UFC 250 report
There was a reason why one individual in Las Vegas placed a $1 million bet on an Amanda Nunes victory at UFC 250. That's because she is the greatest female fighter of all time (if not greatest of all time in general), proving it again with a five-round demolition of a resilient, but extremely outmatched Felicia Spencer.
The Brazilian dual champion became the first fighter in UFC history to successfully defend both of her titles as she flawlessly imposed her will through five rounds.
The title fight rounded off an action-packed card which saw Sean O'Malley, Aljamain Sterling and Cody Garbrandt pick up statement-making wins on what was also a massive night for the men's bantamweight division.
Prelims
Ian Heinisch needed less than 2 minutes to dispatch Gerald Meerschaert with a crushing right-hand after feinting a level change, swarming him with some big ground-and-pound to get his name back in the win column.
Experience paid the price as Alex Caceres handed 20-year-old Chase Hooper his first professional loss, dropping him in the first-round and going on to light him up on the feet, while avoiding any sustained ground offence over three rounds for the decision.
Sweet KO for "Suga"
Sean O'Malley def. Eddie Wineland via KO (punch), round 1 (1:54)
Sean O'Malley promised another "viral knockout" when he stepped inside the cage with divisional veteran Eddie Wineland, and in less than 2 minutes he did just that.
After an aggressive start from the former title challenger Wineland who landed a firm right hand that left "Suga" unfazed, a perfect feint opened feint opened him up to receive a crushing right hand that was all she wrote, as O'Malley walked off having made yet another statement.
On a night where two other undefeated records were shattered, the 25-year-old was determined to make sure the curse did not continue, and he did so in devastating fashion. "I really do believe I have the best striking in MMA", he told Joe Rogan in the post-fight interview - he's well-set on making his point.
Pace-pushing Magny pours it on Martin
Neil Magny def. Anthony Rocco Martin via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
New nickname, same Neil Magny - if not better. The "Haitian Sensation" pushed the pace through three rounds to see off Anthony Rocco Martin in a hard-fought bout.
Martin employed his strength advantage in the smaller cage in the opening round but was unable to finish a takedown as Magny began to build-up the striking numbers in his favour with calf kicks, although he ate a big right counter in the process.
In the depths of the second round, Martin was beginning to show signs of wear from the pace of the welterweight stalwart, most likely after giving it his all to secure a big double-leg takedown. Magny soon popped back up to his feet after fending off a choke and finished the round with a strong one-two that backed up his opponent.
It was a whitewash in the final round, as Magny poured it on and used his patented cardio to full advantage. The strikes were landing and in the clinch he was more assertive but still unable to secure the takedown. A flash-in-the-pan right hand from Martin momentarily stopped Magny in his tracks, but he finished strong in an extremely close fight.
Sterling walks through The Sandman
Aljamain Sterling def. Cory Sandhagen via submission (rear-naked choke), round 1 (1:28)
It was always going to be a massive night for the bantamweight division, and Aljamain Sterling put all 135s on notice wasting no time in submitting Cory Sandhagen.
From the bell Sterling closed the distance and had Sandhagen's back within seconds after catching a kick, locking in a choke which Sanghagen managed to fend off by tucking his jaw. With the body triangle still synced in, Sterling put in more work and then managed to get the rear-naked choke under the chin and this time the reluctant Sadhagen had to tap out and promptly passed out.
Sterling was fired up and rightly so, putting himself well and truly in line for the next shot at the vacant title. Petr Yan vs. Jose Aldo is expected to determine the next champion, but Sterling may have just scuppered those plans with what he did at the Apex. He just cannot be denied.
"No Love" back with a bang
Cody Garbrandt def. Raphael Assuncao via knockout (punch), round 2 (4:59)
Cody Garbrandt made an emphatic return to the win column by way of a devastating second-round knockout against Raphael Assuncao.
"No Love" was coming off three straight stoppage defeats having lost the bantamweight crown, but appeared sharper and more focused as the fight began, enjoying a significant speed advantage and stifling the Brazilian with calf kicks. Assuncao did respond with a big right counter but barring that he was struggling to get into the fight.
