UFC 218 popped off tonight (Saturday, December 2, 2017) from the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The headliner was a championship rematch from new titlist Max Holloway and featherweight GOAT Jose Aldo. Holloway took care of business again, TKO’ing Aldo in the third round once more. Aldo utilized his trademark leg kicks slightly more this time around, but Holloway was unfazed and ratcheted up his pace until he drowned Aldo. The Brazilian had his moments and at times showed off gorgeous head movement, but he could not slow the “Blessed” freight train.
The co-headliner pit rising heavyweight star Francis Ngannou against former K-1, DREAM, and Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem in a number-one contender matchup. Ngannou stamped his ticket to a title shot in crushing fashion, deading Overeem with one left uppercut after stuffing a takedown.
And maybe the most anticipated fight of the night, between Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje, delivered the non-stop violence we were all hoping for. The fighters did not rock each other again and again, but instead stood toe-to-toe, nearly forehead-to-forehead for the duration. Alvarez hammered the body and head with multi-punch salvos while Gaethje tore into his lead leg. Alvarez ended the spirited war in the third with a sudden knee strike to the face, his body work seeming to wear Gaethje down.
See how Twitter reacted to these explosive bouts below:
MAX HOLLOWAY GOD
— GFKonMMA (@GFKonMMA) December 3, 2017
Good luck tonight to @BlessedMMA! #maxibaby #allmax #blessedera #hawaiistandup pic.twitter.com/9ESn2JHQ6z
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 3, 2017
I've got Holloway. How about you guys?
— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) December 3, 2017
I usually love chaos, so logic dictates Jose Aldo wins.
But I like Max Holloway. I'm not rooting against Aldo, just for Holloway.
A good fight would be the best possible outcome no matter which way it goes.
— Suzanne Davis (@SoozieCuzie) December 3, 2017
It is what it is.
— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) December 3, 2017
Max Holloway's ties never fail to impress. They look snazzy and they keep you safe if you have to cross a busy street after dark.
— Chad Dundas (@chaddundas) December 3, 2017
Man… poor Jose. He just can't match Holloway's pace. A nightmare matchup for him, because no matter how brilliant he looks, Max gets him eventually.
— Connor Ruebusch (@BoxingBusch) December 3, 2017
IT IS WHAT IT IS#UFC218 pic.twitter.com/OF7oRMtoqz
— Wesley Riddle (@AllThatMMA) December 3, 2017
MAX HOLLOWAY #ANDSTILL pic.twitter.com/Y4TZNPp3sL
— Alex Scaffidi (@alex_scaffidi) December 3, 2017
Max Holloway is one of the fighters forming the vanguard of elite talent.
Aldo had two tries at Holloway and was stopped both times. Not even Conor McGregor can claim that prize.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) December 3, 2017
A live look at #MiniBlessed.@BlessedMMA #UFC218 pic.twitter.com/ErmL7wvK8Y
— UFC (@ufc) December 3, 2017
Another fucking war, wow! Congrats brother!!!! @BlessedMMA #UFC218 pic.twitter.com/r4y1Evxz45
— BossLogic (@Bosslogic) December 3, 2017
I don't care. Jose Aldo is tough as fuck. Period.
— Duane Finley (@DuaneFinleyMMA) December 3, 2017
Always BLESSED!! Max ICES Jose!!
pic.twitter.com/Q9HOsWlTli #UFC218 #UFCDetroit #UFC— McDuckMMA (@McDuckMMA) December 3, 2017
this man called the whole fedderweight division cupcakes tho
— GFKonMMA (@GFKonMMA) December 3, 2017
Aldo threw his leg kicks this time, but he needed more than that. Max still manipulated him into a fight he had very little chance of winning. Aldo just can't see the big picture in his fights.
— Connor Ruebusch (@BoxingBusch) December 3, 2017
If Edgar can’t beat Holloway, and I don’t think he will, I don’t know who beats him. He’s a disaster for the whole division stylistically. #UFC218
— David Bixenspan (@davidbix) December 3, 2017
#UFC218: Blessed pic.twitter.com/YWONq9Mczd
— MiddleEasy (@MiddleEasy) December 3, 2017
i'm split between wanting ngannou to blarp reem and kinda believing that reem beats ngannou because this is mma, we aren't allowed to have nice things
— Leg Kickin Tacos (@LegKickTKO) December 3, 2017
Crazy to think Francis N'Gannou started his MMA career only 4 years ago. While Alistair Overeem is nearly a 20 year veteran of the sport. #UFC218
— Alex Scaffidi (@alex_scaffidi) December 3, 2017
Ngannou is going to punch him into the upside down.
— Chris Wade (@CWadeMMA) December 3, 2017
If Overeem's glass jaw gets touched by N'Gannou(sp?) it'll probably shatter. #UFC218
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) December 3, 2017
Demolition Man is still Top 5 nicknames in MMA for me. #UFC218
— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) December 3, 2017
This is like that stupid Terminator sequel where the old Terminator went back to fight the young Terminator.
— Connor Ruebusch (@BoxingBusch) December 3, 2017
Ngannou vs. Overeem. #UFC218 pic.twitter.com/sHS5MQjngM
— Bleacher Report MMA (@BR_MMA) December 3, 2017
Did he go off his fucking feet?? My fucking god
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 3, 2017
What A Crazy Knockout!!!
