Wow, after seeing so many fighters fall into the same trap, you’d think this would be a thing of the past. Still very fun to watch, though…
Although UFC Sydney set the record for the longest 13-bout card in the promotion’s history, the show’s three finishes were very satisfying. Running a total of 3 hours, 4 minutes and 18 seconds, UFC Fight Night 121 saw 10 fights go to a decision.
Fans in the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia on Saturday night, Nov. 18 had come to watch their hometown favorites grace the octagon. For heavyweight ex-rugby player Tai Tivasa, this was a night to remember.
Winning by flying knee KO, Tuivasa put away Rashad Coulter in dominant fashion. In doing so, ‘Bam Bam’ becomes only the second heavyweight in UFC history to win by flying knee. The other heavyweight, former champion Fabricio Werdum, was fighting in the main event.
‘Vai Cavalo’ defeated Marcin Tybura by decision. Here’s Tuivasa’s KO:
BAM BAM! Tai Tuivasa finishes Rashad Coulter with a huge flying knee! #UFCSydney https://t.co/DF5DDJUJOY
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) November 19, 2017
But wait, there’s more…
Elsewhere on the card, Ryan Benoit fought Ashkan Mokhtarian at the top of the FOX Sports preliminary card. Benoit, an American fighting out of Dallas, Texas, was facing an Australian native in ‘The Assassin.’
Ashkan Mokhtarian is also a member of Australian Top Team, but his home nation roots did not help him in the octagon. Furthermore, Mohtarian tried some Nick Diaz-style antics after an early exchange and ended up getting KTFO in spectacular fashion:
KICK GAME PROPER! Ryan Benoit lands a vicious knee for the victory vs. Ashkan Mokhtarian! #UFCSydney https://t.co/VNxjXCr1AF
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) November 19, 2017
Ed note: That’s a head kick, you guys…
Although he missed weight, Frank ‘The Crank’ Camacho earned a decision win over Damien Brown in an absolute burner, which FOX Sports again incorrectly reported. Camacho won by split decision.
Come on, FOX…
WHAT A BRAWL! @CrankEffect wins by unanimous decision vs. Damien Brown! #UFCSydney https://t.co/oEaJZmEyAG
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) November 19, 2017
Although the heavyweight main event between Fabricio Werdum and Marcin Tybura was a little thrown together, ‘Vai Cavalo’ made sure the Aussies knew he was there.
During a controversial video, Werdum attacked Colby Covington with a boomerang after allegedly punching him in the face. Werdum ended up winning his scrap with Tybura by dominant decision.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT 121 RESULTS:
MAIN CARD (FS1, 10 p.m. ET)
Fabricio Werdum vs. Marcin Tybura by unanimous decision
Jessica-Rose Clark defeated Bec Rawlings via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Belal Muhammad defeated Tim Means via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jake Matthews defeated Bojan Velickovic via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Elias Theodorou defeated Daniel Kelly via unanimous decision (30-28, 30-27, 30-26)
Alex Volkanovski defeated Shane Young via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FS1, 8 p.m. ET)
Ryan Benoit defeated Ashkan Mokhtarian via knockout (head kick) – Round 3, 2:38
Nik Lentz defeated Will Brooks via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 2:05
Tai Tuivasa defeated Rashad Coulter via KO – Round 1, 4:35
Frank Camacho defeated Damien Brown via split decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 6:30 p.m. ET)
Nadia Kassem defeated Alex Chambers via unanimous decision (29-28, 28-27, 28-27)
Eric Shelton defeated Jenel Lausa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
Adam Wieczorek def. Anthony Hamilton via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
