UFC Columbus: Blaydes vs Daukaus – Take a look at the results and also the ones who received the bonus
Curtis Blaydes and Chris Daukaus clashed in the main event of UFC Columbus in the heavyweight division of the UFC.
The card absolutely delivered, with some fantastic performances, capped off by an extremely entertaining and high-level mixed martial arts contest in the main event.
In the main event Curtis Blaydes reminded the world why he is still a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. The performance was a sound response to anyone who considered Blaydes as just a wrestler. He proved with this display that he’s constantly evolving and is in a position where he can do the whole nine yards.
The match-up was tipped to be a quintessential wrestler vs striker clash. Both fighters engaged with some initial advances and landed good solid punches, although no significant damage was made. Having tested each other’s power, the heavyweights then resorted to staying outside the range perimeter and circling in only to counter or land leg kicks.
Even during moments when Blaydes seemed to have hurt Daukaus, he stayed patient and didn’t rush for a takedown. There were plenty of opportunities to shoot, but Blaydes was content with doing damage on the feet, which seemed to be piling up slowly. Both fighters took to the stool at the end of round 1, having tested each other’s will.
The second round picked up pace as both fighters showed an urgency to their approach. Blaydes got the better of exchange as he landed a crisp right hook that put down Daukaus. Blaydes tackled Daukaus down to the ground, and unloaded with a brutal barrage of punches. It was evident that Daukaus was out of it when he visibly had no reply to his opponent’s wild attack. The fight was stopped in round 2 with Blaydes scoring a TKO victory.
This was his eleventh win by KO or TKO. For anyone who thought of him as just a wrestler, the fight proved that he is a well-rounded mixed martial artist. Blaydes called out Stipe Miocic at the post-fight octagon interview, who was present in the audience at Columbus.
In the co-main event, Alexa Grasso defeated Joanne Wood via submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round. After some wild exchange at the beginning which involved both fighters going to the ground and standing back up. Although Wood tried to counter every attack from Grasso, the latter hit her with elbows, low leg kicks and eventually capitalized on a position to drag Wood to the mat. She took her back with ease and finished her off eventually.
Bryan Barbarena and Matt Brown delivered the most exciting fight of the card. Both fighters woke up and chose violence as they went at each other from pillar to post. 41-year-old Matt Brown lived up to his nickname of ‘The Immortal’ as he didn’t skip a beat, even at this age. Eventually, Brian Barbarena won the fight by split decision although many scored the fight the other way around.
City Kickboxing Academy’s Kai Kara France cemented his claim to the next title shot with a solid performance against the dangerous Askar Askarov. Israel Adesanya and his team were vocal during after the Cody Garbrandt win that they will rally hard if Kai does not get a shot next. But as reports of the fourth clash between Moreno and Deiveison are being confirmed, Kai will wait out for his opportunity as he looks to be the front runner for the next shot.
In another impressive showing, Neil Magny defeated Max Griffin via split decision. He took the centre stage to call out Khamzat Chimaev, who he has wanted to fight for some time now.
UFC Columbus main card results and winners
Main Event – Heavyweight Bout: Curtis Blaydes def. Chris Daukaus via TKO
Co-Main Event – Women’s Flyweight Bout: Alexa Grasso def. Joanne Wood via submission
Welterweight Bout: Bryan Barberena def. Matt Brown via split decision
Flyweight Bout: Kai Kara-France def. Askar Askarov via unanimous decision
Welterweight Bout: Neil Magny def. Max Griffin via split decision
Lightweight Bout: Marc Diakiese def. Viacheslav Borshchev via unanimous decision
UFC Columbus preliminary card results and winners
Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Sara McMann def. Karol Rosa via unanimous decision
Bantamweight Bout: Chris Gutiérrez def. Batgerel Danaa via TKO
Middleweight Bout: Aliaskhab Khizriev def. Denis Tiuliulin via submission
Women’s Flyweight Bout: Manon Fiorot def. Jennifer Maia via unanimous decision
Flyweight Bout: Matheus Nicolau def. David Dvořák via unanimous decision
Featherweight Bout: Luis Saldaña def. Bruno Souza via unanimous decision
UFC Columbus Bonus winners
These are the fighters who cashed in the extra $50,000 bonus for their brilliant performances.
Fight of the Night – Matt Brown and Bryan Barberena
Performance of the Night – Chris Gutierrez and Curtis Blaydes
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