Saturday, November 23’s UFC Macau marked the promotion’s fourth visit to the Chinese city (or Special Administrative Region), and first since 2014, when Michael Bisping faced off against Cung Le.
Kicking off the card, lightweights Maheshate and Nikolas Motta threw down, with both fighters looking to build on recent wins. In Maheshate’s case, that came against Gabriel Benetiz, in a split decision back in April. And for Nikolas Motta it was looking to secure another big finish following his victory of Charlie Ontiveros. As an added bonus, this was Motta’s first time fighting in front of a live crowd during his 5-fight, three-year career with the UFC.
The fight began with both fighters beginning cautiously, carefully popping out strikes well out of each other’s ranges. The respect from both men was palpable as the stadium’s early crowd buzzed with excitement. A little over a minute into the fight and Motta came crashing in looking to land the big left hook. Maheshate was utilizing the long guard and moving out of range before throwing a well-timed long knee that dropped Motta. The crowd exploded as Motta sprang back to his feet and ate another knee to the body but was able to recover.
Maheshate kept Nikolas on the end of his jab, but Motta switched up going low and digging to the body. Maheshate looked measured and utilized the long guard and his footwork often. With less than a minute left in the round, Motta turned up the pressure, landing leg kicks and big looping punches for as long as he came forward. With mere seconds left in the round, Motta finally caught Maheshate with two left hooks that sent him tumbling to the canvas. Nikolas swarmed, raining down punches on Maheshate, but he was able to survive till the end of the round.
The second round opened with Motta landing a leg kick before being dragged back into a short-range exchange with Maheshate. Motta landed the left hand again and temporarily floored his opponent, but he elected to let Maheshate return to his feet. About midway through the round and Maheshate landed a nice combination starting with a low kick and again landing that stepping knee. The crowd popped again as Motta closed the distance and landed another bunch of powerful hooks.
Maheshate continued to feint his kicks and pop out his jab, desperately trying to slow Nikolas from closing the distance at will. With thirty seconds in the round left, Motta started to come crashing in but, this time, had his attack thwarted by a crisp rangy jab. Maheshate utilized his footwork and pulled out of range evading the hooks and landing counters. The round expired with Maheshate successfully playing the matador to Motta’s bull.
Seconds into the third round after a measured exchange Motta landed a long-left hand counter that nearly KO’d his opponent. Nikolas chose to jump on the back of his opponent and began working for the rear naked choke. Motta got the choke under the neck but couldn’t get the finish. After surviving for about a minute, Maheshate reversed the position and sprang back to his feet. The crowd erupted. Motta looked a bit fatigued and dejected as Maheshate got back to work keeping the jab in the face of his opponent. Maheshate began to look the fresher fighter as he kept a largely inactive, Motta on the end of his punches and teeps.
Nikolas defended but looked sluggish for the last minute as fatigue was evident. In the final seconds of the fight both fighters showed respect and to the delight of all in attendance, engaged in one last exchange in the center of the octagon. Motta got the better of the short-range exchange once again, hurting a very game Maheshate in the final seconds of the exciting card opener. That took them to the scorecards, with Nikolas Motta pulling off the clean sweep.
Official Result: Nikolas Motta def. Maheshate by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
