Brandon Moreno celebrates after winning the title at UFC 263 (Yahoo News India)
UFC 277: 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
The latest chapter in the Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena rivalry was scripted, when the pair clashed in the main event of UFC 277. UFC 277 took place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on July 30. Julianna Pena who beat Amanda Nunes by submission in one of the greatest upsets in UFC history has openly said that Nunes deserves a rematch and she will be up for the challenge. They faced off in a sequel of their epic battle at UFC 269 that made Pena the new bantamweight sweetheart.
Julianna Pena vs Amanda Nunes delivered beyond everyone’s expectation. Fans expected the drive of vengeance from Nunes, and Pena looked at averring her stake as the bantamweight champion. Pena was accompanied by boxing legend and iconic figure Mike Tyson on her walkout. Nunes looked determined to recapture her throne.
The fight began with Nunes fighting with the southpaw stance that surprised everyone. Pena maintained her usual box orthodox stance. The first round was a rather close round with Nunes having some success with her right hook, and uppercut set-up. On the other hand, Pena tried to close the distance, and get in range to land 2-3 punches, and engage the clinch. In the end it was either fighter’s round, and the judges could have scored it either way.
In the second round, Nunes found her range better, and landed with some good shots. Every time Pena tried to close the range, Nunes countered hard with her leading right hook from the southpaw stance that floored Pena. Pena almost had her eyes roll up in the third knockdown, but maintained her composure masterfully. She pulled guard, and recovered well before the referee stood her up.
In the third round Pena was pushing the pace recognizing that she might be significantly falling behind on the scorecards. It was probably her best round, cracking Nunes occasionally, and trying to gas her out.
In the fourth and fifth round, Nunes utilized her wrestling to take Pena down. She hammered her with drilling ground and pound, while Pena attempted a dozen submissions. She almost had Nunes in a tight armbar, only for the Lioness to escape it. Nunes had a neck crank attempt in the dying minutes of the fifth round, but Pena escaped. The bout was ‘dog fight’ in every sense, and Pena showed the heart of a warrior. Nunes became the double champ again, ad showed the world why she is the ‘Greatest Women’s fighter of all time’.
In the co-main event Brandon Moreno defeated Kai Kara-France to become the interim flyweight champion. The Mexican exercised a never seen before patience in the initial rounds before realizing that he might be falling behind on the scorecards.
Kara-France had immense success with he overhand right, and stinging leg kicks. He achieved success from the mount during one scramble, and sliced open a big cut on Moreno’s face. But the Mexican had a weapon in his arsenal that landed several times in the course of the fight. His stinging left body kick that landed several times, before finding home in the third. The huge body shot shut down Kara’s system who immediately when to the ground in a world of pain. Moreno followed up with a barrage of punches, to end the fight and become the interim flyweight champion.
Women’s Bantamweight Amanda Nunes def. Julianna Peña (c) Decision (unanimous)
Flyweight Brandon Moreno def. Kai Kara-France TKO (body kick and punches)
Heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich def. Derrick Lewis TKO (punches)
Flyweight Alexandre Pantoja def. Alex Perez Submission (neck crank)
Light Heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev def. Anthony Smith TKO (punches)
Welterweight Alex Morono def. Matthew Semelsberger Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 30–27)
Lightweight Drew Dober def. Rafael Alves KO (punch to the body)
Heavyweight Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Don’Tale Mayes Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28)
Lightweight Drakkar Klose def. Rafa García Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
Welterweight Michael Morales def. Adam Fugitt TKO (punches)
Catchweight (137.5 lb) Joselyne Edwards def. Ji Yeon Kim Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 30–27)
Light Heavyweight Nicolae Negumereanu def. Ihor Potieria TKO (punches and knees)
Catchweight (172.5 lb) Orion Cosce def. Mike Mathetha Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
These are the four fighters who claimed the extra $50,000 bonus for their performances
Performance of the Night: Drew Dober
Performance of the Night: Alexandre Pantoja
Fight of the Night: Brandon Moreno vs. Kai Kara-France
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