There are cards that, on paper, sell themselves. There are cards that, at first glance, look ho-hum until you recognize the potential many of the fights (and athletes) have. You know the ones we’re talking about. Nary a big name, but a Fight Night event that ends of with eleven finishes. And then there are the middle-of-the-road cards. The ones that aren’t stacked, but don’t feel like they’re going to surprise anyone. UFC 228 looked like one of those.

It didn’t help that it was topped by Tyron Woodley, a figure who could aptly be called Tyron Wooden in terms of showing personality on UFC broadcasts. UFC President Dana White seems perpetually at odds with his welterweight champ, but that should never be the litmus test (who isn’t White feuding with at any given moment?). But White had a few valid complaints, and fans as a whole hadn’t been sold on ‘The Chosen One.’

Strike one. Strike two, the lack of a ‘big’ draw on the card. The UFC countered by positioning a second title fight in the co-main event slot. The first title defense of Nicco Montano’s reign. Strike three came when she fell ill during her weight cut, was rushed to hospital, and stripped of her belt.

Plenty has been said on that subject. Yet when the smoke cleared, and opening riff to The Who’s Teenage Wasteland finally sounded, the card that unfolded was… pretty darn great, actually. Far beyond expectations.

Career performances from Tatiana Suarez, Jessica Andrade, Zabit Magomedsharipov, and others certainly helped make UFC 228 something special. With that in mind, let’s look at three of the takeaways from what turned out to be a critical event that will help shape several divisions for months to come.

There’s A Good Reason Why Nobody Wants to Fight ZaBeast

ZaBeast seems like such a silly name for Zabit Magomedsharipov, but with a name that would be at least a triple word score in Scrabble if nouns were allowed, it’ll do. And he is a beast. There’s a very good reason why nobody wants to fight the man: he doesn’t really have much in the way of weakness.

He’s good on the ground, good in the grappling department, his striking is brilliant, and he hasn’t shown any real cardio concerns. The path to victory against Zabit at this point would seem to involve a Tonya Harding-style kneecapping. That’s not to say he won’t lose, but it feels like a lucky punch or a true break-out style performance will be needed to derail this hype train.

Let’s face it: ZaBeast saw Aljamain Sterling pull off a rarely seen knee-bar from back mount at UFC 228. A move that had only been successful once before in UFC history. He saw that, went “I can do that even better,” then went out and did exactly that. With that effortless style that makes Magomedsharipov feel like featherweight’s answer to Gegard Mousasi. Laid back. At ease in the cage. Dangerous everywhere.

https://twitter.com/GIFSkull/status/1038627804126965760

What’s next? Well, Yair Rodriguez still sounds fun, but it feels like that fight may never happen. So, whatever ranked opponent the UFC can find who is willing to face the man, basically.

Thug Rose Has No Shortage of Challengers

Fans of the UFC’s 115lb division have been saying it for a while: strawweight is stacked. One of the deepest divisions on the women’s side of the sport (which, if you look outside the UFC, includes atomweight to lightweight essentially). Within the UFC, it’s now the most exciting division there is, even with some of the talent migrating North to flyweight.

Two fighters stood out at UFC 228 when it comes to strawweight action: TUF 23 winner Tatiana Suarez went out and dominated former champion Carla Esparza for three full rounds. A statement victory, she announced her arrival as a title contender. Her wrestling is second to none in the division right now, and Esparza was no slouch in the grappling department herself.

Then, not to be outdone, Jessica Andrade outright mugged Karolina Kowalkiewicz in UFC 228’s co-main event. It was less of a fight than a beatdown. The comparisons to a young Wanderlei Silva were made almost instantly, and rightfully so. Andrade looked that fearsome, that dominant.

She’ll likely get the nod to face Rose Namajunas next. Meanwhile, with Suarez, former champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Claudia Gadelha, and others still in the mix, ‘Thug Rose’ had better not let her guard down. The UFC’s smallest division is brimming with monsters.

Tyron Woodley’s Star Turn

Heading into UFC 228, many a UFC fan was no doubt rooting for a Tyron Woodley loss. His last several fights had been nothing to write home about. He was seen as a “difficult” champion. He lacked the promotional abilities of other top UFC stars. Heck, most had him as an underdog despite holding the title. That, against a Darren Till who didn’t exactly inspire the masses with his win over Stephen Thompson last time out.

