Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returned to action earlier today (Weds., Jan. 20, 2021) to stage UFC Fight Island 8 inside Etihad Arena on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The headlining act saw Michael Chiesa smother Neil Magny to earn a unanimous decision win (recap). In the co-main event, Warlley Alves blasted Mounir Lazzez with repeated body kicks to earn a huge win at Welterweight (see it again here).
Biggest Winner: Michael Chiesa
Chiesa continued his ascension up the Welterweight ladder after collecting his fourth straight win in the division, dominating Neil Magny to earn a unanimous decision victory. Though Magny had his moments, Chiesa clearly won the bout in all aspects of the game. But where he really excelled was the grappling department, smothering “The Hattian Sensation” for the majority of the fight with great top control. The win could be enough to get “Maverick” closer to a Top 5 ranking, which means his next fight will be against a bigger name.
Runner Up: Warlley Alves
Alves came out like a man possessed against Lazzez, eventually blasting him with not one, not two but three straight kicks to the body, forcing him to crumble to the canvas in pain in the very first round. From there, Alves pounced on his wounded foe and delivered some ground-and-pound to force the first-round stoppage. The victory gives the Brazilian bomber his first win in 15 months, and it also gave him the confidence to call out Nick Diaz. While that fight is highly-unlikely to ever happen, Alves can breathe easier knowing he is once again back in the win column.
Biggest Loser: Vinicius Moreira
After coming into the UFC ranks with a five-fight win streak, Moreira has looked like a shell of his former self. Making his UFC debut in 2019 after making a splash on the “Contender Series,” the man they call “Mamute” has yet to find the winner’s circle inside the Octagon, losing all four of his UFC fights via stoppage. His latest defeat came at the hands of Isaac Villanueva, who absolutely obliterated the Brazilian bruiser with a devastating right hand, knocking him out with a single punch. After four straight losses, I don’t foresee UFC keeping Moreira around much longer.
For complete UFC Fight Island 8: “Chiesa vs. Magny” results and live play-by-play updates click here.