“I love these kind of fights, when you have two of the baddest dudes in the world, undefeated, in their prime, facing off for the world title. Nothing gets better than this. I said when you look at this fight stylistically, I pick this fight to be fight of the year”
These were the words UFC President Dana White used to describe the main event at UFC 253 in the pre-fight press conference. While not quite a “fight of the year”, Fight Island lived up to the name in not only the main event but most of the card. It was a night that ended with a new Light Heavyweight champion and Israel Adesanya showing why he belongs in the conversation of P4P best fighter in the world.
Israel Adesanya (c) (20-0) defeats Paulo Costa (13-1)
Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya is not only a showman but he is also a bad, bad man and he showed why he deserves to be in the discussion of P4P best in the world as he remained undefeated Saturday night. Adesanya is now tied with former middleweight champion Chris Weidman for the second longest win streak in division history at 9, only trailing UFC Legend Anderson Silva who has 13, with a what seemed to be easy night of work. Paulo Costa wasn’t expected to be as easy of a night, the Brazilian was also undefeated and all but one of his 13 victories were won by stoppage.
That didn’t seem to bother Israel, The leg kicks from Adesanya came fast and heavy in the first round as he laid waste to the lead leg of challenger Paulo Costa. By the time round 2 had begun you could see and tell those kicks did the damage, Costa wasn’t taunting anymore as Adesanya continued with precise attacks. The fight was stopped after Adesanya sent Costa down with a right overhand, left hook combination. Israel then continued with the ground and pound until the referee stepped in to call off the fight 3:59 of the 2nd round.
So, what’s next for Israel Adesanya? He’s cleared out most of the division and has already ruled out a superfight with friend and Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman. After the fight Adesanya did say that if Jared Cannonier gets past Robert Whittaker, who Israel has already beat, he would be next in line.
Jan Blachowicz (27-8) defeats Dominick Reyes (12-2) For Vacant Light Heavyweight title
It’s been a while since we’ve seen anyone not named Jones or Cormier hold the Light Heavyweight Championship, since 2011. However, Jan Blachowicz is now the man to come find at the top of the division. Dominick Reyes came into this title fight fresh off a lose to Jon Jones for the Title back in February. That was the only lose on his resume and many believe he had a claim to winning that fight. None of that seemed to impress Blachowicz who came forward the whole fight and eventually caught Reyes with some heavy shots that ended the fight at 4:36 of the 2nd round by TKO. Not only earning performance of the night but also prompting for champion Jon Jones to chime in
A lot of guys in the Light Heavyweight division would love to get another shot at the title since their loses to Jones or Cormier. The logical next fight for Jan Blachowicz would be the winner of the often postponed bout between Glover Teixeira and Thiago Santos scheduled for November 7th.
Brandon Royval (12-4) defeats Kai Kara-France (21-9)
When speaking of “Fight Island” this is what you talk about. This was a total nonstop action fight from bell to bell, earning Fight Of The Night
After a knockdown brawl, the fight ended when Royval caught Kara-France in a guillotine choke at 0:48 of the 2nd Round. Brandon Royval is on a 4 fight win streak and should be in line for a top 5 fight within the division given his performance
Ketlen Vieira (11-1) defeats Sijara Eubanks (7-5)
Vieira returned to her winning ways on Saturday night after suffering her fist and only loss Last December to Irene Aldana. Ketlen struck early and often out striking Eubanks, who was game to throw back from the start.
Sijara took the fight on short notice but didn’t let that stop her from hanging in there against the title contender. This surely puts Vieira back in the talk of top contenders. Only problem being all road lead to the undisputed, two division champion and new mother, Amanda Nunes
Hakeem Dawodu (12-1) defeats Zubaira Tukhugov (19-5)
Hakeem has been screaming for a top 10 opponent and also spent most of the 3rd round yelling at Tukhugov to engage him.
In a fight that could have went either way down the stretch, Zubaira Tukhugov spent most of it circling the cage essentially running from Dawodu. Surely not the performance corner man, training partner and undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was looking for out of his fighter. We will have to see if Hakeem gets the fight he’s looking for next
The UFC returns to Fight Island next week as former Women’s Champion Holly Holm headlines the card against Irene Aldana
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