UFC 222 Was A Coming Out Party For Younger Talent, And More Of The Same From Cyborg
UFC 222 just wrapped up in Vegas, where another one bit the dust to Cris Cyborg hammerfists in the very first round. This time, the victim was Yana Kunitskaya, who put up a decent effort for a hot minute, but the gorilla-like hands of Cyborg eventually came raining down on her and put a quick end to her UFC debut.
Just prior to the main event, we witnessed a shocking moment in MMA history: Frankie Edgar was finished in the octagon. For the first time in his 13 year, 29 fight career, “The Answer” was knocked out…and it was in the first round…by a grappler. That’s right, Brian “T-City” Ortega got it done EASILY by using his length to his advantage, sitting behind a well-timed jab, and throwing a fantastic combination which ended in a picture perfect uppercut that took Frankie off his feet. Literally.
Fucking unreal. The prop for Ortega to win via KO was +1250, but now that he did we’re all geared up for Max Hollway vs T-City himself, and Dallas Braden and I couldn’t be any more pumped.
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That’s gonna be a banger, folks, and it looks like we may see it at UFC 226 which is the Miocic/Cormier card.
Before that, “Sugar” Sean O’Malley ARRIVED with an amazing performance in his fight against one of the biggest idiots I’ve ever seen in a cage, and I say that because O’Malley clearly broke his foot BADLY in the third round but Andre Soukhamthath didn’t do a damn thing to capitalize on it. The fight IQ of a Rough N Rowdy competitor was on display. Seriously. Crazy dumb. O’Malley was on fire before that, though, and I think part of the reason he’s so fun to watch is because of how similar his style is to a certain Notorious one’s…
For a few minutes after the fight, he writhed in pain and screamed in agony on the canvas of the octagon due to that broken foot, but seemed to be in better spirits by the time Joe Rogan got to him.
WELCOME TO THE SUGAR SHOW BAYBAAAAAYYYYYYYYY! What a fucking guy. Get on the hype train for this young man right the fuck now, because there’s nothing not to like about him and he’s got the skills to back up his charisma. Get well soon, Sugar.
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Finally, Cat Zingano faced the wrath of Ketlen Vieira in the main card’s opening bout, and I’ll admit, I didn’t give Vieira enough credit before this fight. It was one of the two wrong calls I had tonight (4-2 though, not too shabby), and actually, I probably overestimated Zingano more than I underestimated her opponent. There seemed to be a clear slowing-down in the former Bantamweight Title contender’s game, and finally, ring rust hit her. I thought it didn’t apply for her. Nobody’s safe in this sport, though, and that’s what we learned here tonight.
UFC 222 exceeded my fairly low expectations, but most importantly, it reminded me with unpredictability why I love this sport so much. Anything can happen in the UFC.
Goodnight everybody.
P.S. If you’re wondering why I didn’t watch the incredibly slow out-of-their-prime heavyweight battle between Andrei Arlovski and Stefan Struve, it’s because I stuck needles into my eyeballs instead. Seemed less painful. Really though, I watched Wilder/Ortiz during that time and it doesn’t seem like I missed a thing.