Yet as is often the case with overlooked UFC events, UFC Vegas 29 punched above its weight class. A number of exciting finishes and a couple of barn-burners that went the distance made the show far more entertaining than it looked on paper.

One of those aforementioned barn-burners scooped up Fight of the Night honors. In a rematch of their 2016 meeting, which Grant won, Marlon Vera and Davey Grant got into a three-round bloodbath Saturday night. Both gave as good as they got, but it was a Vera elbow opening up a nasty cut on Grant that seemed to shift momentum. While Grant would continue to have his moments, he appeared outclassed on the ground, and although things were more even on the feet, Vera’s elbows and knees gave him the edge he needed to take home the victory in the end.

Performance of the Night bonuses at UFC Vegas 29 went to Matt Brown and Seung Woo Choi. Brown, opening up the main card against Dhiego Lima, absolutely flattened the Brazilian in the second round. The walk-off KO came care of a right hand in a fight that had been close, but was arguably leaning in favor of Lima to that point. At 40, Brown is starting to live up to his “The Immortal” nickname.

Choi, meanwhile, made quick work of Julian Erosa, needing just 97 seconds to score a TKO win over “Juicy J.” The loss was Erosa’s first since returning to the UFC last year. For his part, extended his win streak to three.

All four bonus-winning fighters will see an extra $50,000 for their efforts.

The post UFC Vegas 29 Bonuses: Vera, Grant Earn Fight of the Night appeared first on Cageside Press.

Dan Ige clearly saw the value in a name opponent like The Korean Zombie, and wanted to prove that no matter where the fight goes, he is a tough, durable competitor. With the call out of Chan Sung Jung, he looked ready to show that he is a hungry contender in the hunt for UFC gold.

Chan Sung Jung meanwhile is no doubt looking to make up for lost time. That, after being away from the Octagon for four years while in serving in the South Korean military. After a setback in a loss to Brian Ortega, The Korean Zombie was looking to get back to his winning ways at UFC Vegas 29. Where he could capitalize on a rising star like Dan Ige to get him into a title contention, after coming so close back at UFC 163 where he was defeated by Jose Aldo.

In the end, it was Zombie getting his hand raised at UFC Vegas 29. It was a very tactical win from The Korean Zombie as he used his veteran wisdom to grind out a five round victory over a tough Dan Ige, keeping his ranking in the top five intact. Zombie threw hard leather on the feet but more importantly, timed his takedowns perfectly, and it wasn’t until the final round that Ige really got going.

PROS GIVE THEIR TAKE

Here is how the pros reacted to the UFC Vegas 29 main event.

Win or Lose @Dynamitedan808 is a warrior. Hard fought. Keep your head high Hawaiian. #UFCVegas29

— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) June 20, 2021

Warpaint! #UFCVegas29

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 20, 2021

Dan Ige has to be in the runnings for CMF (Classiest … you know the rest) 😂 #UFCVegas29

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) June 20, 2021

Big W for the Korean Zombie. Gotta still be in the title mix. Would love to see him fight Max!! #UFCVegas29

— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) June 20, 2021

Cruz been having a hard time pronouncing names correctly all night lol

— Vince Morales (@vandetta135) June 20, 2021

Great main event great card now time for playoff basketball

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 20, 2021

I hate how @espn mutes the cuss words. We are all grown ups paying for our subscription. #UFCVegas29

— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) June 20, 2021

What a night for the Korean zombie, #ufc

— Carlston Harris Moçambique (@carlstonMMA) June 20, 2021

The post The Pro Take: The Korean Zombie Grinds Out a Victory at UFC Vegas 29 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Zombie, years removed from his title challenge against Jose Aldo, was looking to make one last run at the belt — making a win over Ige crucial, as he had dropped a potential title eliminator last year against Brian Ortega.

Ige, for his part, had bounced back from a loss last year to Calvin Kattar by making short work of Gavin Tucker back in March.

