No Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fights? Don’t trip; there were UFC fighters in grappling action.
Fury Pro Grappling 8 went down last night (Sat., Dec. 30, 2023) inside 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and seven UFC fighters were in action.
In the main event, former Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling took on accomplished grappler Kevin Dantzler in a … strange grappling match. Dantzler is known for dropping to his butt and playing the guard, and that is precisely what he did for ten minutes. Sterling engaged most of the time, but at times, he would try to get Dantzler to stand up, which he did twice but immediately dropped back down.
Dantzler caught Sterling in an armbar; however, Sterling defended by spinning the accomplished grappler like a tornado, eventually dropping him. That was enough to get Dantzler the unanimous decision win.
Check out the highlights below:
Aljamain getting VERY tired of Dantzler’s “offense”#FuryPRO8 pic.twitter.com/Bvv8a8x1Y8
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 31, 2023
Aljamain Sterling made John Morgan a promise and by God he meant it!#FuryPRO8 pic.twitter.com/mtGAEhk0vL
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 31, 2023
Butt scooters beware. Aljamain Sterling doesn’t take too kindly to your gameplan#FuryPRO8 pic.twitter.com/bVX8YZuIfs
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 31, 2023
Aljamain Sterling loses a decision to Kevin Dantzler in Fury Pro Grappling pic.twitter.com/IqSAfTMY6Q
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) December 31, 2023
Aljamain won’t be forgetting this one any time soon#FuryPRO8 pic.twitter.com/Wtjstx5ADE
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 31, 2023
Heavyweights entered the grappling mat in the co-main event as Alexandr Romanov took on Chris Daukaus.
Romanov had his way with Daukaus using his brute strength and weight, winning a decision. While Daukaus used his speed to escape several takedowns and clinch work, Romanov was just too much, even though he was severely tired. The Moldovan Heavyweight even hit a big suplex.
Check out the highlights!
Not where Daukaus wants to be early! Can he fight off that Romanov control?!#FuryPRO8 pic.twitter.com/pLHcjdZnAG
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 31, 2023
Alexandr Romanov suplexes Chris Daukaus!
pic.twitter.com/QZ072NJrRf— MMA Mania (@mmamania) December 31, 2023
The highlight of the card was Pat Sabatini vs. Niko Price. It did not last long (less than four minutes) but ended with Sabatini submitting Price with the rare Suloev Stretch.
Check it out!
FIGHT PASS AWARDS AIR IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS! WHAT THE HELL DO WE DO NOW?!?!? THANKS, PAT SABATINI#FuryPRO8 pic.twitter.com/JKrdOfPkPM
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 31, 2023
Kyle Daukaus took on former opponent Eryk Anders in the featured grappling match, but not much happened, and I have already forgotten all about the match.
Anders won the decision, going 2-0 over Daukaus.
Anders escapes the knot of limbs#FuryPRO8 pic.twitter.com/KFlVZc2rNK
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 31, 2023