UFC 283, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s return to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday, resulted in a big night full of explosive finishes and action-packed fights. But it was the main event between Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill that stood out above the rest.
That light heavyweight title fight, with the UFC’s vacant 205lb title up for grabs, turned into an all-out war. Teixeira ate all kinds of damage, but refused to go away quietly. While he never really came close to a finish, the 43-year old did a decent amount of damage on the much younger Hill, who nevertheless took home the decision.
Hill was overwhelmed with emotion by the end of the fight, unable to even speak to UFC analyst Daniel Cormier initially. As for Teixeira, he announced his retirement following the loss — adding that it was an honor to retire on the same night as another Brazilian legend, Shogun Rua.
Jamahal Hill became the first-ever UFC champion to have joined the promotion by way of Dana White’s Contender Series with the win.
That bout took home Fight of the Night honors at UFC 283. Performance of the Night bonuses, meanwhile, went to Jailton Almeida and Ismael Bonfim. Both hailing from Brazil, both with big finishes — but Ismael Bonfim’s may very well end up on the short list for Knockout of the Year 12 months from now. The lightweight newcomer floored Terrance McKinney with a perfectly timed flying knee.
Attendance for the UFC’s return to Brazil was 13,604.