Cue The Cranberries 🧟‍♂️#UFCVegas29 on ESPN2 & @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/ICa6d3aqVe

— UFC (@ufc) June 20, 2021

The Korean Zombie is always must-see TV, and Ige had quickly graduated from Contender Series winner to legitimate featherweight threat. That left their main event scrap with a lot of promise. When the action got underway, it was Ige holding center initially, at least until Zombie went on the offensive. Ige then moved to the outside, using his jab and throwing a few shots to the body in for good measure. Zombie fired a low kick, and closed the distance, but Ige easily fought out of the clinch.

Zombie’s next level change, however, would result in a takedown landed. The South Korean moved to half guard, but trying to pass to mount, instead found himself back in guard. Ige then looked for an arm-bar, and briefly pushed Zombie off of him. Zombie got back on top, but lost position in a scramble that led to the pair moving back to their feet.

Zombie clipped Ige almost immediately in the second round, dropping him. Ige was right back to his feet, but the message had been sent. The early minutes of the second saw a lot of success from Zombie, who seemed to have found his range. As a result, he was putting a little more into his punches.

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1406424643188133892

Ige, having recovered from the knockdown, opted to shoot for a takedown after trading with Zombie failed to produce the desired result. He couldn’t complete the attempt, but threw a few knees to the thigh of Zombie. Back at range, Ige sent Zombie reeling with a hard calf kick. An accidental headbutt opened up a cut on Zombie, something that could play a factor later in the fight. They’d go to the ground again, but it was Zombie taking the back and securing a body triangle. He’d finish the round there.

Round three opened with a Zombie leg kick, with Ige answering with his hands. Zombie then dropped for a takedown; the Hawaiian was soon flat on his back. Once again, Zombie took the back; once again, he locked in a body triangle. Ige then had to content with a rear-naked choke, fighting the hands. There was still over two minutes remaining in the third round, however. Ige spent the remainder of the round just trying to improve his position and turn out of the body triangle, with little success.

Entering round four, the best Dan Ige could have hoped for was maybe having won the opening round on the scorecards. More likely was a 30-27 Zombie score, meaning Ige would need to find a way to win in the final two stanzas.

Through the first two minutes of round four, Ige at least stayed standing, and even managed to back Zombie up to the fence. But when Zombie went on the attack, punctuating a combination with a kick, he was having more success. Landing more. Ige’s next attack was countered, and his next. When Ige fanned, Zombie connected. Ige’s movement and angles made the round more competitive, but he wound up getting overly aggressive towards the end of the frame — which led to a body kick being caught, and Ige being planted on his back.

By the time round five rolled around on Saturday, there was zero question that Dan Ige needed a finish. Not impossible — just ask Yair Rodriguez. But Zombie had not shown any cracks in the armour through four rounds. Ige, however, began to target the body in the fifth, which seemed to hurt Zombie. Zombie tried to take the back, but was too high. Ige was able to fight off the next takedown attempt. Ige then drove Zombie into the fence, locking in a body lock. Zombie turned, eventually separating. Ige’s corner was hollering at their fighter to get going, but it was Zombie landing a knee then taking the back. With a body triangle once again locked in, the end result felt inevitable. The only real question was, submission or decision?

Official Result: The Korean Zombie def. Dan Ige by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)

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That made Spivak a virtual baby in comparison.

It was Oleinik who opened things up with a leg kick, pressing forward. He looked to change levels, then thought better of it, closed the distance, and pressed Spivak against the fence. Spivak fought that off, with the pair moving back to center. A quick exchange followed, both men landing. More exchanges would follow, and while Oleinik had some success, Spivak was having more. He was also able to fight off all of Oleinik’s clinches. That resulted in Oleinik firing some big overhands, hunting a knockout in lieu of taking the fight down. He’d punch into another clinch, but Spivak escaped once more. Finally, with a minute to go, Oleinik dragged his opponent down and got hooks in. Oleinik transitioned to mount, but after a scarf-hold choke failed, he had to settle for an elbow and a few punches to the body.

