Thiago Santos

You have to feel a bit for Santos. After a split decision loss in a title fight to one of the greatest of all time, he was left on the shelf with a knee injury. Yet all that time away only seemed to make a second title shot more likely, with one of his old foes (one he beat, Jan Blachowicz) having taken the title. While it didn’t work out that way, there are still plenty of intriguing fights at 205 that could work him back into that mix in no time — one of which is “No Time.” Volkan Oezdemir represents a much better stylistic match for Santos in that he’ll be more willing to stand and trade with the Brazilian. It’s also hard to imagine Oezdemir taking shots like Teixeira did and still coming forward.

Thiago Santos’ Next Fight: Volkan Oezdemir

Tanner Boser

Boser came out looking like he knew what he trying to do against Andrei Alrlovski. He knew he had the speed advantage and working the legs seemed to be a priority. However, working the legs and staying away from the big shot seemed to be too much of a priority, resulting in not quite enough volume for him to pick up the win. It might be easier to turn up that volume against someone like Ben Rothwell. Rothwell has been in more than a couple fights that have turned into slugfests. That type of fight would probably be good for Boser after this tame one as it would allow him to use those speedy counters more frequently and effectively. With each coming off of a loss, it would also help one of them get back into the win column.

Tanner Boser’s Next Fight: Ben Rothwell

Khalid Taha

Khalid Taha has made every fight he’s had exciting with his quick hands and willingness to eat a shot to give one. That was on full display this past weekend when he and Raoni Barcelos both picked up a smooth 50k for their efforts. However exciting on the feet, Taha has shown a bit of a weakness when it comes to actually keeping things standing. In 10 rounds in the octagon, he has conceded 10 takedowns. Usually I would suggest someone who would just slug it out with him to get him back on the right track, but at 2-2 the UFC needs to know Taha can make an adjustment. Irwin Rivera would be an opponent that would satisfy both of those needs. He has a pretty decent wrestling game, but also loves to trade bombs. Pairing those two couldn’t possibly be dull.

Khalid Taha’s Next Fight: Irwin Rivera

Claudia Gadelha

Claudia Gadelha continued her trend of having solid, competitive fights with the top of the division, that she ultimately comes out on the wrong side of. Jedzrejczyk, Andrade, Ansaroff and now Xiaonan have now turned her away from the very top of the division by unanimous decision. However, in between these fights, she keeps showing she deserves to get these bookings. In a similar spot right now is Michelle Waterson, who took similar losses to Jedzrejczyk, Namajunas and Esparza. Neither is all that far from being relevant in the strawweight picture, but both need a signature win. Not only would it give both of them that chance, but we’d get another chance to see Gadelha deal with a distance striker and Waterson deal with someone much stronger than her.

Claudia Gadelha’s Next Fight: Michelle Waterson

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Glover Teixeira

Even though Dana White admitted Teixeira deserved the next shot it is very likely the UFC lets Adesanya get the next shot at Jan Blachowicz. The UFC loves marketing double champions. Teixeira should undoubtedly be next in line after that fight though.

Teixeira’s next fight: Winner of Blachowicz-Adesanya

Andrei Arlovski

Andrei Arlovski turned back the hands of time by defeating rising star Tanner Boser this past Saturday. Arlovski looked great landing some big shots that seemed like they would put Boser down throughout the fight. Both men looked a little gun shy at times but Arlovski definitely proved that his time in the UFC is far from over. Tai Tuivasa has a win over Arlovski in 2018. Since Tuivasa has just been resigned to the UFC and is looking to prove himself in the company, it would be great to see him grant Arlovski a rematch. Tuivasa has nine of his ten wins by knockout with the only win not by knockout being to Arlovski. Much to be gained by both men with this rematch.

Arlovski’s next fight: Rematch with Tai Tuivasa 

Raoni Barcelos

Raoni Barcelos defeated Khalid Taha via unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 13. In a Fight of the Night performance, Barcelos showed he has the talent to fight someone in the top ten in the bantamweight division. Merab Dvalishvili went to Twitter after the fight to call for a fight with Barcelos. This would be a great match-up given Barcelos has great grappling and powerful strikes. Dvalishvili also has made a name for himself as being a dominant grappler and having power in his hands. This pairing seems like fate as Dvalishvili’s December bout with Cody Stamann was recently scrapped due to a withdrawal by Stamann.

