Curtis Blaydes landed a record-breaking 14 takedowns, the most in any heavyweight fight in UFC history, en route to a lopsided unanimous decision win over Alexander Volkov.
The two heavyweight stalwarts had to live up to a fiery, action-packed co-main event that saw a mostly one-legged Josh Emmett defeat Shane Burgos and by most accounts they did not come close, with the wrestle-heavy approach of Blaydes nullifying the striking prowess of his Russian opponent.
Out with the old? Not if Jim Miller has anything to do with it
Jim Miller def. Roosevelt Roberts via submission (armbar), round 1 (2:25)
Veteran's experience played its part as Jim Miller opened the main card - and ended his 35th UFC fight - quickly with a first-round submission over Roosevelt Roberts.
The rangy Roberts saw his height and reach advantage instantly nullified after losing his balance from a kick as Miller took control on the ground. Roberts tried to work his way up with caution as he dragged himself towards the fence, but when trying to shake off Miller as he got up, the submission specialist was able to get a hold of the arm and as Roberts lifted him up, the armbar was secured forcing a verbal tap. Miller turning back the clock, who at the time tied the record for most fights in UFC history.
Remember the Name, Remember Three Straight
Belal Muhammad def. Lyman Good via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Belal Muhammad made it three on the bounce as he outsmarted and for the most part evaded the power of Lyman Good en route to a unanimous decision victory.
Good applied the pressure and pushed the pace from the start, while Muhammad's footwork and lateral movement was keeping him thinking, waiting on the outside looking to counter. Good found some success with the jab, snapping his opponent's head back a couple of times in a close opening round.
Belal looked to use his wrestling in the second round, which was paused briefly for an accidental eye poke midway through. Good continued to struggle to pin down the Chicago-born Muhammad in the second round barring a small exchange towards the end of the round where he landed a few big shots.
Good needed something big going into the final round and he found it with a crushing right hand that wobbled Muhammad in his tracks, later stumbling to his knees as he attempted a takedown and clinched to shake the cobwebs. Belal was backing up as Good looked to put his cardio advantage to the test, but when Muhammad took his back and pursued a choke in the final moments of the round, that all but secured the victory.
Pennington spoils the birthday party
Raquel Penninngton def. Marion Reneau via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Marion Reneau was dealt a loss on her 43rd birthday at the hands of Raquel Pennington, who grounded out a hard-fought victory over three rounds.
Intermittent periods of clinching and grappling took its toll on both fighters in what turned out to be a gruelling three rounds of combat, but ultimately Pennington's knees in the clinch and stand-up helped her pull ahead but was unable to dispatch the very durable Reneau.
No left leg, no problem as Emmett outguns Burgos in thrilling co-main
Josh Emmett def. Shane Burgos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Josh Emmett refused to be deterred as he continued to mount a run at the featherweight title, outgunning Shane Burgos for the decision in an exciting co-main event.
Shane Burgos pressed the pace right from the beginning, and only intensified his efforts when Emmett appeared to hyper-extend his knee (in what was later found out to be an ACL tear and MCL sprain) prompting a barrage of inside leg kicks. Emmett's movement may have been compromised but he still had every intention of knocking his opponent out, loading up with overhand rights trying to catch him coming forward.
Emmett continued to look unsteady on the injured leg, while Burgos' forward pressure was relentless. He continued to pump the lead jab and began to throw some combinations behind it, however Emmett remained dangerous and landed flush with overhands as he exploded forward - it was razor-close through two rounds.
Momentum would really shift favour in the way of the 35-year-old Emmett early in the final round where he switched stances and landed a right hand that dropped Burgos, who took moderate damage on the ground before getting back up, later causing a halt to the action with an unintentional groin strike. After his mandated recovery time Emmett came forward with a vengeance, landing a couple of huge overhand rights, which opened up Burgos to eat an overhand left unexpectedly that hurt him badly as he crumpled towards the canvas. He overcame the damage as Emmett tried to rain down elbows, eventually getting back to his feet where he would continue to come forward, eating big shots and trying to counter - both fighters were swinging for the fences towards the end of what was the clear fight of the night.
Blaydes smothers Volkov in record-breaking performance
Curtis Blaydes def. Alexander Volkov via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-46)
Blaydes outlined his gameplan from the word go, pursuing a takedown and forcing Volkov against the cage. He was unable to take the Russian down in the first round considering he was still fresh, resulting in close to 5 minutes of clinch work.
With Volkov perhaps weary of the takedown, Blaydes was able to sneak in a big right hand in some fiery exchanges, before an excellently-timed double leg. He was in Volkov's guard for the most part before "Drago" got back to his feet, landing a few kicks before getting taken down again.
Volkov was handed a confidence boost in the third when he managed to stuff a takedown attempt, alas in vain as he would spend most of the round being smothered against the fence, with Blaydes now trying to do damage too. Volkov did attempt a guillotine choke later in the round but with no success, but with 2 rounds left there was still all to fight for as he looked sharp in some flurries to close out the round.
A kick from Volkov was caught and followed by a takedown, and after struggling back to his feet he was taken down again as Curits Blaydes broke the heavyweight record for most takedowns in a fight. Showing mercy to the fans watching around the globe the referee stood the fighters up after some inactivity, and Volkov was aggressively chasing looking for a 1-2 combination, and then went for a takedown himself.
The fifth round saw Blaydes begin to fade having worked so hard for the takedowns throughout the fight, eating a good body kick before, you guessed it, getting another takedown. Volkov tried to go for the spectacular but pursued a triangle choke unsuccessfully from the bottom as the fight drew to a close. A big win for Blaydes, but he hardly put any one on notice.