@francis_ngannou #UFCDetroit pic.twitter.com/c7tw2fgoBS
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) December 3, 2017
Stipe is fooked. #UFC218
— #HalfTheBattle (@BestFightPicks) December 3, 2017
Francis 'Death Touch' Ngannou
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) December 3, 2017
I think we just witnessed the first death in the octagon #UFC218
— MMA GIFS (@mma_gifs_) December 3, 2017
Hope the ambulances are back in the building from Oliveira, Medeiros.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) December 3, 2017
Reem should retire. He has double-digit KOs and just died for a bit there.
— Derek (@ricketyoldshack) December 3, 2017
Out cold.#UFC218 pic.twitter.com/PLoyE42JhA
— UFC India (@UFCIndia) December 3, 2017
That KO just got added to my fight spank bank. Pure, unadulterated, nasty as fuck violence. #UFC218 #NgannouOvereem
— Stephie Haynes (@CrooklynMMA) December 3, 2017
WOW! #UFC218 pic.twitter.com/3zPhqlGhgW
— Fancy Combat (@FancyCombat) December 3, 2017
Knowing @stipemiocicufc he’s licking his chops. For as dominant as Francis has looked, the chance to stop him intrigues a guy like Miocic. When I left Cleveland the last Stipe told me was, u can put King Kong out there and he couldn’t beat me.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 3, 2017
King Kong would get merk’d by Francis
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) December 3, 2017
— RJ Clifford (@RJcliffordMMA) December 3, 2017
Gaethje vs. Alvarez is next.
Jesus, take the wheel. pic.twitter.com/oGC5gjgEpD
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) December 3, 2017
I'd like to see Ed Alvarez turn heel right now by shooting for a takedown immediately and then doing nothing but wrestling
— Jeremy Botter (@jeremybotter) December 3, 2017
Oh, Justin Gaethje vs. Eddie Alvarez about to fight? #UFC218 pic.twitter.com/R3r25byH0P
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) December 3, 2017
OMG!!! Eddie vs. Justin is now! #ufc218 pic.twitter.com/X4Dp4lsuta
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) December 3, 2017
One of his coaches should just drop Eddie Alvarez with a shot before the fight so he starts a little faster.
— Tim B (@TB_Money) December 3, 2017
Soon. #UFC218 pic.twitter.com/xYEzLKihFx
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 2, 2017
EDDIE ALVAREZ VS JUSTIN GAETHJE IS ABOUT TO GO DOWN!!!!!! #UFC218 pic.twitter.com/wGyDyEqZRB
— Alex Scaffidi (@alex_scaffidi) December 3, 2017
Alvarez's jab is totally brilliant tonight. Almost as brilliant as his body work. He's just looking sharp, in general, and Gaethje is slowing down. But Gaethje has a special ability to fight through fatigue. He's still in this.
— Connor Ruebusch (@BoxingBusch) December 3, 2017
Please @ufc make @NateDiaz209 and @Justin_Gaethje happen!
— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) December 3, 2017
Eddie Alvarez. One of the best lightweights to ever do it.
He, too, gave a piece of himself tonight. Absolutely *battered* and held on.
Equal parts smarts and guts. Underground King, y'all.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) December 3, 2017
Wow fucking @Ealvarezfight!!!
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) December 3, 2017
Why is Eddie Alvarez allowed to smuggle food for the entire winter in his cheeks, but Benson Henderson wasn't allowed a single toothpick?#UFC218
— Iain Kidd (@iainkidd) December 3, 2017
This is like when @TheZaneSimon said that Chas Skelly couldn't outdo the OG Darren Elkins at his own game. Justin Gaethje just ran face-first into the original.
— Connor Ruebusch (@BoxingBusch) December 3, 2017
America's Most Violent is Eddie Alvarez. My God. A knee from hell in the middle of the cage, on one leg. I can't believe it.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) December 3, 2017
DUSTIN POIRIER VS EDDIE ALVAREZ HAS TO BE NEXT!!!!!
— Alex Scaffidi (@alex_scaffidi) December 3, 2017
The Underground King. #UFC218
— #HalfTheBattle (@BestFightPicks) December 3, 2017
THIS KIDS PHILADELPHIA YOU DUMB MOTHAFUCKAS
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 3, 2017
They promised us a war.
They gave us a war. #UFC218 pic.twitter.com/8XspT3v9tG
— UFC (@ufc) December 3, 2017
#UFC218 pic.twitter.com/vMwRhkJCRu
— Fancy Combat (@FancyCombat) December 3, 2017
He met his equal…gaethje asked for it and got it
— schwan humes (@blakjordanbreen) December 3, 2017
Gaethje takes the L but gets to go home with his face still firmly attached to his skull, more than I can say about Alvarez
— smoogy (@smoogymma) December 3, 2017
"Eddie, tell us about the shots to the body."
"Bmrmlllurmble bdymiirble bllpheft." pic.twitter.com/EvaRzk1PPP
— Suzanne Davis (@SoozieCuzie) December 3, 2017
This Needs to happen tonight! #UFC218
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) December 3, 2017
Whip out that Check book @danawhite Pay both @ymedeiros and Alex Olivera and @Ealvarezfight and @Justin_Gaethje. 50k to all 4 of ya!!!!!
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 3, 2017
Sweet Jesus. Whatever those guys get paid is not going to be remotely close to enough.
— Ryan Hall (@ryanhall5050) December 3, 2017
Respect where it's due. Congratulations Edward! Great fight!
Now come get this work again!@Ealvarezfight @ufc— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) December 3, 2017
The post Twitter Reacts To Insane UFC 218 appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.