UFC 234 in tweets
UFC 234 was set to be the Middleweight showdown we all wanted to see with the championship on the line and the number one contender spot also up for grabs. However, we lost the main event just hours before the first fight of the night. Despite the bad news, Australia turned out in force and sold out the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
The new main event of the afternoon was Israel Adesanya vs Anderson Silva and they didn’t fail to deliver a spectacle. With such a high level striking on display, it was a very calculated chess match at times but when things started to heat up, it did not disappoint. The Last Style Bender improved his record to 16-0 (5-0 UFC) by beating Silva via a Unanimous decision.
In the co-main event, Lando Vannata faced of against promotional newcomer Marcos Rosa Mariano. Vannata managed to submit the Brazilian just 5 seconds before the end of the first round via a Kimura. That was Lando’s first win in just over 2 years.
Next up was a Bantamweight bout between Ricky Simon and Rani Yahya. Simon dominated the fight, grounding Yahya multiple times on his way to a decision win. TUF 26 fighter Montana De La Rosa was up next against Australia’s own Nadia Kassem at Women’s Flyweight. De La Rosa’s constant pressure was too much for Kassem as the American eventually submitted her in the second round via Verbal Submission due to an Armbar. Montana is now 3-0 in the UFC with all wins coming the way of submission.
Kicking off the main card on ESPN+ was UFC newcomer Jimmy Crute against ‘Smiling Sam Alvey at 205lbs. Crute was coming off a submission victory of Paul Craig back in December 2018 whereas Alvey was coming off KO loss at the hands of UFC Legend Antônio Rogério Nogueira in September 2018. Halfway through the first round, Crute dropped Alvey and the referee Marc Goddard deemed that he wasn’t intelligently defending himself and stopped the fight. Sam Alvey was furious but the decision stood and Crute went to 2-0 in the UFC in front of his home fans.
Check out some of their fellow pro’s reactions below on a great night down under.
Israel Adesanya v Anderson Silva
I keep catching myself holding my breath during this fight. Anderson still has that effect on me after all these years. #ufc234
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) February 10, 2019
I wish this fight was 5 rounds!!
Great win for Israel. Title shot next??? #UFC234 https://t.co/0xi9daZ0oO
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) February 10, 2019
Lando Vannata v Marcos Rosa Mariano
Lando needed that badly. Hard not to be happy for the guy. Been very open about his battle with depression. He calls out Jim Miller after the win. #UFC234
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) February 10, 2019
Ricky Simon v Rani Yahya
Firstly, Ricky Simon has the most luscious mullet I've ever seen 👏🏻👏🏻
Secondly, that fight was everything i wanted and more!! 2 guys who are predominantly wrestlers/grapplers just standing and throwing leather 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 hells yeah!! #UFC234
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) February 10, 2019
Montana De La Rosa v Nadia Kassem
So that was pretty much a freakin' clinic by Montana de la Rosa
— Dave Doyle (@davedoylemma) February 10, 2019
Jimmy Crute v Sam Alvey
Jimmy Crute stops Sam Alvey in the first round via TKO. He is powerful. Alvey disagreed with the stoppage and the replay showed he was actually giving the thumbs up right before the stoppage.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 10, 2019
Official Main Card Results.
Israel Adesanya def Anderson Silva via Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Lando Vannata def Marcos Rosa Mariano via Submission (kimura) Round 1- 4:55
Ricky Simon def Rani Yahya via Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
Montana De La Rosa def Nadia Kassem via Submission (armbar) Round 2- 2:37
Jimmy Crute def Sam Alvey via TKO (punches) Round 1- 2:49
Follow me on twitter: @ReeceManUFC
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