going within the loaded UFC bantamweight division and see if he could make one other run. However unselfishly, he undoubtedly must discover his choices and see what sort of paydays he can fetch on the open market. Aldo is a sizzling commodity after this win, and solely good issues are coming his method.

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