UFC Fight Island concludes tonight with the Fight Island 3 fight card, a card that is stacked with fights all over. Dana even treated us to a bigger card, with 8 prelim fights and 7 main card bouts. From a blockbuster main event, to two legends fighting in the co-main, to Alexander Gustafsson making his heavyweight debut, the UFC is making sure Fight Island goes out with a bang!
Prelims:
Nathaniel Wood (W) vs John Castaneda – Bantamweight Bout
To kick the fight card off, we have a bout in the bantamweight division between highly rated prospect Nathaniel Wood vs John Castaneda. A fun first round with Wood opening up the round with some nice leg kicks as he was looking to angle a right hand in on Castaneda’s head. Castaneda was trying for some leg kicks himself and enjoyed some success with a few left hooks. Wood started to succeed with some more right hands and even more leg kicks, and near the end of the round finished with a nice trip takedown. 10-9 Wood for me.
Castaneda came out for the second round with a lot more urgency, throwing a lot of combos in quick succession to see if he could break the guard of Wood. Wood went back to the leg kicks and you could tell they were really hurting Castaneda. Wood pinned Castaneda against the cage and tried to work in the clinch, followed by some really nice combos to end the round. 20-18 Wood for me but the second was closer.
Round 3 was all Wood as he picked Castaneda apart, leg kicks were back again and Wood found some real success with them, stopping the rythym of Castaneda. Left hooks, right hands and some lovely, high-volume combos followed for Wood who was just picking Castaneda apart. Wood finished the fight with a takedown and a very impressive performance. 30-27 Wood for me and all 3 judges agreed with me.
Ramazan Emeev (W) vs Niklas Stolze – Welterweight Bout
Up next is a battle between welterweights as Ramazan Emeev looks to continue his UFC run whilst welcoming Niklas Stolze to the UFC octagon. Stolze opened up the first round with some nice calf kicks but Emeev answered back with an early takedown. Stolze did well to get back to his feet quickly but Emeev kept the pressure on and scored a second takedown, and almost turned it into a guillotine. Stolze seemed to go for a guillotine but ended up giving dominant position to Emeev. Stolze ended the round almost KOing Emeev with a nasty knee to the head as Emeev shot for a final takedown. 10-9 Emeev maybe, tough one to call with the ending.
Round 2 started and Emeev started the round with more intensity, but not with any wrestling but with some nice striking, with a nice powerful right finding its way through. Stolze seemed to really conserve his energy this round, only really throwing a powerful calf kick but not enough volume. Emeev started measuring his power with some high-volume combos and finished the round with a really nice right hand with Stolze’s back against the cage wall. 20-18 Emeev for me, possibly 19-19 though.
Round 3 started with Emeev instantly shooting in for a double leg takedown, Stolze defended it but got pushed against the cage where Emeev hit a brutal knee to the head. Stolze started to throw his hands more after that and even attempted a flying knee. Emeev kept the pressure up and managed to get Stolze up against the cage wall and threw some nasty knees to the body and head. Stolze shot for a guillotine at the end of the fight but the bell came and Emeev won the fight 30-27 for me. The judges gave it to Emeev too.
Bethe Correia vs Pannie Kianzad (W) – Women's Bantamweight Bout
The first women’s fight of the night is up next as 13th ranked contender Bethe Correia takes on former Cage Warriors champion Pannie Kianzad. Kianzad was fantastic throughout this first round, with some really powerful and technical shots that were cracking Correia all round, left hooks, right hands, and knees to the face. Correia tried for a couple of single legs but Kianzad defended them well. 10-9 Kianzad.
Kianzad seemed to open up the second round with as much success as she had in the 1st, cracking Correia with some great, technical shots. That was until Kianzad lost her balance and gave up dominant position for Correia to get some nice ground and pound in, although she allowed Kianzad to get to her feet to easily. From there Kianzad cracked Correia with some more powerful shots and ended the round nicely. 20-18 Kianzad for me.