Spivak was firing early in the second, but Oleinik answered back. He caught Spivak with a jab closing the distance, but was soon back to firing wild overhands. Oleinik then pulled Spivak down on top of him, tying up his opponent’s arms. Spivak tried to work in ground n’ pound, and finally managed to land some significant elbows, opening up a cut on Oleinik. Spivak then attempted an anaconda choke, but that allowed Oleinik to mount, and finish the round with another choke attempt.

After ten minutes, Oleinik was looking exhausted. He started the round with a few exchanges, Spivak getting the better of them. One of those exchanges opened a cut on the side of Oleinik’s head. He’d back Oleinik up against the fence, landing a few shots as Oleinik covered up. But Oleinik would shoot for a takedown soon after. When he couldn’t complete it, he ate several shots, but managed to survive, landed an elbow in the clinch, and went for a takedown again. Which Spivak fought off. Oleinik started to have some success with his punches, catching Spivak more than once. In the next takedown attempt, it was Spivak getting on top. He’d ride out the round there, Oleinik bloody, Spivak victorious.

Fighting smart and winning key positional battles helped Spivak get the win, and at 26, he has lots of time to develop.

Official Result: Sergey Spivak def. Aleksei Oleinik by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

The post UFC Vegas 29 Results: Sergey Spivak Fights Smart Fight, Avoids Aleksei Oleinik’s Submissions appeared first on Cageside Press.

The bantamweight pairing found both fighters looking to follow-up recent successes. Grant, in particular, was finally firing on all cylinders, having put together back-to-back Performance of the Night bonus-winning victories. And while Vera was coming off a loss, it was a decision to former featherweight champ Jose Aldo — just one fight removed from his win over Sean O’Malley.

In the opening round, Chito Vera looked calm, working his jab to keep Grant at range. Grant was game, throwing hooks to get around Vera’s guard, attacking from angles, and going body-head in his combinations. With two minutes remaining, Vera planted Grant on his back, marking the first trip to the ground of the fight. They wouldn’t stay there long, and finished the round on the feet, with a Davey Grant spinning kick and a couple of brief exchanges.

More than anything, Vera had found success with his leg kick in the opening frame. Grant’s lead leg was showing some wear and tear by the time the second round got underway as a result. In the second, then went right back at it, but it was a Vera elbow on Grant near the three-minute mark that really stole the show. That elbow split Grant open like a ripe melon. He’d fire back, and later try a spinning attack. They’d wind up in a clinch by the fence, then go to the floor, with Grant getting on top. Vera, who should have been taking over thanks to that nasty elbow, was instead fighting off Grant. The British fighter would eat up a fair amount of time on top, until Vera used his submission game to create an opening to scramble on top. There wasn’t enough time left in the round to make anything happen, however.

Grant shot for a takedown early in the third, but Vera sprawled to stuff the attempt. He transitioned to the back, got hooks in, and flattened out his opponent. He didn’t quite have the submission, but Grant had nowhere to go. Instead, Vera wound up transitioning to mount. Somehow, Grant survived, grabbed a leg, and made it back up. On the feet, Grant connected with two or three solid punches, while Vera fired elbows and knees down the middle. After taking a few of those, Grant looked hurt, and covered up as Vera worked him over. They’d go back to the ground with half the round still remaining, Grant’s face a bloody mess.

From side control, Vera began dropping elbows, looking to end the fight. Grant, looking like a horror movie prop, managed to survive. Vera wound up back in guard, still scoring damage whenever possible. Grant then looked for a kimura, perhaps to sweep. He’d manage to get to his knees, but Vera put him back on the canvas — or Grant was simply too exhausted.  Then, Vera too the back and locked in a nasty-looking rear-naked choke. Just when it looked like the finish was secure, Grant managed to create enough space to stay conscious — and they’d head to the judges.