Barcelos’ next fight: Merab Dvalishvili

Giga Chikadze

Giga Chikadze scored a big head kick knockout over Jamey Simmons this past weekend. Bringing Chikadze to 5-0 in the UFC as a result. After his fight, he called out either Arnold Allen or Jeremy Stephens. He also asked Dana White for a co-main event slot in his next fight. White confirmed that it makes sense to him and he will be looking to book him as a co-main event in his next fight. Giga Chikadze versus Jeremy Stephens just screams violence. Any fight fan will tell you that is the fight they want to see next.

Chikadze’s next fight: Jeremy Stephens 

Yan Xiaonan

Yan Xiaonan won a very decisive decision win over Claudia Gadelha at UFC Vegas 13. Besides an early takedown that amounted to almost no damage, Claudia Gadelha did not really have any other bright spots in this fight. While Xiaonan was able to outstrike Gadelha while stuffing all of her takedowns in the final round. A lot of fans have been calling for Xiaonan to get the next title shot. The reality is though that she only has one win inside the top five. She should get another fight with someone in the top five and if she wins that fight she definitely deserves a title shot. If Joanna Jedrzejcyk is planning on coming back soon, that would be the perfect opponent for Xiaonan. It would be another possible fight of the year if Jedrzejcyk fights as she did in her fight with Weili Zhang.

Xiaonan’s next fight: Joanna Jedrzejcyk

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None have come close to hitting double digits in terms of fights inside the octagon.

Khalid Taha and Raoni Barcelos’ bantamweight bout was billed as a potential Fight of the Night from the outset. Doubters would be forgiven for questioning that marketing angle, as Taha was returning from a year-long suspension for diuretic use, and Barcelos had been on the sidelines nearly a year himself. But the fight lived up to the hype, with the Brazilian showcasing his hands in addition to his superb ground game. Taha gutted it out to the end, though Barcelos took home a one-sided decision. And they did, indeed, win Fight of the Night.

Romanov, in just his second UFC fight, impressed once again, pulling off the first forearm choke in UFC history (and the third of his career). Improving to 13-0, it was the Moldovan’s tenth first-round finish. That gave him one of the night’s two Performance of the Night bonuses.

Georgia’s Giga Chikadze, meanwhile, set up his finish of Jamey Simmons with a head kick. The small European nation has produced some big names in Chikadze, Merab Dvalishvili, and Roman Dolidze. After the win Saturday, Chikadze told UFC President Dana White that he was seeking a co-main event spot next. Whether he gets that or not remains to be seen, but he did pick up the other $50,000 US Performance bonus.

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Thiago Santos looked to prove he’s still a top-tier light heavyweight following his knee injuries that sidelined him for a year at UFC Vegas 13 against Glover Teixeira. The fight had been scheduled twice in the previous two months, but both men took turns testing positive for COVID-19.

Santos was 4-1 at light heavyweight with three stoppages heading into the fight and the lone loss coming against Jon Jones. Teixeira was in the middle of a career resurgence, winning four straight fights with two submissions and a knocking heading into the main event appearance. The 41-year-old debuted in the UFC way back in 2012.

Santos was swinging bombs early, but Teixeira was staying diligently out of range. That is until the one-minute mark, when a right hand caught him on the temple and rocked him. Santos started pouring it on, with Teixeira falling forward while seeking a takedown. He was as persistent as ever, though, sticking to Santos like glue and fighting through elbows to take him down into mount. Santos bucked him into side control and Teixeira settled things down by keeping pressure on Santos. The fight eventually made its way to full guard with Teixeira peppering Santos with ground-and-pound. The round ended with Teixeira in half guard.

Heavy shots! 🔨

Off to a quick start in the #UFCVegas13 main event. pic.twitter.com/EgvwGIX613

— UFC (@ufc) November 8, 2020

Santos whipped kicks to the leg and body of Teixeira to start the round, then was caught with a right hand and promptly taken down. Teixeira reached half guard and postured up to drop some bombs on his opponent. Heavy elbows came down from Teixeira which opened a window for him to get to mount. He went there, but was quickly sent back to half guard. Teixeira moved to side control and dropped elbows on Santos. The one-sided round nearly was the end of the fight, as Teixeira took the back of Santos and sunk in a rear-naked choke, but Santos was saved by the bell.

