Costa tops Romero in epic lower back-and-forth brawl at UFC 241
Derek Brunson defeated Ian Heinisch through unanimous deciCosta tops Romero in epic back-and-forth brawl at UFC 241
Paulo Costa
edged Yoel Romero at the scorecards after an epic fight at UFC 241. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC thru Getty photographs
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- It was a fight that was booked remaining November, deliberate again in advance this year and, for numerous reasons, failed to take place. Till now. And the completed product became even better than anticipated. Paulo Costa beat Yoel Romero by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in a key middleweight combat at UFC 241 on Saturday. However the ratings were infrequently the tale. The enthusiasts at Honda center, who were pro-Romero all night, booed Costa in a while. That become unfortunate, due to the type of warfare each guys put forth.
From the opening bell, Romero and Costa threw haymakers. Each had been dropped in the first spherical, and Costa become later bloodied. The third round turned into perhaps one of the first-rate of all time. The combat itself turned into a surefire combat of the year contender.
Costa had his hand raised on the quit and said he would be looking ahead to the UFC middleweight title. Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya will unify the belt at UFC 243 on Oct. 6 in Melbourne, Australia.
"After this combat, I want my chance to show i'm the champion," Costa stated.
Perhaps he will. It became a heck of an effort to continue to exist Romero. Costa rocked Romero within the first, handiest for Romero to come back right again with a left hand and drop him. The frame paintings Costa installed for the duration of, beginning early on and a ton within the 2nd round, sincerely helped him because the bout wore on.
There was one wild collection inside the first spherical. Romero landed a aggregate in opposition to the cage on Costa and sponsored up. Costa shrugged his shoulders and pantomimed Romero to return again. Romero desired it in the center of the cage, so Costa got here out and landed a proper hand to the face.
Throughout, on every occasion Costa would land or Romero would slip a shot, Romero might stick his tongue out. In the 0.33, a bloody Costa did the identical aspect proper again to him. At one point within the 0.33, they both placed their fingers in the back of their backs and challenged the other. Then they started out throwing massive bombs.
Costa (thirteen-0) has won all five of his UFC fights and till now he had knocked all his previous fighters out. The 28-year-vintage had by no means gone to the judges earlier than. Romero (thirteen-four) has misplaced three of four, but the ones losses have been to Costa and Whittaker. At forty two years vintage, the previous Olympic wrestling silver medalist stays one of the most risky guys within the middleweight division.
Sodiq Yusuff defeated Gabriel Benitez via first-round TKO
The story here turned into very clear. Benitez felt out Yusuff early, searching for the variety to land his beautiful immediately left hand. And he did, rocking Yusuff with several of these punches. Yusuff, although, made an adjustment of his own. While Benitez went for the instantly left later in the first round, Yusuff countered with a right hook -- and the combat was over soon after.
Yusuff dropped Benitez with that proper hand, then followed up at the floor with tough shots for a TKO victory at 4:14 of the first.
"i'm Nigerian, baby," Yusuff said. "we're constructed for conflict. That is what we do."
Yusuff (10-1) has won 5 straight bouts, together with 3 of those within the UFC. The 26-12 months-antique, who now lives in Maryland, is one of four Nigeria-born fighters presently in the UFC, along with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and UFC interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. The ones four opponents, which additionally consists of Kennedy Nzechukwu, are a mixed 19-1 in the UFC. Benitez (21-7), a 31-year-antique Mexico native, had his two-combat triumphing streak snapped.
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Sodiq Yusuff defeated UFC 241 Gabriel Benítez for his 5th win in a row. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC through Getty photos
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Derek Brunson defeated Ian Heinisch by using unanimous choice
thinking about the opening seconds, it was a fight that couldn't have gone higher for Brunson. After Heinisch cracked him with a head kick to start the bout, Brunson changed into capable of weather the storm and take over from there in a unanimous selection (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) victory. Brunson forced Heinisch, landed some tough left fingers and takedowns the rest of the way.