Then something funny happened in the UFC 228 main event. Tyron Woodley stormed out of the gate. He was immediately more aggressive than he had been since winning the belt. He fought like how Tryon Woodley should, given his physical gifts. He did not back down, did not left up. Till landed barely a single strike in nearly nine minutes. Then found himself caught in a D’Arce choke and forced to tap.

Woodley isn’t about to become Conor McGregor, nor should he. What he can, and should, do, is continue fighting with that sort of fire under him. Combined with an upcoming single featuring Wiz Khalifa, as well as several movie projects, and it feels like this could be Woodley’s breakout moment.

Now, if the UFC can just start pushing him, or at least stop throwing him under the bus.

The post Three Takeaways From UFC 228, A Card That Went Beyond Expectations appeared first on Cageside Press.

There are nights where handing out UFC bonuses feels like an easy job. A couple of fighters stand out. One fight is entertaining far beyond the rest of the pack. Then there are nights like UFC 228 in Dallas on Saturday. Nights where it feels like eight or nine bonuses could be handed out.

Frank Camacho and Geoff Neal put on a war, with Neal making an emphatic statement that he has arrived in the welterweight division. Jim Miller picked up an impressive submission win in his record-setting 30th trip to the octagon. And both Aljamain Sterling and Zabit Magomedsharipov secured knee bar submission wins — from back mount. A submission pulled off just once prior to UFC 228.

Those, mind you, were the fighters who did not earn bonuses at UFC 228. Which tells you how deep the card turned out to be. Instead, it was champion Tyron Woodley earning one of the two Performance of the Night bonuses. Woodley finished Darren Till via D’Arce choke, defending his welterweight title for the first time in over a year.

The other Performance bonus went to Jessica Andrade, who knocked out fellow former title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz in under two minutes. The KO was the culmination of an all-out assault, and a statement victory for Andrade.

Fight of the Night, meanwhile, went to Irena Aldana vs. Lucie Pudilova, a bloody war that appeared on the Fight Pass preliminary card. Aldana picked up the split decision win in that one.

All four fighters will earn an extra $50,000 in bonus money.

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Tyron Woodley returned to action at UFC 228 in Dallas on Saturday night. Topping the Pay Per View card, Woodley faced off against Darren Till with the welterweight title on the line. Till entered the night an undefeated representative of the new generation of MMA. Champ Woodley, while not exactly an elder statesman, was old school enough — and shockingly, an underdog, according to some anyway.

Woodley came on strong and made no mistake in defending his title for the first time in over a year. Catching Till in a D’arce choke in the second round, he forced the tap, and likely silenced a number of critics in the process. Where Woodley goes from here remains to be seen: he’s never been a hugely popular champ, but that sort of win can’t be ignored. Sort-of interim champion Colby Covington is still out there, while there’s always the elusive fight with Georges St. Pierre.

All that is for another day. Woodley, for now, can bask in the win — and was also awarded his black belt in BJJ following the fight. What a night.

See what Woodley’s fellow pros, including Vitor Belfort and Alistair Overeem, had to say about the win below, as the pros react to the UFC 228 main event!

@darrentill2 just winked from the bottom at the red. No doubt he is a warrior. #ufc228 @ufc

— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) September 9, 2018

T-WOOD!! 🏆@TWooodley makes Darren Till tap at #UFC228! pic.twitter.com/Ej5nKfSdPq

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) September 9, 2018

Congrats @TWooodley !!! And welcome to the club!!! #blackbelt #ufc228

— Jessica Penne (@JessicaPenne) September 9, 2018

Can @TWooodley finally get some respect? Damn.

— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) September 9, 2018

Fuck yes @TWooodley

— Nina Ansaroff (@NinaAnsaroff) September 9, 2018

All hail @TWooodley … not only is he pretty AF. He can fight! @ufc

— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) September 9, 2018

And the champ @TWooodley makes a HUGE statement. Chokes Till to submission in round 2. #UFC228

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) September 9, 2018

Till next time #UFC228 Congrats Woodly 👏🏽

— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) September 9, 2018

Wow. @TWooodley 🙌🏻

— Bec Rodriguez (@RowdyBec) September 9, 2018

I'll just leave this here again. #UFC228 pic.twitter.com/Y6S8Dz7pel

— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) September 9, 2018

Respect!!! @darrentill2 people might take his persona as cocky or arrogant but I see him as a man who has lots of self belief. Humble in victory and defeat. #warrior

— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) September 9, 2018

@darrentill2 is tough as hell congrats to my brother @TWooodley give this man his respect! #andstill #ufc228 @ufc