Saved by the bell 🔔

🇧🇷 @GloverTeixeira almost had the finish! #UFCVegas13 pic.twitter.com/VgAqGTBRes

— UFC (@ufc) November 8, 2020

The third round got off to a wild start. Teixeira shot for a takedown that was stuffed and Santos immediately dropped him with a straight punch. He jumped on with a barrage of punches, desperately trying to end the fight. Heavy shots found their way through, but like the first round, Teixeira fought through it to take Santos down against the fence. He quickly took the back, sunk in a rear-naked choke, and this time he got the tap. An incredible gutsy performance for Teixeira.

Glover Teixeira def. Thiago Santos by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in Round 3 (1:49)

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Tanner Boser was looking to continue his flawless 2020 at UFC Vegas 13 against what would be the biggest name on his resume, Andrei Arlovski. The Canadian Boser went from generally unknown heavyweight to one to watch very quickly. Brutal knockout victories in June and July on Fight Island launched him onto the radar.

It has been 15 years since Arlovski held the UFC belt and he’s still winning. The 41-year-old has won two of his last three fights, defeating Ben Rothwell and Philipe Lins. The Rothwell victory stopped a four-fight winless streak.

Boser stayed light on his feet early on then delivered a few leg kicks towards the tail end of the first minute to get things started. Boser kept the leg kicks coming, then hit a counter-left as Arlovski charged in. Arlovski fired a head kick that was deflected and Boser tried one of his own that was also blocked. After a bit of a tentative start for both men, Boser weaved in and landed a short left hook. Arlovski tried a head kick followed by a spinning backfist but neither strike landed. Arlovski went to a flurry of kicks, but again, nothing landed. Right before the end of the round, Arlovski connected with the best shot of the round, a sharp right hand that found its target.

Does that shot take the round? 🤔@AndreiArlovski lands late after a quiet first round. #UFCVegas13 pic.twitter.com/YgO2gJo2OR

— UFC (@ufc) November 8, 2020

Leg kicks were traded out of the gate with both fighters landing. Boser was winning the leg kick battle, but then ate a hook kick from Arlovski, who then landed a counter-right as Boser threw a haymaker. A straight right found the button for Arlovski and Boser answered with a strong hook. Arlovski landed another straight right as Boser was coming in with the jab. Boser came in with a flurry of hooks that landed, but not too cleanly. A body kick for Arlovski made Boser stumbled, and it felt like a 1-1 fight going into the final round.

Leg kicks from Arlovski started the final round and the pace picked up as Boser landed a right hand that backed him to the fence, covering up to avoid an overhand. The leg kicks continued to land for Boser, who fired a spinning backfist that was blocked. Visible bruising was on the lead leg of Arlovski from all the kicks, but he was still able to burst forward with a combination. He then landed a solid right hand. It was quiet for a brief period of time before Arlovski rushed in with a combination marked by a straight right hand. A left connected for Boser, who came up short with a looping right hand at the end of the round.

Andrei Arlovski def. Tanner Boser by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)

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When Germany’s Khalid Taha made his return to the Octagon Saturday at UFC Vegas 13 (after a suspension due to diuretic use), it was not against Jack Shore as expected. Instead, with Shore dropping out of the fight roughly a week ago, Taha was lined up with short-notice replacement Raoni Barcelos.

Making the bantamweight fight something of a pick ’em.

A feeling out process started the fight as both looked to figure the other out. Barcelos got things going with a pair of leg kicks that took Taha off of his feet. This prompted Taha to pick up the aggression and soon both were throwing caution to the wind with bombs. Both landed their fair share, but after a big one from Taha, Barcelos shot and wound up on top. After working to the back, Taha managed to spin to top guard. Barcelos returned to his feet after some time against the fence and they ended by exchanging as they did to start the round.

