UFC 247 in tweets
UFC 247 is in the books and Texas were treated to a fantastic night of fights from top to bottom. Kicking off the main card was a heavyweight bout between Texas native Derrick Lewis and division debutant Ilir Latifi. In the first, it was clear to see the size and reach difference between the pair and Lewis was looking to land a flying knee on multiple occasions but Latifi took the pressure from Derrick through the first period. Halfway through the second round, Latifi secured a takedown but failed to capitalize and both men were stood back up. As we approached the final five minutes, Lewis once again attempted the flying knee but Latifi clinched and took him to the ground. Lewis finished the fight on top landing many heavy blows. The home favourite got the nod via the scorecards to get back to back wins as he aims to work his way back into title contention.
Next up was a pair of featherweights as Mirsad Bektic faced Dan Ige. From the first horn, it was Ige who was the sharper on the feet, landing frequently without much coming back from the side of Bektic. The Bosnian came out a lot quicker in the second and took Ige down and controlled him for nearly 2 minutes as he sunk in a deep arm-triangle choke but Ige managed to burst out as the second round ended. Likely a round apiece going to into the third and final round, Ige outlanded Bektic 15-4 which earned him a split decision win on the scorecards to extend his winning run to 5.
Heavyweights were on deck as Juan Adams was squaring off against Justin Tafa. There was optimism in the camp of Adams after his recent move to Jackson Wink but when Tafa landed an overhand right followed by an uppercut which folded Adams in half, it was goodnight, as Tafa got his first UFC win.
The co-main event and first of two title fights were upon us as 125lb queen Valentina Shevchenko faced number one contender Katlyn Chookagian. The champion started the quicker and was fast as she usually is. Towards the end of the round, Valentina took Katlyn down and landed a sharp elbow which instantly cut Chookagian just above the left eyebrow and it was bleeding profusely. The second round was much of the same and ‘The Bullet’ landed a flush kick to the face and Katlyn was somehow standing as we entered the third. As Shevchenko secured a takedown at the start of the round, The American found herself in a crucifix position and started to unload on Katlyn and the referee was forced to step in and stop the fight. The main question is, who’s next in the 125lb division?
The consensus GOAT Jon Jones was aiming to defend his light heavyweight title against unbeaten star Dominick Reyes in the main event. The challenger started very well and was landing with good success and took the first round much to the surprise of the crowd. The second period was much of the same with Reyes being the aggressor and Jones struggling to get going but he remained in the fight as he always does.
Jon was boxing much better at the start of the third round and was pressing Reyes against the cage with Jones starting to take control against the tiring Reyes. Reyes had never gone past the third round so everyone was wondering just where he would become 15 minutes. Dominick landed a clean kick to the head and an uppercut which stopped Jones’ forward pressure. However, Jones controlled the grappling exchanges with ease and as he had for the rest of the fight controlled the distance superbly well and had the better of the round as we approached the final round.
As the horn rang for the final round, Reyes was very tired and was breathing with his mouth open and Jones used his championship experience to see out the fight as the stronger man. The champion was landing at will towards the end and had dominated the 4th and 5th rounds and it certainly left an impression on the judges. Both men thought they had done enough to claim the throne while the MMA world was relatively split but the majority of people leaning towards Dominick Reyes. As the scores were read out, you could feel the tension in the arena and etched on the faces of Jones and Reyes.
“And Still” were the words from the mouth of Bruce Buffer as Jon Jones defended his title for the third time but this was by far his toughest defence to date.
Check out the reaction to UFC 247 below
Jon Jones vs Dominick Reyes
Not robbery. Close fight, could have gone either way. 3-1 or 2-2 going into 5th. I thought 3-2 Reyes but the fight was so close it could have gone either way.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 9, 2020
I had Reyes in the first three rounds. Credit to Jones on coming on strong 4th and 5th but I would of guessed Reyes won that fight on scorecards.
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) February 9, 2020
Valentina Shevchenko vs Katlyn Chookagian
Masterful performance by Valentina! #UFC247 I honestly felt confident about Katlyn going into this fight, but Valentina proved to us again that she is a savage!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 9, 2020
She speaks a bunch of languages, dances, shoot guns, and kicks ass…. @BulletValentina is Black widow 🕷
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) February 9, 2020
Justin Tafa vs Juan Adams
Oh man holy hook upper cut #UFC247
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) February 9, 2020
Dan Ige vs Mirsad Bektic
Congrats @Dynamitedan808 gets better every fight rank that man
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 9, 2020
Derrick Lewis vs Ilir Latifi
Latifi got a chin! 👊🏾💪🏾 #UFC247
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) February 9, 2020
Full main card results below
Jon Jones def Dominick Reyes via Decision (unanimous) (48–47, 48–47, 49–46)
Valentina Shevchenko def Katlyn Chookagian via TKO (elbows and punches) Round 3- 1:03
Justin Tafa def Juan Adams via TKO (punches) Round 1- 1:59
Dan Ige def Mirsad Bektic via Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28)
Derrick Lewis def Ilir Latifi via Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
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