There was a bizarre occurrence in between the second and 0.33 rounds. Polarizing UFC welterweight Colby Covington arrived to his seat at Honda center to loud boos. Covington, who turned into carrying a "Make america great again" hat, acquired chants of "Colby sucks!" and "F--- you, Colby!" thereafter. The gang regarded distracted by using Covington's presence and no longer inquisitive about the actual fight in the Octagon.
Brunson (20-7) has now received two in a row. The 35-12 months-old North Carolina native, now schooling out of tough Knocks 365, came in as a +a hundred thirty underdog. Heinisch (thirteen-2), a 31-yr-antique Colorado native, had a five-combat prevailing streak snapped. This turned into his first career UFC loss.
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Derek Brunson defeated Ian Heinisch by unanimous choice at UFC 241 for his second straight victory. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty pix
Khama worthy defeated Devonte Smith by using first-spherical TKO
It changed into a overall performance worth of a bright UFC future. Worthy dropped Smith with a large counter left hook-proper hand combination and finished at the ground for a TKO victory at 4:15 of the primary spherical. The maximum extremely good issue about it? Worth took the fight on quick be aware -- just 4 days in the past -- whilst Smith's previous opponent Clay Collard withdrew.
The victory became the most important disillusioned of the year in the UFC. Worth got here in as a +650 underdog. It become worthy's first first-round finish in his past 12 bouts.
Worthy and Smith have recognised every other for years and have educated with every other. Worth said the more youthful Smith will come again and feature a robust UFC run, however "i have were given a circle of relatives -- i have gotta get paid."
worthy (15-6) has won six instantly bouts. This turned into the UFC debut for the 32-year-antique Pennsylvania native. Smith (10-2), a 26-year-vintage Ohio local, had his six-fight triumphing streak snapped.
Cory Sandhagen defeated Raphael Assuncao by using unanimous choice
add the name Sandhagen to the listing of warring parties angling for Henry Cejudo.
In a complete performance, Sandhagen beat Assuncao via unanimous selection (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). Assuncao, a stalwart at bantamweight, has hardly ever been crushed in a combat the way he become against Sandhagen, who mixed matters up nicely at the feet, chewed up both of Assuncao's legs with kicks and defended maximum of Assuncao's takedown attempts.
Within the first round alone, Sandhagen landed 25 full-size strikes, the maximum Assuncao has absorbed in a unmarried spherical in his UFC profession, in keeping with ESPN Stats & information.
"i know how desirable i am," Sandhagen stated. "and i comprehend it's going to take a bit whilst for human beings to find out how proper i'm."
Coming in, Sandhagen changed into ranked No. 10 in ESPN's bantamweight ratings. Assuncao was No. Five. So, this was a widespread victory for Sandhagen's future name contender hopes.
Sandhagen (12-1) has won seven bouts in a row, inclusive of the primary five of his UFC profession. The 27-12 months-antique Colorado resident has now not lost since 2017. Assuncao (27-7) has now lost two straight. The 37-year-old Brazilian, who lives and trains in Georgia, fell to Marlon Moraes through first-spherical submission at UFC Fortaleza in February.
Drakkar Klose defeated Christos Giagos by means of unanimous choice
Klose pulled out a close one.
He turned into in trouble in a rear-naked choke inside the 2d round, but Klose rallied for an impressive comeback victory over Giagos thru unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Klose escaped the choke and right away became up the strain on a tiring Giagos; whilst he ate a few right hands, Klose landed a blend, took Giagos down with a journey and landed a floor and pound assault.
The bout become a brawl within the third spherical. Klose landed a few very quality uppercuts inside the clinch, as well as a slam whilst Giagos tried a kimura.
Klose (eleven-1-1) has won 3 in a row and 5 of six in the UFC. The 31-yr-old Arizona resident has gained his remaining six fights by means of decision. Giagos (17-eight), a 29-12 months-vintage California local, had his -fight prevailing streak snapped.