— Truck Gordon (@TruckGordon) September 9, 2018

I believe Till was rushed into the title shot, but he has the world in front of him and will come back stronger. #ufc228

— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) September 9, 2018

Huge congrats to @TWooodley I’m sure @darrentill2 will be back #ufc228

— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) September 9, 2018

@twooodley congrats well done job.
I confess that I had darrentill2 but u prove me wrong.
Respect ✊ https://t.co/6Snrv0i7pw

— Vitor Belfort (@vitorbelfort) September 9, 2018

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Tyron Woodley went into UFC 228 as an underdog as many saw this fight being Till’s due to the length and reach of Darren Till. Despite not being very experienced, in his tests of Donald Cerrone and Stephen Thompson, he passed with flying colors, proving he belongs among welterweight’s elite fighters. Saturday night, he met his match in the welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and lost his undefeated record.

Woodley started the fight way more aggressive than he did in his previous fights against Wonderboy and Maia, shooting across the Octagon looking for a flurry and then shooting for a takedown, pushing Till to the fence. However, he couldn’t get him down and the two were separated from the clinch. After some more patience from Till, Woodley pushed the fight to the fence once again, and they were separated once more. Overall a close, uneventful first round.

To start the second round, Till ran across the octagon and immediately got dropped by a Woodley right hand and it looked like the fight was over. Woodley started dropping giant elbows as he began to swarm, looking for the finish. Despite this, Till survived as he locked up Woodley in his guard. Woodley would move to mount and then half guard. Till was trapped on his side and slowly secured a D’arce choke to get the tap! Tyron Woodley is still the welterweight champion, and Darren Till is no longer undefeated.

The impressive submission proved Woodley was worthy of a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt in the opinion of the champion’s coaches, making for an emotional celebration.

Tyron Woodley def. Darren Till by Submission (D’arce Choke) in Round 2 (4:19)

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Going into UFC 228, Jessica Andrade and Karolina Kowalkiewicz were on two fight winning streaks, and one had to figure that their fight was a number one contender bout. The pair were bumped up to co-main event status in the wake of Nicco Montano being forced off the card. Karolina had already beaten the champion Rose, and a win here would absolutely get her the rematch for the title. Andrade? She had been a beast at strawweight, overcoming all but Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

Kowalkiewicz no doubt had high hopes of meeting ‘Thug Rose’ for the second time. However those plans were dashed after a big win by Jessica Andrade, and a stunning knockout.

It wasn’t just the knockout that was stunning, however. Jessica Andrade ran across the octagon off the opening bell looking like Wanderlei Silva circa 2004. She immediately hurt Karolina, landing big hands and winging punches. Andrade took a few shots as well, but it was Kowalkiewicz getting the brunt of the beating. However Karolina would go on to survive past the first minute, despite taking a lot of damage in that short span. Despite doing her best to survive, though, the Polish fighter would go on to get knocked out with a giant right hand. Less than two minutes in, and Jessica Andrade had made a huge statement.

ONE PUNCH! @JessicaMMApro #UFC228 pic.twitter.com/CLsNFVFmgQ

— UFC (@ufc) September 9, 2018

One has to figure that after such a giant win and impressive knockout, she’ll get the title shot against the champion Rose Namajunas next. The win came at the perfect time, as Tatiana Suarez made a big statement earlier on the UFC 228 card with her victory over Carla Esparza. However, it would be hard to deny Andrade another shot at gold after her performance in the co-main event.

Jessica Andrade def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz by knockout, Round 1, 1:58

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Zabit Magomedsharipov, going into UFC 228, was 3-0 in the UFC and 15-1 as a professional fighter. With extremely high expectations going into the UFC, he had not let anyone down. ‘ZaBeast’ originally had a fight scheduled against fellow prospect Yair Rodriguez going into the event, however two weeks prior to the show Yair dropped. Instead, former Contender Series alum Brandon Davis stepped in. Many saw this fight as a showcase for Zabit, and that’s exactly what it was.

Round one featured both fighters finding some success. Davis pushed the pace on Zabit but got caught a number of times coming in on him, especially with a couple of left hooks. The last minute of the round featured Zabit slamming Davis and taking the back more than once. However he ended it the only way he could, with a spin kick. Davis mind you did have some success with leg kicks. At the very least, he survived the round.

