In what might have been Ricardo Lamas’ final fight, “The Bully” sure made things memorable. The longtime UFC and WEC featherweight faced off with newcomer Bill Algeo Saturday at UFC Vegas 8, in what turned out to be one of Lamas’ best fights in recent memory.
It wasn’t until after that he revealed it may have been his last. A back-and-forth affair, Lamas had to put up with a debuting fighter more than ready to prove a point. The veteran wound up rocked more than once, but regrouped, maintained composure, and had a huge third round, earning him a 10-8 on all three judges scorecards and coming close to a ground n’ pound finish at the bell.
For a short-notice replacement taking on a featherweight stalwart, Algeo acquitted himself quite well. The UFC recognized the efforts of both men, awarding the bout the Fight of the Night. If that was Lamas’ final appearance, it was a heck of a performance to go out on.
Performance of the Night bonuses when to two preliminary card fighters. Mallory Martin opened UFC Vegas 8, and found herself knocked down and nearly finished by Hannah “Shockwave” Cifers. Martin somehow escaped the round after being rocked multiple times and slammed twice. She adjusted, took the fight down early in the second, and sunk in the rear-naked choke for the win.
Sean Brady had the third of four straight submissions to open UFC Vegas 8 — the only finishes on the card in fact. He secured a guillotine choke on Christian Aguilera in the second round to seal the deal.
All four bonus-winning fighters will pocket an extra $50,000 USD for their efforts.
