Holy smokes, what a card! UFC 300 is done and dusted and even though it’s been a full day since the fights, the adrenaline is still pumping. UFC 300 delivered and how. An already stacked card, the night gave us fight fans a series of wars, a GOAT moment and a knockout for the ages. As far as MMA goes, we couldn’t have asked for a better night. Barring the women’s fights, the card was filled with intriguing matchups that delivered in spades. Right from the first fight of the night, we were treated to a barrage of violence and technique that culminated in a stone-faced knockout. Let’s take a deeper look at what went down and how the landscape shifts going forward.
The Blessed is the Best
Max Holloway is a fighter’s fighter. The man has been in the UFC since he was 19 and at the age of 32 is still putting on banger after banger. After knocking out the Korean Zombie in satisfying fashion, he took on the task that many lightweights have refused and signed the contract to fight Justin Gaethje. One of the most devastating lightweights on the planet, Justin Gaethje is not someone to be taken lightly. Fans feared for Max’s safety and thought that this was going to be execution but the Blessed Express took apart The Highlight and in one of the greatest moments in combat sports history, knocked out Gaethje cold in the last second of the 5th round. When Max Holloway hears the 10-second clap and points to the ground, you know you’re in trouble. With this monumental win, Max Holloway is now the BMF champ and as far as this writer goes, should be contending for both the featherweight and lightweight belts in the future.
A stone-faced killer defends his throne
It took just about 3 and a half minutes for Alex Pereira to figure out Jamahal Hill and knock out the former light-heavyweight champion to retain his crown. Poatan showed us why there are levels to this as he dismantled Hill’s defences with a variety of strikes to the body before unleashing his patented left hook to stun his opponent. A few complimentary hammer fists later, Alex Pereira was standing over his fallen foe reenacting a meme. It was a flawless performance from Poatan and the man from the jungles of Brazil is fast becoming one of the most exciting fighters in the sport. In 12 fights, he’s already beaten 5 former UFC champs and if his post-fight interview is any indication, he’s looking to destroy a few heavyweights as well. Hell, give the man what he wants. The more we see of Alex Pereira, the better.
A new challenger emerges
Arman Tsaryukyan might not have set the world on fire, but he did impress all the right people. Matched up with a lethal Charles Olivera, Arman nullified the Brazilian’s offensive striking game and fought his way out of a few deep submissions to secure the split-decision win. Again, he didn’t finish Charles and it was a close fight but Arman did prove that he belongs in the top of the division and should be looking to face the winner of Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier. Given the current timeline, the man from Armenia should be back in action sometime in September-October.
The samurai collects another scalp
Jiri Prochazka is truly an anomaly. After absorbing a vicious leg-kicking attack from Alexander Rakic, the Czech samurai finally found a home for a nuclear right hand that started the downfall. Rakic was fighting the fight of his life in the first round, peppering the former LHW champ with nasty right hands and stinging leg kicks. It looked like Jiri was in trouble as he started switching stances to avoid his right leg being destroyed. But, as fate would have it, he turned it around in the second and after a nasty right hand, delivered some hellacious ground and pound to seal the deal. An impressive performance from the Czech should see him facing Magomed Ankalev for the number one contender’s spot.
Other thoughts:
Weili Zhang should have a first-round technical submission win on her record but it was not to be. Jason Herzog did not call a stop to the fight and it went on for another 4 rounds. But, all is well as the strawweight champ battled it out to win a decision on the scorecards.
Cody Garbrandt took a tough loss and should honestly be looking at retirement. Jim Miller went out like a boss in a blood-and-guts fight against Bobby Green and Jailin Turner played himself after knocking Moicano down and refusing to engage further allowing the Brazilian to come back in the second round and pound out the American.