Casey Kenney defeated Manny Bermudez by way of unanimous decision
Being the smaller guy failed to be counted a lot here.
In a bout that changed into moved as much as a a hundred and forty-pound catchweight Friday morning from bantamweight, Kennedy bested the previously undefeated Bermudez, the bigger guy, by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). The UFC determined to move up the weight limit of the bout because of each guys struggling to hit 135, however Kennedy stated he handiest weighed a hundred forty five kilos in the cage.
Kenney absolutely gained the bout with his wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu in opposition to Bermudez, a submission professional. Over the primary rounds, Kennedy was able to outgrapple the grappler. Bermudez located his fulfillment in pinnacle function within the third, however it turned into too past due.
"I knew my grappling turned into global magnificence," Kenney stated.
Kenney (13-1-1) is two-zero now inside the UFC and has won six immediately universal. The 28-year-vintage Arizona resident hasn't lost considering the fact that dropping a bout on Dana White's Contender collection in 2017. Bermudez (14-1), a 25-year-old prospect from Massachusetts, got here in with six instantly victories via submission. Bermudez weighed north of 164 pounds these days after hitting the size at a hundred and forty pounds Friday at weigh-ins, in line with the California kingdom Athletic fee.
Manny Bermudez weighed north of 164 pounds these days after hitting the dimensions at one hundred forty kilos Friday at weigh-ins, in step with the California kingdom Athletic fee. This is approximately 17 percent over the gotten smaller weight and the bout with Casey Kenney became initially scheduled for a hundred thirty five.
Hannah Cifers defeated Jodie Esquibel by using unanimous selection
five months after breaking her arm inside the Octagon, Cifers is returned with some other win.
"Shockwave" defeated Esquibel by means of unanimous choice (30-28, 30-27, 30-27) in a strawweight fight closer than the ones scores could suggest. Each round was tight, although it changed into clean the judges felt that Cifers landed the tougher pictures at some stage in.
Cifers nailed Esquibel with a few properly proper arms within the first round and had a few appropriate shots in a scramble in the second. The second one additionally noticed Cifers try to get Esquibel in a triangle and omoplata, but Esquibel escaped. Within the 1/3, Esquibel become able to manage Cifers at the ground for a respectable period.
Cifers (10-3) has gained two in a row after losing her UFC debut. The 27-yr-vintage North Carolina local has best misplaced to fellow UFC possibilities Maycee Barber and Gillian Robertson inside the past two years. Esquibel (6-6), the 33-12 months-old New Mexico native, has dropped 4 directly.
Kyung Ho Kang defeated Brandon Davis by split choice
It wasn't an ideal fight for "Mr. Ideal." however it become sufficient to get the nod.
Kang beat Davis by using break up choice (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) in a again-and-forth bout with a few fun striking exchanges and solid floor work. Kang dropped Davis with a proper hand inside the first round and become able to manipulate him at the floor inside the 0.33. Inside the 2nd, Davis had some great moments, wobbling Kang on numerous activities with tough punches.
Kang (sixteen-8, 1 NC) has now received two immediately and he's a shoo-in to be at the UFC's card in South Korea in December. The 31-12 months-old fighter has won 5 or six common. Davis (10-6), a 29-yr-vintage Mississippi resident, has misplaced four of six.
Sabina Mazo defeated Shana Dobson by unanimous choice
it's uncommon to have a greater dominating overall performance like the one Mazo did with out a end.
The blue-chip Colombian prospect rocked Dobson with a frame kick within the first, ate her up inside the clinch inside the 2d and hammered away with knees from a Thai clinch within the third en path to a unanimous choice (30-24, 30-25, 30-25) victory. The result turned into the most lopsided of any women's fight in UFC records. Dobson positioned forth nearly no offense, although she turned into never simply close to being completed.
Mazo (7-1) fell in her UFC debut to Maryna Moroz by way of unanimous selection at UFC Philadelphia in March. The 22-yr-antique Kings MMA product made her name with two head-kick knockouts in LFA. Dobson (3-3), a 30-year-vintage Washington, D.C., resident, has dropped in a row after prevailing her UFC debut in 2017.