Vera pouring it on!! 💥#UFCVegas29 pic.twitter.com/0ErSbg3DEu

— UFC (@ufc) June 20, 2021

In a bout with Fight of the Night written all over it, there were no losers (except on the scorecards, of course, but hey, someone was bound to get the nod). Vera took the win in the end, a well-deserved victory even if scores were all over the map.

Official Result: Marlon Vera def. Davey Grant by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-26)

The post UFC Vegas 29 Results: Marlon Vera Bests Davey Grant in Firefight appeared first on Cageside Press.

The women’s strawweight affair featured two former Invicta FC champions going head-to-head Saturday night. And from the outset, the momentum was firmly in Jandiroba’s favor. The Brazilian was hot out of the gate, finding success with her right hand and backing Murata up to the cage. Jandiroba was the bigger fighter, the stronger fighter, and dominated in all aspects of the fight. Japan’s Murata appeared gun shy (and who could blame her), and ate a number of heavy strikes, not to mention a head kick later in the fight.

After an arm-bar submission in the opening round, in which Jandiroba pulled guard, Murata’s left arm was also badly compromised. Enough so that, at the end of the second, the doctor took a closer look — and put an end to the fight.

Not that it mattered in the end, but incredulously, judge Adelaide Byrd awarded the dominant first round for Jandiroba to Murata — giving the Japanese fighter a 10-9 score.

The two remaining judges awarded the round to Jandiroba.

Byrd’s name being attached to a controversial score is nothing new. The longtime boxing judge has been called one of the most controversial in the sport’s history. Her scorecard in the Canelo vs. GGG boxing mega-bout certainly elicited some strong reactions. And on the MMA side of things, well, she hasn’t fared much better.

So, chalk this one up to another case of Byrd being outstandingly bad at her job. At least it didn’t impact the fight, unlike the non-call on multiple fence grabs in Aleksa Camur vs. Nicolae Negumereanu.

The post Good Thing It Ended Early: Check Out the Jandiroba vs. Murata Scorecard from UFC Vegas 29 appeared first on Cageside Press.

On paper, this fight had fireworks written all over it and it sure delivered for as long as it lasted.

Both fighters took the center of the octagon and Choi threw a hard right hand. Choi landed two very crisp right hands and Erosa ate it. Erosa threw a right hand back. Choi blocked Erosa’s high kick. Choi threw a right hand, followed by a left hook that dropped Erosa. Choi pounced on him immediately and put him away, causing referee Mark Smith to halt the fight.

STING with the KO win! 💥 #UFCVegas29 pic.twitter.com/0yLVt0O32v

— UFC (@ufc) June 20, 2021

The win was nothing less than a very impressive performance by Choi. After losing his first two UFC fights, Choi is now riding a three-fight win streak with wins over Suman Mokhtarian, Youssef Zalal, and now Erosa. A big fight will likely be coming his way next.

Erosa had his three-fight winning streak snapped and lost for the first time since returning to the UFC.

Official Result: Seung Woo Choi defeated Julian Erosa by TKO (punches), Round 1, 1:37

The post UFC Vegas 29 Results: Seung Woo Choi Knocks Out Julian Erosa In Round One appeared first on Cageside Press.

In what was simply a dominant performance, Silva, a.k.a. “Blindado,” sparked his opponent in the opening round.

Turman shot in on a single leg early in the fight, and turned towards the back of Silva. Turman did dump Siliva to the mat and jumped on his opponent’s back, but Silva immediately escaped and took control. Brazil’s Turman got right on the back again and kept dumping Silva to the mat briefly. Turman even jumped on the back standing but Silva escaped out of the back door. That allowed him to get on top. With roughly a minute left in the round, Silva began unloading with some nasty ground and pound from the guard. Silva, with only seconds left, landed five huge ground punches putting Turman out cold.

