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Despite very little fanfare coming in, UFC Vegas 30 was one of 2021’s most enjoyable UFC events, thanks to several violent finishes up and down the card.
Although it didn’t see a finish in its heavyweight main event, UFC Vegas 30 still produced a number of fighters who can call themselves big winners this morning.
Whether any of those fighters can now climb into UFC title contention is another thing entirely, but they certainly advanced their UFC careers greatly with their victories last night.
Here are the five biggest winners from UFC Vegas 30: Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov:
#1 Ciryl Gane – defeated Alexander Volkov in UFC Vegas 30 main event
The fight didn’t end explosively, but Ciryl Gane picked up another huge win at UFC Vegas 30 in his second UFC main event. This time, he clearly outpointed giant Russian kickboxer Alexander Volkov.
Gane was favored coming into the fight, but few fans could’ve predicted how easily he’d pick Volkov apart for the most part. Sure, he took some hard shots across the five rounds – in particular, some low kicks in the first round and a big uppercut in the fourth – but he always looked in control.
And to see the Frenchman abuse Volkov with his jab was stunning, particularly given the height and reach advantage that 'Drago' enjoyed.
If the UFC were booking from a purely sporting perspective, Gane would probably be in line for the next shot at the UFC heavyweight title. After all, he’s now 6-0 in the UFC and 9-0 in MMA overall, and it’s not like he’s been beating scrubs.
However, the UFC are likely to use the fact that his last two fights were decision wins against him – meaning he’ll be behind Derrick Lewis in the pecking order. And that’s not even mentioning the potential for a Jon Jones run at heavyweight.
Despite that though, Gane was undoubtedly the big winner last night. He comfortably brushed aside his biggest challenge to date. It also wouldn't be a stretch to say that he’s probably the toughest fight out there for current UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou.
On this evidence, there’s still a chance that he could be the next UFC heavyweight champion.
Also Read: "I'm a smart guy" - Cyril Gane reveals how he will beat Francis Ngannou in a potential fight
Also Read: What is the meaning of Cyril Gane's nickname, 'Bon Gamin'?
#2 Tanner Boser – defeated Ovince St. Preux
Tanner Boser probably had his back to the wall coming into last night’s UFC event, as he was on a two-fight losing streak. Sure, he looked excellent in his last two wins – a pair of quick knockouts – but no fighter can afford to go on a three-fight losing streak in the UFC in 2021.
Thankfully for the Canadian, he produced arguably the best performance of his UFC career to take out veteran Ovince St. Preux in the second round.
Sure, you could probably put the win down to OSP’s bizarre passive behavior in the octagon, as outside of a takedown in the second round, he barely attacked Boser.
But he’s still a tough fighter to deal with, and 'The Bulldozer' did just that. Boser destroyed OSP in the second round with strikes after escaping to his feet via a questionable fence grab.
The win should erase memories of Boser’s dull losses to Andrei Arlovski and Ilir Latifi. Additionally, this victory means he’s once again a fighter to watch at heavyweight after saving his UFC career.
With quick hands, knockout power, and a seemingly developing ground game, Tanner Boser could be around for a while now – meaning he stands as one of UFC Vegas 30’s big winners.
#3 Timur Valiev – defeated Raoni Barcelos
Casual fans might not have cared too much, but hardcore fans were probably looking forward to last night’s bantamweight clash between Timur Valiev and Raoni Barcelos greatly.
Most of that interest would’ve centered around Barcelos. The Brazilian was bringing in a lengthy win streak and had won five UFC fights in a row dating back to 2018. Some observers even considered him a dark horse contender for the UFC bantamweight title.
That’s why it was so impressive to see Timur Valiev pick up a tight majority decision win over Barcelos last night.
The Russian – who was unbeaten in the UFC in his own right – edged the first and third rounds of the fight. He even survived a second-round onslaught from Barcelos, who came close to finishing the Dagestani at one point.
Old-school PRIDE rules may well have declared Barcelos the winner for that big round, but in the modern-day UFC, it was Valiev who came away with his hand raised.
And with that, the Russian should now steal a lot of the Brazilian’s momentum. As a result, Valiev could find himself in the UFC’s top 15 at 135lbs come Monday morning.
Also Read: "I'm gonna buy house for my mother" - Timur Valiev shares how he plans to spend his UFC bonus
#4 Renato Moicano – defeated Jai Herbert
Another fighter who had his back to the wall going into UFC Vegas 30 was Renato Moicano. The Brazilian had lost his last fight to Rafael Fiziev in a bad fashion and desperately needed a win over Jai Herbert to keep himself afloat.
Moicano produced one of the best showings of his UFC career to submit the UK-based fighter in the second round and now appears to be firmly back on track.
A dangerous striker, Herbert could never really get anything going last night, as Moicano wasted no time in taking him down. The Brazilian landed three takedowns in the first round alone. From there, he worked Herbert over with ground strikes throughout the first and second rounds.
When Herbert gave up his back in the second round, the fight was instantly over, as Moicano slapped on a tight rear-naked choke to force the tap.
Moicano might not be a title contender in the UFC’s lightweight division, but if he fights to his strengths as he did here, then he’s probably a match for anyone out there – making him one of last night’s biggest winners.
#5 Kennedy Nzechukwu – defeated Danilo Marques
Any fighter who can put together three straight wins in the UFC is worth watching. Kennedy Nzechukwu managed that last night by picking up an excellent victory over Danilo Marques.
An explosive striker, Nzechukwu unleashed a genuinely violent barrage on Marques to take him out in the third round. However, it was his defensive work that was most impressive last night.
Not known for his ground game, 'The African Savage' found himself on the back foot in the early going as Marques took him down and hunted relentlessly for a submission. Somehow, though, the Nigerian stunned observers by hanging on in the fight.
When Marques gassed in the later rounds, Nzechukwu poured it on until he could take no more punishment, forcing ref Jason Herzog to step in and rescue the Brazilian.
The UFC’s light heavyweight division is filled with rising stars right now, with newer fighters continually looking to gain some traction. After last night, Kennedy Nzechukwu can definitely count himself amongst them.
Also Read: UFC Vegas 30: Cyril Gane vs Alexander Volkov full card results and video highlights