That wasn’t the case in the next frame. Zabit continued where he left off in the second round with his grappling. Getting Davis to the ground repeatedly, he looked for the rear naked choke, however he switched it to straight knee bar from the back! Incredibly, he got it! The second time on the night at a knee bar had been used from the back for a win (Aljamain Sterling hit it first). That, after the move had only been used once before in UFC history. In case you weren’t aware, Zabit Magomedsharipov is legit ladies and gentlemen.

THERE'S THE TAP!

@Zabit_MMA notches his fourth Octagon victory! #UFC228 pic.twitter.com/iSuINpVGJV

— UFC (@ufc) September 9, 2018

One has to wonder where Zabit goes from here. The obvious option would be to re-book the fight with Rodriguez, of course. But in all honesty, Magomedsharipov is a problem for anyone in the 145lb division.

Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Brandon Davis by submission (knee bar), Round 2, 2:46

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Another key bantamweight bout on the UFC 228 main card, Jimmie Rivera vs. John Dodson promised plenty of fireworks. With Rivera coming off a rare loss that snapped a years-long winning streak, you knew he was highly motivated to get back in the win column. As for Dodson, ‘The Magician’ had never quite lived up to expectations at 135lbs, despite winning The Ultimate Fighter there. Yet the two-time flyweight title challenger was still looking to find his footing, something a statement win over Rivera would no doubt help.

Rivera vs. Dodson started with a little bit of a feeling out process early as the action got underway. Dodson then caught a leg off a kick, and was able to clip him with a punch. Dodson has the speed advantage, but Rivera, undeterred, continued to attack the lead leg of his opponent. He followed that with a punch to the body. Dodson then landed a thudding kick to the midsection. It would be a speed versus power situation, but as he’s made clear over the years, Dodson does have fairly heavy hands. Rivera opted to change things up, thinking takedown, only to be denied by his opponent. He’d connect with a jab after Dodson fired off a kick, however. The chess match nature of the first round did not exactly win over the fans, however, who were fairly agitated towards the end of the frame.

In the second, Rivera continued attacking Dodson’s leg, looking no doubt to take away the former flyweight title challenger’s speed advantage. Dodson stayed outside, but checked the next kick, and caught a third. Rivera, however, was also having success with his hands, moving in and out, using head feints, and keeping Dodson guessing. A low blow by Rivera would pause the action, and they’d continue with the back-and-forth to close out the round.

The third round continued the chess match approach. No one fighter really stood out over the course of the fight. If anything, Rivera’s attacks had slowed Dodson a little, allowing ‘El Terror’ to be more effective as the fight went on. The judge’s seemed to agree, awarding Rivera a unanimous decision in the end. It wasn’t the fireworks many expected, but Rivera, at least, got things back on track.

Jimmie Rivera def. John Dodson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

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Niko Price and Abdul Razak Alhassan were both deadly prospects in the UFC’s 170 pound division heading into UFC 228. Both on two fight win streaks, Niko Price was 4-1-1 in the UFC with all four wins being finishes. Alhassan on the other hand was 3-1 in the UFC with all three being knockouts. Going into the fight many assumed there was going to be a finish. Easy call, right? And a finish there was — an amazing knockout by Alhassan.

The opening round started with both fighters swinging for the fences. Price came forward and seconds in landed a really crisp right hand that backed up Alhassan. However, moments later Alhassan would push forward and start landing punches; he soon connected with some serious blows. Price was on the cage, and a left eventually crumpled him. Wow. Wasting no time whatsoever, Abdul Razak Alhassan had arrived. The finish of Price came in under a minute.

Despite only having five fights in the UFC it’s very easy to see Abdul Razak Alhassan’s potential in the promotion. Another victory via knockout for him, and the UFC was immediately on top of it. One has to figure that he’ll get a ranked opponent next at welterweight, and with this win he will likely break into the top 15 at 170 pounds.

1️⃣0️⃣ victories

1️⃣0️⃣ KOs

1️⃣0️⃣ first round finishes@JudoRazak #UFC228 pic.twitter.com/JSZbXW5kUV

— UFC (@ufc) September 9, 2018

Abdul Razak Alhassan def. Niko Price by knockout, Round 1, 0:43

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Topping the televised preliminary card at UFC 228 in Dallas on Saturday, former women’s strawweight champ Carla Esparza faced fellow Ultimate Fighter winner Tatiana Suarez in a fight that, while it wasn’t a title eliminator, would inch one fighter closer to a chance at Rose Namajunas. Truth be told, Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Jessica Andrade would likely select the next title challenger. Yet Esparza vs. Suarez was no less important, as with the division wide open, the winner could be next in line — or the fighter called upon in case of injury.

