‘The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 3’ Finale (also known as UFC Fight Night 98) emanated from the Arena Cuidad de Mexico tonight (November 5, 2016). Fans were treated to a headliner pitting former champion Rafael dos Anjos against the man with the longest active winning streak in the lightweight division, Tony Ferguson.
The fight was a back and forth war.
Dos Anjos took the first, Ferguson claimed the second, and the third was very close, with most observers seeming to give it to the former champion. But over the final two rounds, Ferguson continued to pour on the pressure as dos Anjos faded. The Brazilian wasn’t able to utilize his wrestling and make use of his top game advantage. Stuck on the feet, he continued to eat hard shots from the Ventura, CA, native. In the end, Ferguson was awarded 48-47 scorecards across the board to stake his claim as the number one contender in the lightweight division. He is the first man to ever win nine fights in a row in the UFC at 155 pounds.
The co-main event saw former TUF winner and title challenger Diego Sanchez go to war with Bellator import and leglock specialist Marcin Held. The grizzled veteran Sanchez had too much for Held. ‘The Nightmare’ is clearly no longer at the peak of his powers, but he proved he is still a strong grappler. The Pole had success on the feet but repeatedly chose to try to take the fight to the mat. He didn’t mind fighting off his back in the process, and it proved to be his undoing. Sanchez rode top position and ground and pound to a unanimous decision victory.
Check out Twitter’s reaction to these exciting brawls below:
RDA vs El Cucuy is a gift from the MMA God of war
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) November 6, 2016
These feel like long rounds. 10-9 Ferguson. Much better from him. Accurate and effective. RDA looking beat up around his right eye.
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) November 6, 2016
Okay, Ferg is warmed up now. Pressuring much more and and frustrating the shit out of RDA. Also taking away his jab
— caposa (@GrabakaHitman) November 6, 2016
Oh my, this is a fun fight.#UFCMexico pic.twitter.com/fTfMenF7HJ
— Yellow Power Ranger (@Sugarhigh5me) November 6, 2016
This is a fight right here! #UFCMexico
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 6, 2016
This is an insane pace of offense.
— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) November 6, 2016
155 is so good.
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) November 6, 2016
If T stays southpaw he finishes him in the 3rd….otherwise probably 4th or decision.
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) November 6, 2016
Exciting to watch @TonyFergusonXT ????????????????
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) November 6, 2016
TAKE ONE
GIVE ONE
TAKE ONE
GIVE ONE
This is AWESOME!! #UFCMexico https://t.co/LIh7BphrBM
— #UFCMexico (@ufc) November 6, 2016
Ferguson showing he can fight his fight at this pace in Mexico City is nothing short of heroic.
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) November 6, 2016
Tony Ferguson is playing a video game with life. #UFCMexico
— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) November 6, 2016
#UFCMexico pic.twitter.com/ogbMXrkQHP
— UFC BRASIL (@ufc_brasil) November 6, 2016
Jab cha cha cha ! #UFCMexico
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 6, 2016
Great fight. @TonyFergusonXT is such a savage!
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) November 6, 2016
I don't know what Ferguson has in his chest cavity, but it's certainly not human lungs.
— Fernanda Prates (@NandaPrates_) November 6, 2016
????Give.????That.????Man.????A.????Title.????Shot! #UFCMexico
— Yellow Power Ranger (@Sugarhigh5me) November 6, 2016
Fuuuuuck you. https://t.co/zaa25SbMP3
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) November 6, 2016
Well damn #UFCMexico pic.twitter.com/VqeMUXOaep
— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) November 6, 2016
Hell of a fight by both guys, this is why I came over to the @ufc
— Will Brooks (@TRILLwillbrooks) November 6, 2016
Have to think the coaching change played a role. Would dos Anjos have been so content to play off his back foot with Cordeiro in his ear?
— Patrick Wyman (@Patrick_Wyman) November 6, 2016
— Lando Vannata (@GroovyLando) November 6, 2016
He has risen#UFCMexico pic.twitter.com/kEOEMD3qgo
— JustBleedMMA (@JustBleedMMA) November 6, 2016
GUESS WHO FIGHTS NEXT?! #UFCMexico @DiegoSanchezUFC pic.twitter.com/b4hAvFXSnE
— #UFCMexico (@ufc) November 6, 2016
Did he just crawl up the fucking wall?
— caposa (@GrabakaHitman) November 6, 2016
LIKE A NINJA https://t.co/6ChdAHLtLl
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) November 6, 2016
Sanchez grown-man tossing Held aside to get out of that choke was fucking awesome. #UFCMexico
— Patrick Wyman (@Patrick_Wyman) November 6, 2016
Diego Sanchez with the rare flying submission escape.
— Connor Ruebusch (@BoxingBusch) November 6, 2016
DIEGO SANCHEZ WITH THE… SHOWTIME CHOKE ESCAPE. #UFCMexico
— MiddleEasy (@MiddleEasy) November 6, 2016
Showtime guillotine escape by Diego Sanchez #UFCMexico https://t.co/JdKQY1Bjb6
— MMA GIFS (@mma_gifs_) November 6, 2016
Diego Sanchez used the "Run up the wall and try to do a backflip" choke escape, as seen in every 80s action movie. And it worked.#UFCMexico
— Iain Kidd (@iainkidd) November 6, 2016
Wow! Sanchez showing crazy grit and cage experience over Held, how crazy was that guillotine escape?! #UFCMexico
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) November 6, 2016
It's a wild one but Im enjoying this fight #UFCMexico #thenightmare
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) November 6, 2016
Diego back baby!!! #UFCMexico
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 6, 2016
A wrestler with great cardio and submission defense the the kryptonite for a guy like Marcin. Especially at altitude. Weird booking.
— caposa (@GrabakaHitman) November 6, 2016
How about a round of applause for all the "Professionals" is this sport who have never missed weight or failed a drug test!!! ????????
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) November 4, 2016
The post Twitter Reacts To Ferguson’s Frenetic Win At UFC Mexico appeared first on LowKick MMA.