UFC Prague in tweets
UFC’s first ever trip to the Czech Republic saw a potential Light Heavyweight title eliminator between KO artist Thiago Santos and the streaking Jan Błachowicz. The first 2 rounds were competitive, with Santos showing alot more patience than in previous fights and Błachowicz showing his well rounded game. However, at the start of Round 3, Thiago caught the on rushing Jan with a left hook and then finished the job to put himself firmly in title contention.
In the co-main event, Stefan Struve returned after 3 losses in a row against former light heavyweight Marcos Rogério de Lima. Despite getting knocked down early in the first, Struve managed to take the fight to the ground and submit De Lima via an arm-triangle choke. After the fight, The ‘Skyscraper’ indicated that it may well be his last fight and placed his gloves on the floor of the Octagon.
Next up was another 205lbs matchup between Long Island’s Gian Villante and Poland’s Michał Oleksiejczuk. Michal was returning after a 14 month lay off due to a failed drugs test back in December 2017. All it took was a body shot for Oleksiejczuk who grounded Villante and referee Marc Goddard stepped and ended the fight.
Czech Republic’s own Lucie Pudilova was up against Liz Carmouche at Women’s Flyweight. Carmouche was involved in the first Women’s MMA fight in the UFC back in 2013 against then champion Ronda Rousey. With the entire O2 Arena behind their native fighter, Liz Carmouche silenced the crowed with a unanimous decision win.
2018 was definitely Petr Yan’s year with the Russian making his mark in the UFC’s Bantamweight division. He faced his toughest test yet facing UFC veteran John Dodson. Yan showed his varied skill set through out the fight and despite Dodson knocking him down with left counter, he went on to dominate the fight and get himself a unanimous decision victory.
Finally, Magomed Ankalaev squared off against promotional newcomer Klidson Abreu at light heavyweight. Ankalaev struggled early on but then took over fight keeping his distance and comfortably saw out the fight and won on the judges scorecards.
See fellow pro’s reactions below.
Jan Błachowicz vs Thiago Santos
I went the distance with that savage. #UFCPrague pic.twitter.com/7NIzSlkvGC
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) February 23, 2019
The ref gave Blachowicz every chance to recover but he was not having it. Covered up and showed that he was done fighting. What a shot from Santos that had to be! #UFCPrague
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) February 23, 2019
Stefan Struve vs Marcos Rogério de Lima
Awesome fight big man @StefanStruve!! Way to go champ!! Time to live the good life 💪🏼👊🏼👊🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 #ufc #UFCPrague
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) February 23, 2019
Michał Oleksiejczuk vs Gian Villante
And just like that Ole hits the perfect liver shot and Gian is done. Wow. #UFCPrague pic.twitter.com/UacmOPWrO9
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) February 23, 2019
Liz Carmouche vs Lucie Pudilova
Can’t believe they robbed that girl against Carmouche smh #UFCPrague
— Curtis Blaydes (@RazorBlaydes265) February 23, 2019
Petr Yan vs John Dodson
No mercy is a good nickname for that man. He is a killer! #UFCPrague
— Tatiana Suarez (@TSPMMA115) February 23, 2019
Magomed Ankalaev vs Klidson Abreu
Good scap so far! That nose though😲 https://t.co/m37O7JqHeU
— Devin Clark (@brownbearC) February 23, 2019
Official Main Card Results.
Thiago Santos def Jan Błachowicz via TKO (punches) Round 3- 0:39
Stefan Struve def Marcos Rogério de Lima via Submission (arm-triangle choke) Round 2- 2:21
Michał Oleksiejczuk def Gian Villante via TKO (body punch) Round 1- 1:34
Liz Carmouche def Lucie Pudilova via Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Petr Yan def John Dodson via Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Magomed Ankalaev def Klidson Abreu via Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Follow me on twitter: @ReeceManUFC
Follow the team on twitter: @MMALatestNws
