New Orleans played host to UFC 318 on Saturday, and the card did not lack on action.
The first six fights on the preliminary card ended in finishes, and some thrilling battles transpired later in the evening, including a pair of barnburners on the main card that both saw multiple knockdowns: Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez, and the main event between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier.
While both of those fights presented a strong case for Fight of the Night, the UFC instead awarded the preliminary card grudge match between Brendan Allen and Marvin Vettori with the honor. Allen came away from the fight with the decision win, leaving Vettori bloodied after three rounds.
Allen’s status as a fighter with strong ties to Louisiana (his parents are from there, and Allen attended Southeastern Louisiana University) might have sealed the deal, as a local star, despite being born in South Carolina and training in Florida.
Ateba Gautier, Islam Dulatov and Carli Judice earned Performance of the Night bonuses on Saturday. Judice kicked off the event by flooring Nicole Caliari with a knee, while Dulatov flatlined Adam Fugitt with a punch. As for Ateba Gautier, he simply steamrolled Robert Valentin, an Ultimate Fighter alum, en route to a TKO finish.
All five fighters pick up an extra $50,000 for their efforts at UFC 318.