Round 3 was just an absolute war as both women threw some hellacious hooks and shots to the other. Kianzade was hit with a nasty left hook which caught her attention but she answered back with some nasty shots herself. Correia was looking more and more compromised and Kianzade almost put her away with a nice 3 piece combo. Correia got the takedown near the end of the round but couldn’t get the finish she needed as the bell rang. 30-27 Kianzade for me and the judges agree as they give the decision win to Kianzade.
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Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports
Tanner Boser (W) vs Raphael Pessoa Nunes – Heavyweight Bout
Next up are the heavyweights as Tanner Boser and Raphael Pessoa Nunes do battle in an exciting bout. Pretty lackluster first round, with Boser trying to stay on the outside and away from the heavy-handed Pessoa. Boser was enjoying some nice success with his leg kicks as Pessoa tried charging in to hit Boser with some right hands. Not much else happened, but I’ll say 10-9 Boser.
Round 2 started at around the same pace as Boser was still staying on the outside, smashing up the lead leg of Pessoa. Pessoa tried to get some clinch work in but couldn’t find anything as Boser was firing to the body that opened up an overhead right that caught Pessoa on the side of the temple and eye, Pessoa retreated back and fell to the floor and Boser finished the fight with some ground and pound.
Movsar Evloev (W) vs Mike Grundy – Featherweight Bout
We move to the featherweight division for this next fight as Movsar Evloev faces UK fighter Mike Grundy. Grundy started the fight off really well, getting an early takedown but Evloev found his way back to the feet. Grundy got a second takedown and looked to have a d’arce choke locked in but Evloev magically got out of it and then stunned Grundy with a beautiful little combo that caused a lot of swelling to form under Grundy’s eye. Close round but I have it 10-9 Grundy.
Round 2 was a brilliant round for Evloev, just completely picking Grundy apart on the feet, piecing together some really nice combos through the guard of Grundy. Grundy managed to score some more takedowns but Evloev just found a way back to his feet quickly and then he stunned Grundy again with a combo, followed by a spinning back kick. 19-19 but probably 20-18 for Evloev.
Round 3 was very similar to the 2nd round as Evloev just kept breaking the guard of Grundy with some really nice hooks and left-handed jabs, Grundy scored another 2 takedowns but never controlled Evloev long enough for them to matter. Evloev ended the round nicely, with a little combo and I have it 29-28 Evloev. Judges agreed as they gave the decision win to Evloev.
Tom Aspinall (W) vs Jake Collier – Heavyweight Bout
We move back to the heavyweight division as Liverpool’s Tom Aspinall makes his UFC debut against a returning Jake Collier who’s making his debut at heavyweight. WOW, this fight ended as quickly as it started as Aspinall caught Collier with a wonderful knee to the stomach and followed it up with a powerful 1-2 to cleanly knock Collier out, what a debut on this big stage!
Nicolas Dalby vs Jesse Ronson (W) – Welterweight Bout
Back down to the welterweight division for this next one as Nicolas Dalby and Jesse Ronson do battle as both guys look to have a better 2nd tenure in the UFC. What a first round, both guys went for body kicks at the start and then Dalby let his hands go. Both guys were throwing shots at high volume and Dalby then body locked Ronson to the cage wall, looking to work in the clinch. Ronson got out well and caught Dalby with a beauty of a shot that sent Dalby to the ground. From there Ronson started throwing elbows down, one after another. Dalby tried to scramble his way out, but gave his back up, allowing Ronson to lock in a rear-naked choke and win the fight via submission, what a way to return to the UFC.
Francisco Trinaldo (W) vs Jai Herbert – Lightweight Bout
In the featured prelim bout, we have UFC legend Francisco Trinaldo welcoming former Cage Warrior’s champion Jai Herbert to the UFC octagon. Herbert seemed to start well, finding Trinaldo with a right hand at range but the veteran charged forward, caught Herbert with a nice right of his own and then took him down. From there he threw down some nasty elbows and looked to get a guillotine locked in. Herbert got to his feet but Trinaldo found another takedown. Herbet got to his feet once again and caught Trinaldo with some nice knees and got a takedown of his own to end the round. 10-9 Trinaldo.