With two fighters known for their grappling facing off, the question was, would they cancel each other out? Or would someone get the fight down? Turns out, Tatiana Suarez was able to early. Working from Esparza’s guard, Suarez was able to lift and slam her down, and land considerable ground n’ pound while controlling the former champion. Esparza was almost immediately showing swelling under her right eye, while Suarez worked in some slicing elbows. Esparza was completely trapped, unable to escape even when Tatiana Suarez began kneeing her body. Every time Esparza came close to freeing herself, Suarez would reposition, and drag her back into a bad spot.

Round two saw Suarez get the fight down early, but this time, Carla Esparza was able to make it back to her feet. She struggled to break free, however, and wound up trapped in another clinch along the fence. That led to another takedown, and with three minutes to go in the second round, it looked to be a long night for the former strawweight champion. She’d make it back to her feet again, but through the first two rounds, that was perhaps the only small victory for Esparza. Otherwise, she was completely dominated.

Round three saw Esparza again trying to fend off a takedown in the opening seconds. And while she came close to reversing, it wasn’t to be. Instead, she was taken down again. Once more, she made it back up — only to be slammed onto her back. Tatiana Suarez, impressively, had her way with the former champion. As the fight wound down, Suarez was move to mount, begun dropping even more ground n’ pound, and earn the stoppage win in the final minute!

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1038606711962054656

With that statement win, there’s no doubt Suarez has arrived as a contender at 115lbs. Something not lost on her, who pointed out that she dominated Esparza, a fighter who holds a win over current champ Rose Namajunas. “Let’s just say she’d better put it in my mailbox” Suarez said of a title shot against the current champ.

Tatiana Suarez def. Carla Esparza by TKO, Round 3, 4:33

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In a key bantamweight bout at UFC 228 in Dallas, TX on Saturday, Aljamain Sterling met Cody Stamann in a fight that could potentially push either man closer to a title shot. For Stamann, it was a chance to build on his ten-fight win streak, and claim another top name after a win over Bryan Caraway at UFC 222 earlier in the year. Sterling, meanwhile, had a chance to score his second win in a row after picking up a victory over Brett Johns at UFC Atlantic City.

Cody Stamann came out with a fire under him and immediately fired off a head kick that was at least partially blocked. Sterling, meanwhile, answered back with a right hand. Stamann also connected with a right to the body. He was able to back Sterling up, eventually forcing Sterling to try for a takedown attempt. That takedown was nowhere to be found, however. Shortly after it was Sterling firing off a front kick to the body, with Stamann answering back and the pair getting a bit creative in the striking department. That was short lived, however, as they tied up against the cage, Stamann driving his foe into the fence, adding knees to the body. Stamann then dropped down looking for a takedown, but Sterling was able to fend him off. With both men being high level wrestlers, the standup game would be crucial. Case in point, Sterling connecting with a big spinning back fist.

Stamann, however, responded to that attack by getting Sterling to the mat. Sterling threw up a triangle, with nearly a minute remaining, but Stamann was able to escape. That allowed Aljamain Sterling to make it back to his feet however. Yet when he went for a takedown of his own, he slid off and was instead slammed down by Stamann.

In round two, it was Sterling who found success with the takedown. But he couldn’t keep the fight there. That said, in a bit of a scramble at the midway point, Sterling managed to obtain mount. Stamann had to decide whether to ride it out or give up the back. He wound up giving up the back, only to eat some strikes and be flattened out. Sterling was landing some hard measured shots while Stamann tried to shake him off. Sterling then caught him in a leg lock from the back, forcing Stamann, clearly in pain, to tap! That, after an attempt at a full nelson as well. Stamann took his time getting back to his feet, and UFC color commentator Joe Rogan later revealed that the submission was only the second knee bar from back mount completed in the UFC.

Brought the FUNK! #UFC228 pic.twitter.com/GCIgr0sLjq

— UFC (@ufc) September 9, 2018

Pointing out post-fight that he had not had a finish since 2015, Sterling was animated on the mic. “I want the winner of Rivera against Dodson,” Sterling called out after the fight, adding that he’d take Dominick Cruz if they didn’t want to fight.

“I’m the human backpack, I’m the human chess board, I will snatch the neck up in a heartbeat,” he added later.

Aljamain Sterling def. Cody Stamann by submission (knee bar), Round 2, 3:42

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