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| Image: Zuffa LLC |
But that was exactly the case as the UFC went ahead with its fourth event since its return from the COVID-19 pandemic, this time in the empty, 130,000 square feet UFC-owned production space in Las Vegas. The main event saw five rounds of domination as Burns dropped, mauled and rag dolled Woodley en route to a lopsided unanimous decision victory.
That topped another fun card as another helping of live sport was injected into our lives.
Dern cracks the Cifers
Mackenzie Dern def. Hannah Cifers via submission (kneebar), round 1 (2:36)
Mackenzie Dern got her name back in the win column through an impressive kneebar submission over an aggressive Hanah Cifers to open the main card.
Her first attempts at clinching didn't go to plan, eating a concoction of knees before the break, but after some decent work on the feet she was able to get a takedown. Cifers managed to scramble when taken down, and land some ground-and-pound while in the guard of the jiu-jitsu ace, but she would pay for staying there. When Dern got a hold of the leg, that was all she wrote, securing the kneebar for the tap.
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| Image: MMA Junkie / USA TODAY Sports |
Roberts weaves through Brok on the ground
Roosevelt Roberts def. Brok Weaver via submission (rear naked choke), round 2 (3:26)
Roosevelt Roberts capped off a comprehensive performance with a sensational second-round choke of Brok Weaver.
Weaver was eager to close the distance and clinch against the fence in the early goings of the contest, with Roberts showing a great advantage of speed in the striking realm. "The Predator" was hunting that neck however, and while Weaver spun out of it in the first round, the next 5 minutes would be very different.
Roberts was now willing to engage in the clinch when he finally secured a takedown with a submission attempt. He quickly worked his way to top mount, where Weaver evaded the first rear-naked choke, but was softened by some ground-and-pound thumps before another choke, and there was no getting out of that one.
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| Image: MMA Fighting |
Quarantillo prevents a second Spike
Billy Quarantillo def. Spike Carlyle via uannimous decision (29-28)
A featherweight dog fight saw Billy Quarantillo overcome an early surge from the eccentric Spike Carlyle to get the nod on the judges scorecards.
Carlyle was hot out the gates with a running knee with Quarantillo trying to switch levels for a takedown, only to end on the bottom and receive ground-and-pound mixed in with various submission attempts for the first stanza. Any time he tried to get back on his feet Carlyle would drag him back down.
Things were continuing to go towards Spike's favour who stunned Quarantillo with a big elbow in the second round, however he would end up on the bottom for a while going for some submissions of his own. Eventually Carlyle turned the tables once again, but he was fading, and only just managed to see off two triangle chokes at the end of the second round.
In the third it was all Quarantillo who had his way. Carlyle was trying to keep him down and see out the fight for the win but almost succumb to a big choke synced in midway through the round. They both got back up to their feet for the final seconds of the fight, swinging for the fences, before Quarantillo picked off some big punches which, if there were a few more seconds of the fight, would have almost definitely put away Carlyle.
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| Image: MMA Fighting |
Sakai grabs victory over Ivanov in co-main
Augusto Sekai def. Blagoy Ivanov via split decision (29-28. 29-28, 27-30)
Augusto Sekai found himself in a razor-close heavyweight co-main event against the experienced Blagoy Ivanov - and a wild scorecard had him the victor after 3 rounds.
Ivanov took the centre early, but the Brazilian quickly grew into the fight, first finding his range with some kicks that soon took their toll on Ivanov's movement.
A big left hand in response by the Bulgarian in round 2 was the peak of his offence, but Sakai was going strong while there were hints that the European was beginning to fade. Both men exchanged shots in a fiery exchange towards the end of the round, after Ivanov ate a knee in the clinch and closed the round out with a takedown.
It was well poised, arguably a round apiece going into the final stanza, where the most notable point was a fence grab by Sakai that denied a takedown and may have had big implications on the scorecard if the takedown either landed or the point deduction occurred. Ivanov still closed the round out strong but it was Sakai who took it on the scorecards.
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| Image: MMA Fighting |
Woodley crashes and Burns in return from title loss
Gilbert Burns def. Tyron Woodley via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-44)
"Durinho" Gilbert Burns outclassed and outworked former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley over five rounds at the UFC Apex to propel himself into the welterweight title conversation.
"The Chosen One" was making his first Octagon appearance in more than 15 months and received the most abrupt of wake-up calls. An eager Burns took the centre of the cage and wobbled the former champion early in the first-round, following him as he wobbled to the canvas to unleash some ground-and-pound that left his opponent with a brutal cut above the eye. Veteran’s experience came into play however as he held on to Burns on the ground to shake off the cob webs - but when the fight did make itself back to the feet towards the end of the first round Woodley ate a body kick and big left hook.
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| Image: EssentiallySports.com |
An otherwise gunshy Woodley was hoping that one shot would do the trick, but the first time he landed it Burns remained unfazed. Burns was in full control and you would not have thought it considering he was a former lightweight fighting one of the best 170-pounders in the sport. He controlled the clinch against the fence, and Woodley was already looking disheartened, with his late takedown attempt unsuccessful.
Through three rounds a wishful right hand from Woodley was the best he could conjure up. Burns was not deterred and had Woodley wincing at his leg kicks, applying pressure throughout.
Woodley would touch the canvas again when the championship rounds began after another huge shot from Burns, who tried to force a late submission to no avail.
A finish was needed for Woodley to salvage the fight in its final round but it never looked like it would materialise. Burns wasn't going to run away either - he was looking to finish a fight in which he was firmly in the lead by pressing the pace further. A left hook was the response to the hail mary-esque attempts of the former champion's right hand, which ended at the sound of the bell with only one winner in everyone's eyes.
Gilbert Burns is clamouring for a title shot and you can't deny that he deserves it. The way he has made his mark in this 170 lbs division since August is remarkable and few would argue if he was next for Usman, but whatever the case there are plenty of big fights lined up for him. For Woodley, the options are far more bleak for a man who looked a shell of the champion who was well on his way to carve a legacy as a welterweight great.
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| Image: MMA Mania |