Paulo Costa
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- It was a fight that was booked remaining November, deliberate again in advance this year and, for numerous reasons, failed to take place. Till now. And the completed product became even better than anticipated. Paulo Costa beat Yoel Romero by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in a key middleweight combat at UFC 241 on Saturday. However the ratings were infrequently the tale. The enthusiasts at Honda center, who were pro-Romero all night, booed Costa in a while. That become unfortunate, due to the type of warfare each guys put forth.
From the opening bell, Romero and Costa threw haymakers. Each had been dropped in the first spherical, and Costa become later bloodied. The third round turned into perhaps one of the first-rate of all time. The combat itself turned into a surefire combat of the year contender.
Costa had his hand raised on the quit and said he would be looking ahead to the UFC middleweight title. Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya will unify the belt at UFC 243 on Oct. 6 in Melbourne, Australia.
"After this combat, I want my chance to show i'm the champion," Costa stated.
Perhaps he will. It became a heck of an effort to continue to exist Romero. Costa rocked Romero within the first, handiest for Romero to come back right again with a left hand and drop him. The frame paintings Costa installed for the duration of, beginning early on and a ton within the 2nd round, sincerely helped him because the bout wore on.
There was one wild collection inside the first spherical. Romero landed a aggregate in opposition to the cage on Costa and sponsored up. Costa shrugged his shoulders and pantomimed Romero to return again. Romero desired it in the center of the cage, so Costa got here out and landed a proper hand to the face.
Throughout, on every occasion Costa would land or Romero would slip a shot, Romero might stick his tongue out. In the 0.33, a bloody Costa did the identical aspect proper again to him. At one point within the 0.33, they both placed their fingers in the back of their backs and challenged the other. Then they started out throwing massive bombs.
Costa (thirteen-0) has won all five of his UFC fights and till now he had knocked all his previous fighters out. The 28-year-vintage had by no means gone to the judges earlier than. Romero (thirteen-four) has misplaced three of four, but the ones losses have been to Costa and Whittaker. At forty two years vintage, the previous Olympic wrestling silver medalist stays one of the most risky guys within the middleweight division.
Sodiq Yusuff defeated Gabriel Benitez via first-round TKO
The story here turned into very clear. Benitez felt out Yusuff early, searching for the variety to land his beautiful immediately left hand. And he did, rocking Yusuff with several of these punches. Yusuff, although, made an adjustment of his own. While Benitez went for the instantly left later in the first round, Yusuff countered with a right hook -- and the combat was over soon after.
Yusuff dropped Benitez with that proper hand, then followed up at the floor with tough shots for a TKO victory at 4:14 of the first.
"i'm Nigerian, baby," Yusuff said. "we're constructed for conflict. That is what we do."
Yusuff (10-1) has won 5 straight bouts, together with 3 of those within the UFC. The 26-12 months-antique, who now lives in Maryland, is one of four Nigeria-born fighters presently in the UFC, along with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and UFC interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. The ones four opponents, which additionally consists of Kennedy Nzechukwu, are a mixed 19-1 in the UFC. Benitez (21-7), a 31-year-antique Mexico native, had his two-combat triumphing streak snapped.
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Sodiq Yusuff defeated UFC 241 Gabriel Benítez for his 5th win in a row. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC through Getty photos
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Derek Brunson defeated Ian Heinisch by using unanimous choice
thinking about the opening seconds, it was a fight that couldn't have gone higher for Brunson. After Heinisch cracked him with a head kick to start the bout, Brunson changed into capable of weather the storm and take over from there in a unanimous selection (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) victory. Brunson forced Heinisch, landed some tough left fingers and takedowns the rest of the way.
