UFC 256 Main Event delivered one of the best fights of the year, the only fight that could top it might be the fight with Zhang Weili vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Right off the opening bell, Figueiredo pushed the action that many would have thought would end the card early.
In what many thought that Figueiredo will dominate the division easily, Moreno proved the doubters wrong once again.
Moreno was just backing up, that the Cormier said that it might get him tired since retreating wastes much more energy than advancing. The fight, in the beginning, showed that Figueiredo not respecting the power of Moreno, he just advanced with his hands down and throwing bombs. Moreno showed heart and will by not backing down from being clipped in the body and the head.
Figueiredo has a good start in the early rounds but got taken down by Moreno a bunch of times. Figueiredo landed bombs that most opponents would usually fall down. As the fight progressed, Figueiredo showed to be a bit gassing and Moreno getting better. Moreno landed many combos but just lacked the power to knock down Figueiredo.
Most of the rounds were close especially in the middle rounds that it was hard for the judges to score. There were even an eye poke and a low blow that deducted one point for Figueiredo.
Luckily even though the fight was difficult to score, most fans and media personnel agree with the judges’ decision leading to a majority DRAW. Dana White told Moreno after the fight that it was the greatest fight in the UFC’s flyweight division. It is highly likely that there will be a rematch in the near future.
Both fighters also showed a sign of relief after the fight. Moreno will not be going home with the belt but fans are keeping their eyes on the rematch. Figueiredo retains his belt.
The co-main event showed a one-sided dominance by Charles Oliveira. In the opening bell, both had success in the striking department but when Oliveira chose to change levels, the landscape of the fight changed.
Most fans would have thought that Ferguson works best when he is ground off his back but that was not the case when he fought Oliveira. With the arsenal of Ferguson’s wrestling, he was taken down by Oliveira easily.
Oliveira showed tremendous control all throughout the fight. In the last seconds of the fight, Oliveira successfully executed an armbar that most people would tap. It showed that Tony’s arm fully twisted and cranked that it was hard to watch. It is hard not to say that Ferguson has one of the most savage mentality of any fighter. The fight ended in a unanimous decision with Oliveira winning all rounds.
Oliveira is looking to fight for the title in the near future. He is just entering his prime and is still improving his MMA game. He also looks to have the most complete weapons of a mixed martial artist. Ferguson meanwhile may consider retiring. He is getting old for the division while there are still many young hungry lions.
Mackenzie Dern vs Virna Jandiroba also showed a good scrap overall. Both BJJ specialists chose to stand up and strike with each other. Dern showed a huge improvement in his striking, we all know her BJJ skills are top-notch. Her striking is the only thing that she lacked but now she proved to have been a decent striker. The fight ended in a unanimous decision to Dern.
Kevin Holland might have the best performance overall for the year 2020. With going 5-0 this year especially finishing most of the fighters. This time against Ronaldo Souza while grounded.
Souza is one of the most accomplished BJJ fighters in the UFC roster and to finish him in the ground is a nice accomplishment. The way he finished it is super unorthodox as well, he finished him punching out of his back. It showed a similar style with Niko Price’s win but instead of hammer fist, he punched Souza with a right straight.
Kevin Holland said that he wants to fight for next week’s main event. With Leon Edwards pulling out of his fight, Holland called out Khamzat Chimaev. Although the scheduled bout was welterweight, Holland wants Chimaev at middleweight. It is on Chimaev’s decision whether to agree to the bout.
The main card opener with Ciryl Gane vs Junior Dos Santos was also a nice showcase of the rising star. Gane is surely climbing up the rankings with his performance against Dos Santos. Gane mixed his grappling and striking well and successfully knocked Dos Santos out of a clinch.
After the fight, Dos Santos testified saying that the strike that hit him was illegal and it was the back of the head. The commentators disagreed saying it was near the ear and if it did land on the back it was due to Dos Santos turning his head in the last minute.
The preliminary card also had some bangers. Cub Swanson showed that he still belonged in the UFC roster by finishing Daniel Pineda with accurate strikes. Swanson was having issues with the leg kicks of Pineda but rallied through it and landed his bombs prompting the referee to stop the fight.
Another entertaining prospect is Rafael Fiziev who showed that his striking levels above everyone else. His opponent Renato Moicano was also known for his striking chose to bang each other out.
Rafael Fiziev was just a lot faster and more experienced in terms of striking. Moicano, however, showed success in his striking but eventually, Fiziev landed a nice combo that ended the fight. It is arguable whether it was an early stoppage since the referee stopped the fight immediately, and Moicano also did not agree with the stoppage.
Overall as the last UFC PPV card for the year, it was a great showing overall. It was worth it to watch all throughout since most of the fight delivered. The next fight night is looking to be completely stacked as well. The UFC really had an amazing year for 2020. Had Edwards vs Chimaev pushed through, the card would have been more stacked but hopefully, the fight happens early next year.
