UFC Vegas 97 outcomes: Sooo … About final evening | Burns vs. Brady

Final evening (Sat., Sept. 7, 2024), Final Preventing Championship (UFC) returned house to UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, for UFC Vegas 97. Evaluating Apex occasions to 1 one other seems like a major a part of being a combat fan in 2024, and by these requirements, this card was fairly strong! It’s a greater evening than common when each the primary and co-main occasions are related and fascinating fights. Gilbert Burns and Jessica Andrade performed the position of skilled veterans, whereas their respective foils Sean Brady and Natalia Silva tried to shake up the established order as up-and-coming abilities.

Let’s have a look again over at UFC Vegas 97’s greatest performances and methods:

A Win’s A Win, However …

Perhaps this can be a minority opinion, however I wasn’t overly impressed by Sean Brady’s unanimous resolution win over Gilbert Burns.

There have been noticeable enhancements to make sure. Most clearly, Brady has by no means jabbed so effectively. He doubled and tripled up the strike, convincing Burns to cowl up earlier than capitalizing with photographs across the guard or takedown makes an attempt. Generally, Brady’s in-and-out motion on the ft seemed extra fluid than in previous fights.

That’s all effectively and good, but it surely’s arduous to not really feel like Burns seemed outdated right here. He barely threw something and was largely defensive from the primary bell onward. When Burns did assault, it was just about simply the large overhand proper with none setup. Burns’ didn’t push a lot in any respect, and Brady stored most of his strikes mild touches quite than full commitments. As such, it’s troublesome for me to know if Brady’s cardio is critically improved or if Burns simply didn’t make him work very arduous.

Regardless of the case, it’s at all times a little bit of a downer when there’s a 25-minute combat and each males go away the cage with clear faces. Both means, Brady climbs into the High 5 no matter my opinion, and a giant match up is unquestionably subsequent.

A New Contender Emerges

Natalia Silva vs. Jessica Andrade was numerous enjoyable.

The dynamic of the combat was apparent: Andrade wished to push ahead and construct combos of highly effective hooks from contained in the pocket. Silva wished to remain cellular and use her pace and vary benefits to select the previous champion aside at distance, the place her snappy punches and kicks have been superior.

By and enormous, Silva bought her want. Andrade was in a position to get her licks in, however Silva landed far more fast punches and actually chewed up Andrade as she tried to work inside. The shut vary facet kicks have been straight up superior, and he or she even scored an ideal wheel kick straight to the chin of “Bate Estaca.”

At 27 years of age, Silva simply scored the most effective win of his profession to advance into the Flyweight High 5. She appears prepared for the most effective, so if the division ever will get shifting once more, a title eliminator subsequent can be cheap.

Garcia Retains Constructing Momentum

How about Steve Garcia?!? The person began his UFC profession with a 1-2 run, and he wasn’t precisely younger. He appeared like every other Contenders Sequence product unlikely to obtain a second UFC contract. Then, he beat Chase Hooper’s ass so badly that the prospect deserted ship to Light-weight, and issues began to alter.

Final evening, Garcia scored his fifth-straight knockout within the UFC towards Kyle Nelson, a fellow veteran within the midst of an surprising surge. Garcia had his again taken early, however as quickly as he reversed his means into prime place, “The Imply Machine” bought working. He unleashed a genuinely nasty sequence of elbows, battering his opponent with an never-ending flurry of floor strikes. Nelson couldn’t get Garcia off him, and the injury gathered shortly for a first-round stoppage.

The place’s Garcia’s ceiling? I do not know. He’s already climbed a lot greater than most anticipated. Maybe it’s time for a foe within the High 15 subsequent?

A Flyweight Brawl

Cody Durden vs. Matt Schnell was precisely the banger that the majority predicted.

For 5 full minutes, the 2 tried arduous to knock out each other. Each threw together, standing within the pocket and lengthening rapid-fire photographs. Schnell’s rise up method was a bit cleaner, however Durden made up for that hole with uncooked aggression. It was a extremely aggressive spherical, one which noticed each males land damaging blows in an entertaining commerce.

Then, Schnell tried a double leg takedown early within the second, and it backfired horribly. He appeared stunned and surprised by simply how briskly Durden sprawled on his shot, leaving him weak. The wrestler shortly wrapped up a entrance choke, and Schnell was pressured to frantically faucet after failing to spin his means free.

After the defeat, Schnell left his gloves within the cage to sign his retirement. In case you haven’t see his victory reverse Su Mudaerji, do your self a favor and look it up — it’s the most effective comebacks of the final decade. “Hazard” was an motion fighter to his core, and what else can we actually ask of the fighters?

Extra Ideas

Chris Padilla defeats Rongzhu through second-round physician’s stoppage: The extremely gnarly end doesn’t precisely mirror the remainder of the combat. For many of two rounds Rongzhu and Padilla took turns standing in entrance of one another, kicking calves, and swinging large. Rongzhu’s physicality and energy appeared to have constructed a small lead, but it surely was very tit-for-tat. When Padilla began circling off, nonetheless, Rongzhu chased him and ran immediately into a wonderfully timed counter elbow that landed on to the attention. Moments later, Rongzhu’s eye was absolutely swollen shut, and the physician was pressured to intervene.

Isaac Dulgarian defeats Brendon Marotte through second-round arm triangle choke (HIGHLIGHTS): The largest UFC favourite in historical past seemed the half. Dulgarian effortlessly dominated his opponent, touchdown quick takedowns and climbing into mount immediately. Marotte was rendered defensive all the time, and he finally was pressured to undergo one in all Dulgarian’s many arm triangle choke makes an attempt.

Jaqueline Amorim defeats Vanessa Demopoulos through first-round armbar (HIGHLIGHTS): It’s numerous enjoyable to look at Amorim grapple. The jiu-jitsu world champion transitions very well, forcing her opponent to just accept one unhealthy place or one other, typically whereas touchdown floor strikes alongside the best way. She dragged down Demopoulos and superior to mount shortly, wrapping up an armbar seconds later when her opponent tried to blow up out of the unhealthy place. There was a little bit of controversy about whether or not or not Amorim grabbed the glove within the course of, however the first-round end will nearly definitely stand. Consequently, Amorim has now received her final three UFC fights all through end!

Nathan Fletcher defeats Zygimantas Ramaska through second-round arm triangle choke (HIGHLIGHTS): It’s actually troublesome to win fights from backside in trendy MMA. This pair of Final Fighter (TUF) veterans have been trying to earn a spot on the UFC roster, however Ramaska’s takedown protection merely failed him. He was energetic from his again, however slowly Fletcher discovered his offensive submission sport and was in a position to counter with floor strikes. Over time, Fletcher constructed his lead, superior place, and wrapped up the strangle for a profitable Featherweight debut.

For full UFC Vegas 97 outcomes, protection, and highlights, click on HERE.