Round 2 started and Herbert sent Trinaldo crashing to the floor with an electric right hand. Herbert jumped on top, trying to get the finish and managed to get the back of Trinaldo. From there he worked for the rear naked choke for a couple of minutes until the fight returned to the fight. Herbert just kept finding a landing spot for his right hand and found some really nice knees to the face too that kept stunning Trinaldo. 19-19 going into round 3 but all momentum is with Herbert.
Well what an end to the fight as Herbert was looking so well until Trinaldo caught him with a monstrous overhead left that sent Herbert falling back out cold and with that he continues his win streak to 3 wins.
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Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports
Main Card:
Khamzat Chimaev (W) vs Rhys McKee – Welterweight Bout
Welterweights kick off the show as Khamzat Chimaev breaks history for the fastest turnaround in UFC history as he welcomes Rhys McKee to the UFC octagon. This fight was just one-sided for the entire 3 minutes it lasted, Chimaev got the early takedown and was just raining down ground and pound from all different dominant positions, after at least 50 strikes the ref stepped in and called the fight and Chimaev breaks the record for quickest turnaround victory in UFC history.
Alex Oliveira (W) vs Peter Sobotta – Welterweight Bout
We’re sticking at welterweight for the next fight on the main card as Alex Oliveira faces Peter Sobotta. This was a war of kicks in the first round as Sobotta opened the round with a stinging body kick, but Oliveira hit back with a front kick to the body which hurt Sobotta. Both guys kept throwing the kicks, both to the legs and body with Oliveira constantly looking for that potent front kick. 10-9 Oliveira.
Round 2 was exceptional work for Oliveira as he just kept on finding a home for his body kicks, especially that front kick. Sobotta just couldn’t find a way to get into Oliveira’s range and those body kicks just kept on coming. The fight was stopped twice, for a low hit and an eyepoke and the round ended with Oliveira knocking Sobotta down with a nasty strike over the top as Sobotta looked for a body kick. 20-18 Oliveira, easily.
Round 3 was pretty lackluster, Sobotta needed a finish to win the fight but he never looked like getting one, or even wanting to get one. He shot for a takedown but failed and Oliveira just kept landing body kick after body kick to Sobotta to win all 3 rounds for me. 30-27 should be the score cards and the judges agreed with the scores as Oliveira gets the decision win.
Paul Craig (W) vs Gadzhimurad Antigulov – Light Heavyweight Bout
We move up to the light heavyweight division on the main card as Paul Craig takes on Gadzhimurad Antigulov in what should be a submission showdown. Antigulov came out aggressive at the first bell, piecing a quick 1-2 together and taking Craig to the ground within the first minute of the fight. From there, Antigulov started swinging some heavy ground and pound, but Craig threatened with an arm triangle off his back. Antigulov escaped but didn’t take the warning as he left himself open for another arm triangle, this time Craig locks it in tight and gets the tap for the quick submission win, a submission win that ties him for the most submission wins at light heavyweight in the UFC.
Carla Esparza (W) vs Marina Rodriguez – Women's Strawweight Bout
We now switch to the women as we have a bout between two top ten rated strawweight contenders doing battle in Carla Esparza and Marina Rodriguez. Carla Esparza started really well in this first round, taking Marina down and enjoying a good amount of time on top, laying shots down. Marina was throwing some nasty elbows from the bottom though and she caught Carla with one that sliced her open, blood pouring everywhere. Marina then turned the tables on Carla, getting dominant position and laying some more elbows down, she then pieced together a couple of right hands at the end of the round, 10-9 Marina for me.
Round 2 started like round 1, with Carla shooting and getting a takedown early on and keeping dominant position for the majority of the round. However, she stayed much more active this time around and really hit Marina with some nice shots from above. Marina got a little opening late on and hit some nice ground and pound as Carla looked for an ankle submission and I’d say it’s 19-19 after 2.
Carla carried the momentum of round 2 and started really well in round 3 getting another early takedown and enjoying great moments with some nice ground and pound. Marina was constantly looking to get back to her feet but could never shake Carla off her and Carla was becoming more active with her ground and pound. Carla got another 2 takedowns in the fight and I have it 29-28 Carla. Carla got the nod from the judges, one somehow scoring it 30-27 to Carla.
