While it wasn’t necessarily loaded with tons of pre-fight bad blood or hype (although it most likely should have been) tonight’s (Sat., December 2, 2017) UFC 218 in the rearview mirror from the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. In the main event, surging young featherweight champion Max Holloway took on decorated longtime former champion Jose […]
While it wasn’t necessarily loaded with tons of pre-fight bad blood or hype (although it most likely should have been) tonight’s (Sat., December 2, 2017) UFC 218 in the rearview mirror from the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
In the main event, surging young featherweight champion Max Holloway took on decorated longtime former champion Jose Aldo in a rematch of their UFC 212 meeting which “Blessed” won by impressive third-round TKO. The surging Hawaiian champ repeated that feat by finishing the all-time great by TKO in the third round yet again.
The co-main event saw a passing of the guard at heavyweight when longtime top contender and former Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem was knocked out stiff by hyped up-and-coming force of nature Francis Ngannou.
Finally, the main card saw another hyped rising contender in Justin Gaethje meet another former champion when he locked horns with Eddie Alvarez in a fight that was many fans and media members’ pick for a potential “Fight of the Year,” praise it did not fail to live up to when “The Underground King” stopped Gaethje in the third round of a war. There’s a lot to unpack and digest after a pay-per-view (PPV) event of such impact, so join us for the event’s post-fight press conference live after the main card right here:
Jose Aldo fought hard, but fell short again against Max Holloway. The stage was set for the main event of UFC 218. Holloway put his featherweight gold on the line against Aldo in a title rematch. The action took place inside Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Holloway had a measured approach early in the bout. […]
Jose Aldo fought hard, but fell short again against Max Holloway.
The stage was set for the main event of UFC 218. Holloway put his featherweight gold on the line against Aldo in a title rematch. The action took place inside Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
Holloway had a measured approach early in the bout. He fired off a combination, but it was blocked. Aldo fired off a couple of leg kicks. They tied up and Aldo landed a knee to the body.
Holloway connected with a few jabs. Holloway appeared more patient than his opponent. He went high with a kick, but it was blocked. The jab kept finding a home for Holloway as the round came to a close. Aldo connected with an uppercut before the horn.
Right away, Holloway went to the jabs in round two. Aldo fired off a leg kick. Aldo connected with a right hand. He later landed two more leg kicks that caught the champion’s attention. A spinning back kick to the body found the mark for Holloway. He landed a one-two and they fired leather near the end of round two.
Aldo returned to the leg kicks early in the third frame. An elbow on the clinch break was there for Aldo. A knee to the body connected for Holloway. “Blessed” fired off a combination and Aldo returned fire.
Holloway began to land a series of strikes. Aldo landed an overhand right. The champion poured it on and landed a knee to the body. Aldo kept fighting back despite being peppered with shots and fading. Holloway stuffed a takedown attempt and gained top control. Blood poured down the face of Aldo. Referee Herb Dean had seen enough.
Final Result: Max Holloway def. Jose Aldo via TKO (strikes) – R3, 4:51
Francis Ngannou took a huge step toward proving he’s the future of the heavyweight division with a first-round knockout victory over Alistair Overeem in the co-main event of UFC 218 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
The Reem came out trying to clinc…
Francis Ngannou took a huge step toward proving he’s the future of the heavyweight division with a first-round knockout victory over Alistair Overeem in the co-main event of UFC 218 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
The Reem came out trying to clinch with Ngannou—a good idea given the incredible power Ngannou possesses. However, the hulking heavyweight was able to flip position and trap Overeem against the cage.
After some stalling against the cage, referee Dan Miragliotta decided to separate the two. That was bad news for Overeem. Ngannou unleashed a massive left hook that instantly turned out the lights and announced himself as one of the most dangerous men in the division.
Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports immediately compared it to a legendary heavyweight knockout:
After the fight, Joe Rogan told Ngannou he would be fighting Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight championship. The Cameroon native didn’t shy away from that challenge:
It certainly is an interesting fight after this result. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto summed up how most are probably feeling about that potential matchup:
The win sets up even bigger and better things for the 31-year-old. Ngannou has experienced a meteoric rise since joining the UFC in December 2015. He’s now 6-0 in the Octagon, and a title shot could be in his future sooner rather than later.
According to Mike Bohn and John Morgan of MMAjunkie, UFC President Dana White has said that the winner of this fight will be the next challenger for current champion Miocic.
Of course, White’s word doesn’t always necessarily mean it’s going to happen, but Ngannou already started campaigning for his title shot before taking on Overeem.