Taha’s game plan in the second seemed to be to throw with a bit more bad intent. He loaded up on some early shots that didn’t land flush. Barcelos, meanwhile picked away with his kicks and jabs. After a quick pause for a low blow to Taha, Barcelos got back to work on the legs. They began to add up on the right calf of Taha as he switches stances. That strategy didn’t work either as once there, Barcelos started landing big with hooks. Taha was on wobbly legs as the horn sounded to head to the third.

Saved by the bell!? 🤯

🇧🇷 Barcelos teeing off at the end of the round! #UFCVegas13 pic.twitter.com/jXwkLgDbHl

— UFC (@ufc) November 8, 2020

Taha started the round looking like someone who knew he needed a finish. That aggression quickly faded though as he ate another calf kick and then was taken to the mat. Barcelos worked to the back and controlled Taha against the cage, looking for the choke. He managed to turn and face Barcelos, but took plenty of shots on the mat. A brief leg lock threat allowed Taha to work to his feet with just less than half the round to go. Barcelos looked gassed as the time runs down. Both snapped the other’s head back a couple of times as the clock ran out.

Raoni Barcelos def. Khalid Taha by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)

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Giga Chikadze was the biggest favorite at UFC Vegas 13 and looked to continue his win streak against debuting opponent Jamey Simmons. Chikadze is an excellent kickboxer, owning a win over former GLORY Kickboxing champion Serhiy Adamchuk. Those skills have transitioned to MMA, owning an 11-2 record and six knockouts with a 4-0 record in the UFC heading into the event.

Simmons earned his shot at the big stage on the heels of a three-fight win streak. Heading into the fight, Simmons had a 7-2 record with four knockouts and a submission.

Chikadze started the contest by faking a run at Simmons and proceeded to feel out his opponent. He swung a quick head kick around, but Simmons avoided it then shot for a takedown. Chikadze avoided it with ease, which was not a good sign for the debuting fighter. A body kick landed for Chikadze, forcing Simmons to clinch up with him. Chikadze stayed on his feet against the cage, resisting several body lock throws then bringing Simmons down briefly himself. Another failed takedown came from Simmons and Chikadze reset. A body kick slammed home for Chikadze that visibly stung Simmons. He took a step forward and was greeted by a gorgeous head kick that knocked him down. A few more punches came in from Chikadze for good measure and the fight was over.

THE GIGA KICK 😱

🇬🇪 @Giga_Chikadze lands the precise head kick on his way to the finish!

[ #UFCVegas13 – LIVE on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/r8l0e5X2BB

— UFC (@ufc) November 8, 2020

The win made the Rafael Cordeiro-trained Chikadze a perfect 5-0 in the UFC since signing with the promotion last year. After the fight, he talked to Dana White, asking for a co-main event slot to showcase his skills. He’s made a name for himself, tying Kevin Holland with the most wins in 2020 with four and also called out Jeremy Stephens afterward.

Giga Chikadze def. Jamey Simmons by TKO (Head Kick and Punches) in Round 1 (3:51)

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Opening up the main card of UFC Vegas 13 on Saturday were a pair of strawweights looking to work their way to title contention. Claudia Gadelha had been there before, of course. But with two straight wins under her belt, a big performance might land her back in the conversation.

Her opponent, Yan Xiaonan, would have even more of a claim with a statement victory. The Chinese fighter had won five straight inside the Octagon. What she lacked, aside from simply a finish, was a defining win that would establish her as a real threat to champion Zhang Weili.

The first round kicked off as many expected. Xiaonan landing the bulk of the strikes with Gadelha looking for bigger strikes and a takedown. About a minute in, Gadelha scores that takedown, but does little with it before Xiaonan got back to her feet. The next few minutes would take place against the cage as Gadelha pressed against Xiaonan. Xiaonan landed more knees in that clinch, and the exchange would end with a referee separation. Gadelha landed another takedown with little time left, but again the only strikes landing were from Xiaonan off her back.

At the beginning of the second round, it was all Xioanan with the combinations. All the grappling appeared to have taken a toll on Gadelha, whereas Xiaonan was looking as fresh as when she started the fight. The jab of Xiaonan was not only landing, but making it seemingly impossible for Gadelha to get close enough to return to the grappling. The volume of Xiaonan was on full display. Gadelha finally got a clinch with just seconds left, but there was no time to do anything with it.