Heavy ground shots for the finish 😤#UFCVegas29 LIVE on ESPN2 & @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/YBVZAYVsxU

— UFC (@ufc) June 19, 2021

A clearly elated Silva celebrated the victory by hoisting his coach in the air. Quite the introduction for the Brazilian middleweight.

Official Result: Bruno Silva def. Wellington Turman by knockout, Round 1, 4:45

The post UFC Vegas 29 Results: Bruno Silva Renders Wellington Turman Unconscious Within a Round appeared first on Cageside Press.

Lima, brother of two-time former Bellator MMA welterweight champ Douglas Lima, was circling early. Brown, who probably hasn’t taken a backwards step in his life, pressed forward. He’d go to the body with a kick when he was able to close the distance, throwing the kick off a punch. Brown went to the body, but ate a nasty leg kick from Lima. Rather than check the kick, Brown fired an even harder kick back in return. Lima’s kicks were adding up, however, not surprising as the Lima brothers were well-known for them.

The second round saw Lima tying things up along the fence. Brown easily fought off the takedown, then caught Lima with a left hand. Lima fired another kick to Brown’s lead leg; he’d shoot for another takedown, but Brown hopped back to the fence and stayed upright. Brown was still pressing forward, but Lima’s kicks were piling up — right up until Brown put his opponent down with a right hand. Lima, who had fired one of his own, missed as Brown ducked it. Brown did not, and Lima wound up face-planting.

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1406392530875437061

“Not bad for 40,” Brown exclaimed following the fight.

Official Result: Matt Brown def. Dhiego Lima by knockout, Round 2, 3:02

The post UFC Vegas 29 Results: Matt Brown Leaves Dhiego Lima Face Down appeared first on Cageside Press.

It was Negumereanu getting the nod in this one, but not without controversy care of a number of unpunished fence grabs.

No glove touch for the two fighters in this one. Camur landed a heavy jab to start the fight. Negumereanu missed a right hand and left after that. Camur landed a calf kick but then countered with a hook that got his opponent’s attention. Camur landed a left hook that snapped Negumereanu’s head back, followed by a 1-2. Negumereanu landed a punch that really hurt Camur, but Camur clinched immediately. Negumereanu landed a takedown with a little more than two minutes left in the round. Negumereanu tried for a hip toss as Camur got to his feet, but couldn’t land it. One minute left, and Camur landed three jabs back to back to back. Negumereanu ate an uppercut and kept marching Camur down. Camur landed a knee to end the round.

Negumereanu took the center of the octagon to start round two and landed a punch that stung Camur. Camur landed a 1-2 followed by a hook, but Negumereanu ate it and walked forward. Negumereanu put Camur against the fence for a good three minutes. Camur eventually got free and started punching Negumereanu’s body. The problem being, much of that control time for Negumereanu came care of him utilizing the fence. While ref Mike Beltran did warn the fighter, nothing more than that warning was forthcoming. Back in the open, Negumereanu landed a hook, and Camur landed one back. Negumereanu landed a left hook to end round two.

Negumereanu let out a scream to start round three. Camur missed on a front kick. Negumereanu landed a right hand and continued to walk down Camur. Negumereanu hit Camur below the belt, which halted the action. Camur tried for a takedown but failed. Negumereanu threw two hooks but missed. Camur landed a left hook himself, followed by a jab. A little over two minutes left in the fight, and Negumereanu stuffed another takedown. Negumereanu put Camur against the fence. Once again, there was a fence grab. Mike Beltran stopped the fight and gave Negumereanu a stern warning for grabbing the fence multiple times. with little more than ten seconds remaining, Camur landed a 1-2. It wasn’t enough.

In the end, Nicolae Negumereanu got back into the win column while Camur dropped his second fight in a row. Had the multiple fence grabs been penalized, the outcome would have looked considerably different.

Official Result: Nicolae Negumereanu defeated Aleksa Camur by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

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