“Stipe took the belt from (Fabricio) Werdum, and that was not a long time ago,” Ngannou said, per Simon Samano and Ken Hathaway of MMAjunkie. “Yes, Werdum deserves, but right now I deserve it more. I win this fight, I will be the legit challenger.”
Ngannou’s rise to the top is one of the best stories in the UFC right now. The Cameroon native has risen from homelessness to UFC prominence thanks to a unique blend of size, athleticism and pure punching power.
He already holds the world record for highest recorded punching power:
Given his look, skills and knack for ending fights, it’s no surprise he’s getting a big push from the promotion. The heavyweight division has been short on new talent for a long time. The top 10 of the division is still marked with names like Werdum, Overeem, Cain Velasquez and Mark Hunt.
Ngannou’s breaking into that tier of heavyweight contenders is exactly what the division needs.
Now all that’s left to see is whether he’s ready to be the champion after just six fights in the UFC. Miocic has become one of just five heavyweight champions to defend the belt twice consecutively. No one has defended it a third time.
Ngannou is hoping he can now become the main to keep that streak alive.
Once UFC 218 has reached its conclusion, you check out the post-fight press conference. The presser takes place inside Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. A tentative time of 1:15 a.m. ET has been set for the press conference. Both Max Holloway …
Once UFC 218 has reached its conclusion, you check out the post-fight press conference. The presser takes place inside Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. A tentative time of 1:15 a.m. ET has been set for the press conference. Both Max Holloway and Jose Aldo are expected to attend the presser if there are no […]
Alistair Overeem’s night ended quickly at the hands of Francis Ngannou. The stage was set for a heavyweight tilt between a veteran combat sports bruiser and a surging power puncher. Overeem vs. Ngannou served as UFC 218’s co-main event. Overeem lunged early with a left hook. He went to the clinch, but Ngannou’s strength held […]
Alistair Overeem’s night ended quickly at the hands of Francis Ngannou.
The stage was set for a heavyweight tilt between a veteran combat sports bruiser and a surging power puncher. Overeem vs. Ngannou served as UFC 218’s co-main event.
Overeem lunged early with a left hook. He went to the clinch, but Ngannou’s strength held up. The action was broken up and they returned standing. Ngannou blasted Overeem with a huge left hand that put him out.
Final Result: Francis Ngannou def. Alistair Overeem via KO (punch) – R1, 1:42
Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez had a war at UFC 218 and Alvarez emerged victorious. The second bout on the main card of UFC 218 featured a lightweight fracas. Gaethje and Alvarez did battle inside Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Gaethje opened up with a leg kick at the start of the fight. A […]
Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez had a war at UFC 218 and Alvarez emerged victorious.
The second bout on the main card of UFC 218 featured a lightweight fracas. Gaethje and Alvarez did battle inside Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
Gaethje opened up with a leg kick at the start of the fight. A right hand was there for Gaethje, while Alvarez connected with an uppercut. “The Highlight” kept going to the leg kicks. Alvarez lost his balance a bit from another stiff leg kick.
Alvarez caught a kick, but couldn’t capitalize. An uppercut landed for Gaethje, who fired back with a left hook. Blood started to trickle down the nose of Gaethje. A left hook was there for Alvarez. A body combination was there for Alvarez. Now blood dripped down the side of Gaethje’s face. The round ended and Alvarez was starting to get in a groove.
Alvarez got the second stanza started with a leg kick. A hook landed for Gaethje. Alvarez responded with a right hand upstairs. Gaethje connected with his own uppercut. He appeared to slow down, but he still landed some shots. Alvarez got in a knee to the body. He followed that up by ripping shots to the body.
Gaethje connected with a right hand over the top. He then landed another leg kick. Alvarez landed a left hand. Gaethje looked for a takedown, but couldn’t get it. He ate a knee near the end of the round.
The two weren’t shy to trade at the start of the final frame. Gaethje chopped away with the left leg kicks. He landed another one and shrugged Alvarez off from a tie-up attempt. A knee to the body found the mark for Alvarez.
Gaethje continued to punish the left leg of his opponent. Alvarez ducked under a punch and briefly took his opponent down. Gaethje quickly got up. Another leg kick was able to bring Alvarez down for a moment. The two looked spent, but still stood active.
A clean uppercut landed for Gaethje. A knee to the jaw knocked Gaethje out. What a fight!
Final Result: Eddie Alvarez def. Justin Gaethje via TKO (knee & strikes) – R3, 3:59