After a couple of jabs from Xiaonan again, the Brazilian was able to close the distance early with a body lock against the cage. This time Xiaonan was able to pummel in and get separation. Xiaonan then went back to what was working with her jab and range highly effective. At roughly the halfway point, Gadelha clinched up again, but after eating some knees, she had the position switched on her. They tussled against the cage for a bit, but the stalemate ends with just under a minute when Jason Herzog recognized nothing was getting done in there. The round ended with Xiaonan’s activity high as she landed a number of combinations to Gadelha.

Yan Xiaonan def. Claudia Gadelha by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)

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After a scary incident earlier this year where his heart reportedly stopped beating momentarily, Trevin Giles returned to action at UFC Vegas 13 on Saturday. A middleweight bout on the event’s preliminary card saw Giles facing off with Contender Series alum Bevon Lewis, with both men looking to put together modest win streaks.

Both men came out firing. After some sloppy strikes, Giles locked in a body lock against the cage and scored a quick takedown. Lewis was back to his feet in no time. He reversed the position for a bit before they separated and Giles repeated the beginning of the fight with a bullrush and a body lock to a brief drop to the mat. After tussling for a bit in the middle of the cage, Lewis was the aggressor with the cage control, but little else. With just seconds to go in the round, they separated and Giles dropped Lewis with a stiff jab. The round ended with him on top.

Set him down! 👊@TrevinGiles lands the late knockdown. #UFCVegas13 pic.twitter.com/HllddNGhTu

— UFC (@ufc) November 8, 2020

The second round started with a more measured approach from each fighter – the tie-ups from the first seemingly altering their plans. After a couple of successful jabs, Giles had Lewis backing up and was threatening him with his back against the cage. Giles’ output in the second clearly waned, but Lewis landed next to nothing throughout the round.

Giles used head movement and jabs were successful again to start the third. A failed takedown attempt from Lewis led to a bit of top control for Giles. Upon returning to the feet, Giles lands some big assorted strikes against the cage and Lewis wilted.

TKO from a barrage of punches! 👊@TrevinGiles closes the prelims with an exclamation point ❗️

[ #UFCVegas13 main card is NEXT on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/Qh0E8YQz7k

— UFC (@ufc) November 8, 2020

Trevin Giles def. Bevon Lewis by TKO (Punches) in Round 3 (1:26)

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Alexander Romanov has the makings of a future heavyweight star and faced Marcos Rogerio de Lima at UFC Vegas 13. He made his UFC debut in September after having three prior fights fall through. Romanov absolutely dominated Roque Martinez that night to make it 12 finishes in 12 fights in his career.

One of the fights for Romanov that was scrapped was one against de Lima and Romanov asked for the Brazilian after the debut victory. De Lima has been with the promotion since 2014, moving up to heavyweight in 2018. He had a 2-1 record at heavyweight heading into the fight and was coming off a win over Ben Sosoli.

Marcos Rogerio de Lima started the fight with a pair of heavy leg kicks, prompting Alexander Romanov to hit a blast double-leg into side control. Romanov wanted an arm-triangle, but de Lima popped out and stood up, hitting Romanov with a left on the way up. The Brazilian landed a combination and avoided a takedown from Romanov. De Lima popped him with another combination and Romanov desperately clinched up. Romanov held de Lima against the fence for over a minute, eventually throwing him down into side control. An escape nearly worked for de Lima, but Romanov transitioned to half guard and blasted de Lima with ground-and-pound. He then placed his forearm on the neck of de Lima and slept him. A brutal finish for Romanov, who made it 13 stoppages in as many fights.

A forearm choke for Moldova's own!

🇲🇩 Alexandr Romanov showcased high level grappling to stay undefeated!

[ #UFCVegas13 continues LIVE on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/VsnFFnrNiV

— UFC (@ufc) November 8, 2020

The forearm choke was the first in UFC history, but the third in the career of Romanov. After the fight, he called for a fight against Marcin Tybura, who was supposed to be the fighter to welcome him to the Octagon earlier this year.

Alexander Romanov def. Marcos Rogerio de Lima by Submission (Forearm Choke) in Round 1 (4:48)

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