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#4 Islam Makhachev outclasses Thiago Moises as expected
UFC Vegas 31’s main event of Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises was a confusing one, largely because nobody was really giving Moises, despite his #15 UFC lightweight ranking, a chance of beating his Russian foe.
Essentially, it felt like Moises was the only fighter in the 155-pound division brave enough to take on Makhachev, and it quickly became apparent why, as he was outclassed en route to a fourth round submission loss.
Makhachev basically out-fought the Brazilian in every possible area last night. He backed him up throughout the fight, abused him in the clinch, and largely got the better of him on the ground too, easily defending Moises’ handful of submission attempts.
But as the fight ticked into the fourth round, it looked like Makhachev might have to settle for a decision win – impressive, but hardly the kind of thing to inspire a big push from the UFC’s brass.
However, when the Russian took Moises’ back midway through the penultimate round, he decided to really hunt for the finish and was able to clamp on a rear-naked choke to force the Brazilian to tap out for the first time in his career.
Was the win explosive enough to shove Makhachev to the front of the queue for a UFC lightweight title shot? Perhaps not, but he’s likely now one or two more fights away.
#3. Miesha Tate returns to UFC action with a bang
Whenever a UFC fighter returns from a lengthy absence, particularly a self-imposed retirement, there are always questions worth asking about how well they’ll return. Miesha Tate was the latest fighter to attempt a comeback, and last night she answered all the questions around her and then some.
‘Cupcake’ defeated Marion Reneau via a third round TKO, impressively pulling out a finish late in the fight when it seemed like things were destined to go to the judges' scorecards.
Tate had claimed that her stand-up had improved dramatically during her time away. And while she didn’t land a one-punch KO of ‘The Belizean Bruiser’, it definitely looked like her boxing game was tuned up, as she clearly outstruck her opponent.
But it was her ground game, which has always been one of her strengths, that allowed her to pick up her win. The third round saw her take Reneau down, advance to back mount, and destroy her with thudding punches until referee Mark Smith was forced to step in.
Was this the most explosive finish of Tate’s UFC career? Definitely not, but on this form, she actually isn’t far off from a shot at UFC bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes.
