UFC 276 bonus
UFC 276: Here’s a look at the UFC 276 results, which had a few star-studded fights on the card as well as who all received the bonus
One of the most anticipated PPV events of the 2022 calendars concluded today with some spectacular fights. The main event featured a middleweight clash between current champion Israel Adesanya and Jared Cannonier. The stacked card had two title fights, and featured some edge-of-the-seat fights between some of the most exciting talents in the sport and some of the most established names in the game.
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya made his fifth successful title defense today at UFC 276. He outclassed and outpointed Jared Cannonier in a slightly underwhelming contest. Although the fight did not live up to everyone’s expectation, it was Izzy’s groundbreaking entrance that was the talk of the town.
Ahead of UFC 276, Izzy had said that he’s channelling his dark side, particularly for this fight. Although he kept the curtains draped on his entrance, he surprised everyone when he made one of the best octagon walkouts ever. Fans salivated and expressed their appreciation for Adesanya’s star power and showmanship.
The UFC commentary booth went off for a few moments as they gasped in the historic entrance they were witnessing live. Adesanya scored a unanimous decision victory against Jared Cannonier. The fight was predominantly a striking contest in the champion’s desired range. He stagnated Cannonier’s movements with stiff jabs. To Jared’s credit, he fought a smart fight too. Whenever Adesanya tried to launch phase 2 of his attacks after set-ups in phase 1, Cannonier would move out of trouble. In the end, Izzy’s leg kicks, body kicks, jabs, and overall accuracy was enough for him to win on the judge’s scorecards.
In the co-main event, Alexander Volkanovski absolutely bulldozered, dismantled and razed Holloways’ challenge to the ground. The champion looked like a much improved, and refined fighter from the get-go. His accuracy, power, defense, and precision stifled the Hawaiian. A bruised, battered, and bloodied Holloway showed the heart and grit of a warrior, and lasted 25 minutes yet again.
In the second round, Volkanovski dug open a big cut right above the left eye of Holloway with an overhand straight. The cut impaired Max’s vision, but he struggled to get his flow and rhythm owing to the massive deep cut. The remaining three rounds played out in similar fashion as the Aussie kept handing out big punishments to Max, damaging the right side of his face as well.
In the end he scored a unanimous 50-45 victory. He immediately grabbed the mic to issue a challenge to the lightweight division and Charles Oliveira.
Alex Pereira reminded the world that he remains the biggest threat to the reign of Israel Adesanya. Following the signing of Brazilian kickboxer Alex Pereira to the UFC, the narrative for a fight between him and middleweight champion Israel Adesanya seemed to be writing itself. The former number. 1 ranked kickboxer in the middleweight and light heavyweight division, Pereira’s style is the kryptonite to Adesanya’s unprecedented reign.
“Poatan” defeated Adesanya twice in kickboxing, winning a 2016 decision in China, and landed a left hook for a vicious, memorable knockout in their rematch, the following year in Brazil. Currently, with just one fight old in the UFC, Adesanya has dismissed talks of the fight in the near future, labelling it as ‘ a bit premature’. Adesanya even said in the past that his loss came because he got too comfortable in the boxing range, and he is a much more transformed fighter.
Alex faced his biggest test so far in MMA against Sean Strickland, and passed with flying colors. While Strickland decided to keep the fight in boxing range worried by Poatan’s kicks, the Brazilian landed a vicious left hook faking a level change. With this victory he is well in the conversation to fight Adesanya for the title.
Israel Adesanya def. Jared Cannonier via UD
Alexander Volkanovski def. Max Holloway via UD
Alex Pereira def. Sean Strickland via first-round KO (2:36)
Bryan Barberena def. Robbie Lawler via second-round TKO (4:47)
Pedro Munhoz vs. Sean O’Malley ruled no-contest (accidental foul)
Jalin Turner def. Brad Riddell via submission (guillotine) (0:45)
Jim Miller def. Donald Cerrone via sub (guillotine) (R2, 1:32)
Ian Garry def. Gabe Green via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Dricus Du Plessis def. Brad Tavares via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Andre Muniz def. Uriah Hall via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Maycee Barber def. Jessica Eye via UD (29-28 x2, 30-27) | Eye retires
Julija Stoliarenko def. Jessica-Rose Clark via sub (armbar) (R1, 0:42)
Five Fighters took home an extra $50,000.
Fight of the Night: Robbie Lawler vs Bryan Barberena
Performance of the Night: Alex Pereira, Julija Stoliarenko, and Jalin Tuner
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