Battle followers in Austin had been handled to an absolute present on Saturday evening. The 12-match combat card delivered eight knockouts, tying six different occasions for probably the most KO’s throughout a single occasion within the fashionable period. Rising stars like Joaquin Buckley, Gregory Rodrigues and Adrian Yanez made statements with finishes and put their divisions on discover.
However for the principle occasion and co-main occasion, knockouts weren’t the principle attraction. Kevin Holland seemed spectacular in his win over Tim Means within the co-main, whereas Josh Emmett and Calvin Kattar gave an epic five-round efficiency in the principle occasion. Emmett emerged victorious, however the place does that go away each fighters in a loaded featherweight division?
Brett Okamoto and Carlos Contreras Legaspi share their breakdown of UFC Battle Night time.
Emmett is deserving of a title shot after Saturday, but when I am wanting forward, I do not suppose that will likely be his subsequent combat. He isn’t flawed about calling for ‘new blood’ on the high of the division. It could be enjoyable to see Emmett — a 37-year-old who has by no means fought for a belt — in that chance.
However there’s a large combat between Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez on July 16, which is able to affect Emmett’s future. Arnold Allen continues to be floating across the High 5 and wishes a giant combat. And as nice of a combat as Saturday was, it wasn’t the form of consequence that places Emmett over in a really tight division. I feel he should combat another time, whether or not it is Allen or Chan Sung Jung, who it seems won’t retire after his newest loss to Alexander Volkanovski.
For Kattar, it is a robust one to swallow. These cut up choices can go both means and if you happen to’re on the shedding finish, it will probably imply a world of distinction, particularly for one’s profession trajectory and your paycheck on combat evening. These two scorecards that went in opposition to Kattar on Saturday could have a long-lasting impact.
Clearly, he’s nonetheless proper there relating to large fights within the division. Movsar Evloev would not have a giant title, however he is a surging contender and that will be a fantastic combat for the UFC to place collectively. Identical for Sodiq Yusuff. These are steps down for Kattar, however that is generally the case once you take two losses in three fights and have already fought lots of the different contenders within the High 10. He is perhaps taking a look at dealing with an up-and-comer. — Brett Okamoto
Kevin Holland is perhaps graduating right into a title challenger
By a number of totally different requirements, Holland’s profession has been a big success up to now. He is a fan favourite. He is extremely energetic. He is received some large fights. He is earned his predominant occasion appearances. It is all been good, proper?
However till now, he is by no means really seemed able to probably vying for a title. He was extra of a “enjoyable addition to a card” man than a severe title challenger, as he was susceptible to creating too many errors. He was most likely combating within the flawed weight class when he was 185 kilos and his takedown protection has been poor. Guys like that do not go on to win titles.
This Holland we noticed on Saturday although, was totally different. This Holland seems to be like he is coming into his personal and the enhancements he is made are obvious. He would not have the obtrusive gap he used to in his takedown protection — and he really believes that to be the case. Why? As a result of after his win Saturday, he known as out Sean Brady, some of the bodily wrestlers within the division. I’ve acquired to say, the outdated Holland was enjoyable, however this model is extra thrilling. And the ceiling on this man all of a sudden seems to be lots increased. — Okamoto
Gregory Rodrigues exhibits ‘no feelings’ whereas making his title at middleweight
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Gregory Rodrigues knocks out Julian Marquez because the announcers cannot imagine what they’re seeing in Austin.
‘Robocop’ desires some respect placed on his title, and it is exhausting to disclaim it after he dealt with Julian Marquez for the primary end of his UFC profession.
The 30-year-old Brazilian now has a 3-1 UFC file, along with his solely loss coming through a cut up determination to Armen Petrosyan final February. The previous Legacy Preventing Alliance middleweight champion has advanced from a submission menace early in his profession right into a fighter with actual knockout energy, as he is demonstrated by ending his opponents in six in his final 9 victories. Rodrigues was fueled by a offered out crowd in Austin, one thing he skilled for the primary time in his UFC profession, and was brutal along with his hanging from the start of the combat.
Forward of his combat on Saturday, he was requested about his ideas forward of combating Marquez, who had earned efficiency bonuses in three of his final 4 fights.
“I am programmed to go in there on Saturday, no feelings,” stated Rodriguez throughout media day. “I am not serious about anyone, simply serious about the win and doing my job.”
Rodrigues has executed his job in his first 12 months within the UFC, and if he can proceed to combat with energy and an entertaining model, he’ll be more likely to get a marquee combat within the close to future. — Legaspi
Adrian Yanez is due for a ranked opponent
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Adrian Yanez knocks out Tony Kelley in Austin, a lot to the delight of the UFC devoted.
Adrian Yanez, a 28-year-old from Houston, placed on a present in entrance of an viewers filled with followers from Texas. Yanez is likely one of the greatest boxers within the bantamweight division and flashed his hanging energy along with his first-round knockout over Tony Kelley.
Yanez has a 6-0 file within the UFC when together with his first combat in Dana White’s Contender Sequence the place he earned his contract. 5 of the six fights underneath the promotion have resulted in knockouts, as his capacity to work from a distance and from the within has devastated his opponents.
Kelley was an attention-grabbing problem for him, with a attain benefit and a southpaw stance that compelled Yanez to shut distance. Plus, Kelley got here into the combat having missed weight by 1.5 kilos, main some to wonder if the additional weight could be advantageous. That was not the case, as Kelley was capable of finding some success early however was finally overwhelmed by Yanez’s strain and punching precision.
After shedding his coach Saul Soliz, Yanez has tailored to a brand new camp and has been coaching with Aljamain Sterling most just lately, garnering excessive praises from the present champion. This efficiency ought to put the High 15 within the division on discover. — Legaspi