There was a bizarre occurrence in between the second and 0.33 rounds. Polarizing UFC welterweight Colby Covington arrived to his seat at Honda center to loud boos. Covington, who turned into carrying a "Make america great again" hat, acquired chants of "Colby sucks!" and "F--- you, Colby!" thereafter. The gang regarded distracted by using Covington's presence and no longer inquisitive about the actual fight in the Octagon.
Brunson (20-7) has now received two in a row. The 35-12 months-old North Carolina native, now schooling out of tough Knocks 365, came in as a +a hundred thirty underdog. Heinisch (thirteen-2), a 31-yr-antique Colorado native, had a five-combat prevailing streak snapped. This turned into his first career UFC loss.
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Derek Brunson defeated Ian Heinisch by unanimous choice at UFC 241 for his second straight victory. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty pix
Khama worthy defeated Devonte Smith by using first-spherical TKO
It changed into a overall performance worth of a bright UFC future. Worthy dropped Smith with a large counter left hook-proper hand combination and finished at the ground for a TKO victory at 4:15 of the primary spherical. The maximum extremely good issue about it? Worth took the fight on quick be aware -- just 4 days in the past -- whilst Smith's previous opponent Clay Collard withdrew.
The victory became the most important disillusioned of the year in the UFC. Worth got here in as a +650 underdog. It become worthy's first first-round finish in his past 12 bouts.
Worthy and Smith have recognised every other for years and have educated with every other. Worth said the more youthful Smith will come again and feature a robust UFC run, however "i have were given a circle of relatives -- i have gotta get paid."
worthy (15-6) has won six instantly bouts. This turned into the UFC debut for the 32-year-antique Pennsylvania native. Smith (10-2), a 26-year-vintage Ohio local, had his six-fight triumphing streak snapped.
Cory Sandhagen defeated Raphael Assuncao by using unanimous choice
add the name Sandhagen to the listing of warring parties angling for Henry Cejudo.
In a complete performance, Sandhagen beat Assuncao via unanimous selection (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). Assuncao, a stalwart at bantamweight, has hardly ever been crushed in a combat the way he become against Sandhagen, who mixed matters up nicely at the feet, chewed up both of Assuncao's legs with kicks and defended maximum of Assuncao's takedown attempts.
Within the first round alone, Sandhagen landed 25 full-size strikes, the maximum Assuncao has absorbed in a unmarried spherical in his UFC profession, in keeping with ESPN Stats & information.
"i know how desirable i am," Sandhagen stated. "and i comprehend it's going to take a bit whilst for human beings to find out how proper i'm."
Coming in, Sandhagen changed into ranked No. 10 in ESPN's bantamweight ratings. Assuncao was No. Five. So, this was a widespread victory for Sandhagen's future name contender hopes.
Sandhagen (12-1) has won seven bouts in a row, inclusive of the primary five of his UFC profession. The 27-12 months-antique Colorado resident has now not lost since 2017. Assuncao (27-7) has now lost two straight. The 37-year-old Brazilian, who lives and trains in Georgia, fell to Marlon Moraes through first-spherical submission at UFC Fortaleza in February.
Drakkar Klose defeated Christos Giagos by means of unanimous choice
Klose pulled out a close one.
He turned into in trouble in a rear-naked choke inside the 2d round, but Klose rallied for an impressive comeback victory over Giagos thru unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Klose escaped the choke and right away became up the strain on a tiring Giagos; whilst he ate a few right hands, Klose landed a blend, took Giagos down with a journey and landed a floor and pound assault.
The bout become a brawl within the third spherical. Klose landed a few very quality uppercuts inside the clinch, as well as a slam whilst Giagos tried a kimura.
Klose (eleven-1-1) has won 3 in a row and 5 of six in the UFC. The 31-yr-old Arizona resident has gained his remaining six fights by means of decision. Giagos (17-eight), a 29-12 months-vintage California local, had his -fight prevailing streak snapped.
Casey Kenney defeated Manny Bermudez by way of unanimous decision
Being the smaller guy failed to be counted a lot here.