Cody's confidence was growing as the second round began, and he toyed with some level changes and takedown attempts, along with more calf kicks that had Assuncao uncertain on both stances. Assuncao soon felt the power of the former champion when he was dropped and got back up, and the momentum was swinging in Garbrandt's favour. In the very last second of the round, he ducked out of the way of Assuncao's shot and unleashed a devastating right hook that sent his opponent face down on the canvas as the buzzer went off, forcing the referee to wave it off.
In a bantamweight division teeming with life right now, Garbrandt just threw himself back into the mix with the stoppage of an extremely durable opponent. Things have just gotten incredibly interesting at 135.
Nunes makes historic champ-champ title defence
Amanda Nunes def. Felicia Spencer via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-45)
Amanda Nunes added another pillar to her historic legacy, becoming the first simultaneous champion in UFC history to successfully defend both of her titles, pummelling a tough Felicia Spencer for five rounds in the main event.
The champion came out sharp and reddened the face of her opponent within seconds after landing a big elbow in close quarters. Her one-two combinations which have become synonymous with her signature wins were already landing as she buzzed the challenger with a crisp right hand. The Canadian went for a takedown but was instantly demoralised when Nunes reversed it in the whizzer and tripped her for a takedown, raining down elbows to close out a strong first round.
Sean O'Malley def. Eddie Wineland via KO (punch), round 1 (1:54)
Sean O'Malley promised another "viral knockout" when he stepped inside the cage with divisional veteran Eddie Wineland, and in less than 2 minutes he did just that.
After an aggressive start from the former title challenger Wineland who landed a firm right hand that left "Suga" unfazed, a perfect feint opened feint opened him up to receive a crushing right hand that was all she wrote, as O'Malley walked off having made yet another statement.
On a night where two other undefeated records were shattered, the 25-year-old was determined to make sure the curse did not continue, and he did so in devastating fashion. "I really do believe I have the best striking in MMA", he told Joe Rogan in the post-fight interview - he's well-set on making his point.
SEAN O'MALLEY (-500) PUT WINELAND TO SLEEP WITH THE ONE-PUNCH KO! š±— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) June 7, 2020
O’Malley is still undefeated with an 11-0 record. pic.twitter.com/kYJew99uig
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| Image: CBS Sports |
Pace-pushing Magny pours it on Martin
Neil Magny def. Anthony Rocco Martin via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
New nickname, same Neil Magny - if not better. The "Haitian Sensation" pushed the pace through three rounds to see off Anthony Rocco Martin in a hard-fought bout.
Martin employed his strength advantage in the smaller cage in the opening round but was unable to finish a takedown as Magny began to build-up the striking numbers in his favour with calf kicks, although he ate a big right counter in the process.
In the depths of the second round, Martin was beginning to show signs of wear from the pace of the welterweight stalwart, most likely after giving it his all to secure a big double-leg takedown. Magny soon popped back up to his feet after fending off a choke and finished the round with a strong one-two that backed up his opponent.
It was a whitewash in the final round, as Magny poured it on and used his patented cardio to full advantage. The strikes were landing and in the clinch he was more assertive but still unable to secure the takedown. A flash-in-the-pan right hand from Martin momentarily stopped Magny in his tracks, but he finished strong in an extremely close fight.
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| Image: FanSided |
Sterling walks through The Sandman
Aljamain Sterling def. Cory Sandhagen via submission (rear-naked choke), round 1 (1:28)
It was always going to be a massive night for the bantamweight division, and Aljamain Sterling put all 135s on notice wasting no time in submitting Cory Sandhagen.
From the bell Sterling closed the distance and had Sandhagen's back within seconds after catching a kick, locking in a choke which Sanghagen managed to fend off by tucking his jaw. With the body triangle still synced in, Sterling put in more work and then managed to get the rear-naked choke under the chin and this time the reluctant Sadhagen had to tap out and promptly passed out.
