Final night time (Sat., March 23, 2024), Final Preventing Championship (UFC) stay inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada for UFC Vegas 89. At this level, it’s a step up for the typical Apex fundamental occasion to function a former champion, even when Rose Namajunas did enter having misplaced her earlier two bouts. “Thug Rose” aimed to get her profession again on monitor reverse Amanda Ribas, whereas the remainder of the principle card featured a Heavyweight brawl, one struggling Middleweight former prospect, and two expert younger Bantamweight up-and-comers.
By and huge, that’s the same old combine for nights reminiscent of these. Let’s have a look again over at UFC Vegas 89’s finest performances and strategies:
Namajunas Picks Up First Flyweight Win
I don’t imagine I’m the one one who discovered Rose Namajunas vs. Amanda Ribas underwhelming.
Plain and easy, there are adjustments Namajunas must make to her recreation to compete at Flyweight. Specifically, she has to throw extra. Her punches should not sitting opponents down like they did at Strawweight. At no level of their shared 25 minutes did she handle to stun Ribas, who is just not identified for her sturdiness. If the knockout is much less life like, quantity turns into king as soon as extra.
Actually, Namajunas gained this bout as a result of she capitalized on Ribas’ errors. Unhealthy errors. Ribas threw away three separate rounds by trying crappy headlock throws and touchdown in backside place. It’s a foul takedown, and it was actually irritating to look at Ribas regularly fall onto her again when she was doing pretty nicely on the toes.
It was higher than the co-main occasion between Justin Tafa and Karl Williams, however that ain’t saying a lot!
Gritty Golden Boy
Edmen Shahbazyan scored his first comeback win final night time.
We’ve seen Shahbazyan rating first-round finishes earlier than, and we’ve seen him crumble late when confronted with fatigue and adversity. Traditionally, it’s one or the opposite for “Golden Boy,” who has only a single determination win in 13 fights. When AJ Dobson got here out unexpectedly scorching and surprised Shahbazyan with punches nearly immediately, the scenario appeared actually dangerous for Shahbazyan.
Credit score to him, nevertheless, Shahbazyan stayed within the combat. He survived some dangerous spots and labored again to his toes. When the 2 separated following some wrestling, each had been fatigued. However, Shahbazyan stepped again into the pocket, stood his floor, and returned the favor by flattening Dobson.
Was it a great signal that Dobson was in a position to harm Shahbazyan? Not likely. Nonetheless, Shahbazyan hung powerful when his status mentioned he would fold, and that deserves props.
Talbott Overwhelms Saaiman
Payton Talbott completely torched Cameron Saaiman.
Nothing he threw missed. It’s that easy! From very early within the combat, Talbott was throwing energy mixtures and touchdown all three of the punches. His proper leg scored with brutal consistency, each as a knee and a kick. When the 2 clinched up, Talbott would land a number of elbows, and his examine hook floored Saaiman on two events. All of the offensive weapons had been flowing, and Saaiman couldn’t stand as much as the barrage regardless of his finest efforts.
A stellar efficiency from the undefeated prospect.
Return Of The Moroccan Satan
Again in 2020, Youssef Zalal made a little bit of a reputation for himself by combating incessantly on the early Apex playing cards. He picked up a couple of wins and confirmed some expertise, however a shedding streak noticed him launched quickly afterward. Traditional Apex period stuff: fighters come and go rapidly and are changed by the subsequent wave of prospects.
Few make it again after being launched. Zalal proved himself a minimize above the remainder by going again to the health club, getting higher, after which chipping away on the regional scene till in a position to rating one other alternative on the prime time. When given a short-notice probability final night time vs. Quarantillo, he completely made essentially the most of it.
Zalal was simply so sharp. His boxing, intercepting knees, and calf kicks had been all timed so nicely, and he was sitting down on his photographs greater than in earlier appearances. He surprised the extremely sturdy “Billy Q” badly, evaded his highly effective swings with absolute composure, after which dominated the jiu-jitsu black belt on the ground too. He appeared in full management all the combat, beating Quarantillo extra simply than anybody else and changing into the primary to complete him.
It was an unimaginable efficiency.
Severino Bares Tooth
Igor Severino vs. Andre Lima was such a fantastic combat! Two younger and undefeated Brazilian prospects had been placing all their abilities on show. Each confirmed off versatile and highly effective approaches to kickboxing, and there have been some actually nice wrestling and floor exchanges as nicely.
Total, Lima was the sharper and extra highly effective striker. Nevertheless, Severino’s uncooked grit and relentless tempo was doubtlessly taking on within the second. We’ll by no means know for certain although, as a result of Severino threw all of it away by viciously biting his opponent. He was promptly disqualified after which launched briefly style.
That’s an absolute d—okay transfer that benefitted no person.
Extra Ideas
Fernando Padillo defeats Luis Pajuelo by way of first-round d’arce choke (HIGHLIGHTS): Padillo actually impressed on this win. The combat didn’t final lengthy, however Padillo instantly demonstrated a greater understanding and use of his vary in comparison with his earlier exhibiting. He picked aside Pajuelo, touchdown plenty of longe distance blows and forcing Pajuelo to get determined. When the Peruvian actually tried to power the motion, Padillo punished him with a nasty counter shot then promptly wrapped up the neck to safe a reasonably flawless victory.
Julian Erosa defeats Ricardo Ramos by way of first-round guillotine choke (HIGHLIGHTS): Ramos was within the midst of dropping hammers on Erosa. He surprised his foe with a proper hand, scored his signature spinning elbow, and bounced Erosa’s head off the canvas with floor photographs. Ramos seemed to be in full management till the second Erosa snatched up his neck in response to a double leg, and rapidly, the combat was over! “Juicy J” is kind of the opportunist, and he wanted this win badly.
For full UFC Vegas 89 outcomes, protection, and highlights, click on HERE.