In a bout that changed into moved as much as a a hundred and forty-pound catchweight Friday morning from bantamweight, Kennedy bested the previously undefeated Bermudez, the bigger guy, by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). The UFC determined to move up the weight limit of the bout because of each guys struggling to hit 135, however Kennedy stated he handiest weighed a hundred forty five kilos in the cage.
Kenney absolutely gained the bout with his wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu in opposition to Bermudez, a submission professional. Over the primary rounds, Kennedy was able to outgrapple the grappler. Bermudez located his fulfillment in pinnacle function within the third, however it turned into too past due.
"I knew my grappling turned into global magnificence," Kenney stated.
Kenney (13-1-1) is two-zero now inside the UFC and has won six immediately universal. The 28-year-vintage Arizona resident hasn't lost considering the fact that dropping a bout on Dana White's Contender collection in 2017. Bermudez (14-1), a 25-year-old prospect from Massachusetts, got here in with six instantly victories via submission. Bermudez weighed north of 164 pounds these days after hitting the size at a hundred and forty pounds Friday at weigh-ins, in line with the California kingdom Athletic fee.
Manny Bermudez weighed north of 164 pounds these days after hitting the dimensions at one hundred forty kilos Friday at weigh-ins, in step with the California kingdom Athletic fee. This is approximately 17 percent over the gotten smaller weight and the bout with Casey Kenney became initially scheduled for a hundred thirty five.
Hannah Cifers defeated Jodie Esquibel by using unanimous selection
five months after breaking her arm inside the Octagon, Cifers is returned with some other win.
"Shockwave" defeated Esquibel by means of unanimous choice (30-28, 30-27, 30-27) in a strawweight fight closer than the ones scores could suggest. Each round was tight, although it changed into clean the judges felt that Cifers landed the tougher pictures at some stage in.
Cifers nailed Esquibel with a few properly proper arms within the first round and had a few appropriate shots in a scramble in the second. The second one additionally noticed Cifers try to get Esquibel in a triangle and omoplata, but Esquibel escaped. Within the 1/3, Esquibel become able to manage Cifers at the ground for a respectable period.
Cifers (10-3) has gained two in a row after losing her UFC debut. The 27-yr-vintage North Carolina local has best misplaced to fellow UFC possibilities Maycee Barber and Gillian Robertson inside the past two years. Esquibel (6-6), the 33-12 months-old New Mexico native, has dropped 4 directly.
Kyung Ho Kang defeated Brandon Davis by split choice
It wasn't an ideal fight for "Mr. Ideal." however it become sufficient to get the nod.
Kang beat Davis by using break up choice (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) in a again-and-forth bout with a few fun striking exchanges and solid floor work. Kang dropped Davis with a proper hand inside the first round and become able to manipulate him at the floor inside the 0.33. Inside the 2nd, Davis had some great moments, wobbling Kang on numerous activities with tough punches.
Kang (sixteen-8, 1 NC) has now received two immediately and he's a shoo-in to be at the UFC's card in South Korea in December. The 31-12 months-old fighter has won 5 or six common. Davis (10-6), a 29-yr-vintage Mississippi resident, has misplaced four of six.
Sabina Mazo defeated Shana Dobson by unanimous choice
it's uncommon to have a greater dominating overall performance like the one Mazo did with out a end.
The blue-chip Colombian prospect rocked Dobson with a frame kick within the first, ate her up inside the clinch inside the 2d and hammered away with knees from a Thai clinch within the third en path to a unanimous choice (30-24, 30-25, 30-25) victory. The result turned into the most lopsided of any women's fight in UFC records. Dobson positioned forth nearly no offense, although she turned into never simply close to being completed.
Mazo (7-1) fell in her UFC debut to Maryna Moroz by way of unanimous selection at UFC Philadelphia in March. The 22-yr-antique Kings MMA product made her name with two head-kick knockouts in LFA. Dobson (3-3), a 30-year-vintage Washington, D.C., resident, has dropped in a row after prevailing her UFC debut in 2017.