Sterling was fired up and rightly so, putting himself well and truly in line for the next shot at the vacant title. Petr Yan vs. Jose Aldo is expected to determine the next champion, but Sterling may have just scuppered those plans with what he did at the Apex. He just cannot be denied.
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| Image: Bloody Elbow |
"No Love" back with a bang
Cody Garbrandt def. Raphael Assuncao via knockout (punch), round 2 (4:59)
Cody Garbrandt made an emphatic return to the win column by way of a devastating second-round knockout against Raphael Assuncao.
"No Love" was coming off three straight stoppage defeats having lost the bantamweight crown, but appeared sharper and more focused as the fight began, enjoying a significant speed advantage and stifling the Brazilian with calf kicks. Assuncao did respond with a big right counter but barring that he was struggling to get into the fight.
Cody's confidence was growing as the second round began, and he toyed with some level changes and takedown attempts, along with more calf kicks that had Assuncao uncertain on both stances. Assuncao soon felt the power of the former champion when he was dropped and got back up, and the momentum was swinging in Garbrandt's favour. In the very last second of the round, he ducked out of the way of Assuncao's shot and unleashed a devastating right hook that sent his opponent face down on the canvas as the buzzer went off, forcing the referee to wave it off.
In a bantamweight division teeming with life right now, Garbrandt just threw himself back into the mix with the stoppage of an extremely durable opponent. Things have just gotten incredibly interesting at 135.
Cody Garbrandt is back #UFC250 pic.twitter.com/6W2R0LZ3nI— Joshš (@_jrickz) June 7, 2020
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| Image: Bloody Elbow |
Nunes makes historic champ-champ title defence
Amanda Nunes def. Felicia Spencer via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-45)
Amanda Nunes added another pillar to her historic legacy, becoming the first simultaneous champion in UFC history to successfully defend both of her titles, pummelling a tough Felicia Spencer for five rounds in the main event.
The champion came out sharp and reddened the face of her opponent within seconds after landing a big elbow in close quarters. Her one-two combinations which have become synonymous with her signature wins were already landing as she buzzed the challenger with a crisp right hand. The Canadian went for a takedown but was instantly demoralised when Nunes reversed it in the whizzer and tripped her for a takedown, raining down elbows to close out a strong first round.
It was only the second round and the right hands from Nunes were already hard to count. The takedown attempts from Spencer were shrugged off at ease by the champion who got a takedown herself before letting Spencer back up. The dual champion was waiting at range as Spencer circled, landing elbows and kicks anytime she got close.
As the fight reached its halfway point Nunes began to turn it up and dominate. A big right hand saw Spencer drop her mouthguard allowing for a short break in the action. The gulf in class was again shown when Nunes caught a kick and slammed the contender down. Back on the feet, the uppercut hit the mark along with even more right hands - Nunes was in her stride and beating up her opponent at will.
Credit to Spencer was due as she made it to the championship rounds albeit bloody and bruised. Nunes picked up from where she left off, snapping the head back of Spencer with another big right. A lead elbow and further strikes were the cause of some significant swelling on the forehead of the Canadian, who was then taken down at ease. But she refused to shell up and take the damage, eating some big shots and then pushing forward. A desperate takedown attempt saw her end up on her knees and Nunes followed some ground-and-pound up with a choke attempt which appeared tight, but the bell went and somehow Spencer had made it to the fifth round.
In the final round it was more of the same, Spencer was coming forward and eating shots and it was a formality from then. The doctor briefly came in to look at the cut as the beatdown continued, but Spencer refused to go down and made it to the bell - with zero doubt about the outcome.
The next question is who's next for the champion. She has destroyed the best of the bunch and now is head and shoulders above the rest. But first on the agenda is motherhood, with her partner Nina Nunes expecting a baby in September.
The next question is who's next for the champion. She has destroyed the best of the bunch and now is head and shoulders above the rest. But first on the agenda is motherhood, with her partner Nina Nunes expecting a baby in September.
Amanda Nunes is all class.#UFC250 pic.twitter.com/o0r26obvKd— GIFSkull IV - @jack fix your DMCA! - #Lawyer. (@GifSkullIV) June 7, 2020