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Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports
Fabricio Werdum (W) vs Alexander Gustafsson – Heavyweight Bout
In a matchup we never thought we’d see, UFC legend Fabricio Werdum faces one of the best light heavyweights Alexander Gustafsson as he makes his surprising heavyweight debut. Well Gustafsson’s debut at heavyweight didn’t last too long. Gustafsson looked sharp, keeping a similar look to how he looked down in light heavyweight and threw his hands at Werdum early, Werdum managed to shoot for a takedown and get it, getting the back of Gustafsson. Most were expecting to see Werdum work for the rear naked choke, but instead he worked for the armbar, and after some decent defending from Gustafsson, he had no other choice but to tap. Werdum takes the world by surprise.
Mauricio Rua (W) vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira – Light Heavyweight Bout
In the co-main event of the evening, two legends and fan favourites in the MMA world take eachother on as Mauricio Rua fights Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in a rematch. My god these guys are getting on in age but they were throwing down like they’d just started their careers. Rua enjoyed some early success with leg kicks whilst Nogueira circled, trying to find a way inside. Nogueira locked Rua in against the cage and got some nice shots to the body. Nogueira then spun off and hit a wonderful left hand and both guys just started throwing wildly. Rua scored a late takedown to end the round. 10-9 Nogueira for me.
Round 2 was just as wild, Rua went back to some inner leg kicks but Nogueira was just constantly finding a home for his straight left hand. Nogueira got a takedown and enjoyed a lot of control time before Rua managed to scramble his way to his feet. Rua found some success with his right hand, but Nogueira started teeing off with Rua back up against the cage wall. 20-18 Nogueira for me.
Round 3 started with both guys happy to throw shots at eachother, with Rua looking for more kicks to the leg and body, whilst Nogueira was constantly trying to setup the left hand. Nogueira managed to get a few left hands through and stun Rua, but Rua answered back with some right hands of his own. Rua got a takedown with a minute to go and stayed in dominant position, laying down some nasty ground and pound to end the fight. I have it 29-28 Nogueira but the judges disagreed as they gave the split decision to Rua.
Robert Whittaker (W) vs Darren Till – Middleweight Bout
And its finally time for the main event, a fight every fan in the world has been looking forward to as Robert Whittaker takes on Darren Till. Till started the fight, charging in on Whittaker but met two stiff left jabs, Till sat back after that and sent shots in from range whilst Whittaker got a little wild with shots. Till caught Whittaker with a really nice elbow that dropped Whittaker who managed to recover after some nice defense on his back. Till then stunned Whittaker two more times with a nice left hand, 10-9 Till for me after 1.
Round 2 started and Whittaker found a nice left hook to Till to remind him of the power, Till stayed back out of range, trying to find an opening and as he tried to make one Whittaker caught him with a vicious overhead right that sent Till to the floor. Whittaker jumped on top looking for the finish but couldn’t find it, settling for some control time. Whittaker then started working on the lead leg of Till with some nasty leg kicks, 19-19 after two.
Round 3 was at a much slower pace than the others as both guys were wary of being knocked down earlier in the fight and trying to find a way through eachothers gameplan. Whittaker worked on the lead leg of Till at the start of the round but both guys were looking for a way to get their power shots through. Whittaker keeps throwing that overhead right with some serious power but Till has the read on it and looks to be loading up an elbow at some point. Tough round to call, 29-28 Whittaker maybe?
Round 4 was very similar to round 3, both guys aren’t willing to fully unload as they know the other has KO power waiting to be used. Till did piece a nice 3 hit combo with his right that had Whittaker retreating and was still looking for that elbow, whilst Whittaker seemed to be looking for that overhead right and missing for the majority of attempts. Way too close to call so I’ll say its 38-38 with one to go.
Round 5 was another close round, both guys not willing to let their hands go but Till enjoyed the majority of the success that round, piecing together some nice left hands and caught Whittaker with a really nice elbow that cut Whittaker open and blood was pouring out. Whittaker scored to late takedowns but Till got straight back up. I want to give the round to Till but the judges will give it to Whittaker so he should win 48-47, the judges agree but I feel like neither guy deserved to lose that.
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports
