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#2 Best: Is Andrade now the biggest threat to Shevchenko’s UFC Flyweight title?
UFC Flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko might have a title defense against Jennifer Maia booked for November’s UFC 255. But judging by last night, the woman she really needs to worry about is Jessica Andrade.
Andrade – the former UFC Strawweight champion – moved up to 125lbs last night for the first time, taking on former UFC title challenger Katlyn Chookagian in what sounded like a tricky fight for her. However, Bata Estaca made it look anything but tricky, finishing Chookagian inside the first round.
Despite giving up some size, it looked like Andrade was simply too powerful for her opponent in all areas. She took Chookagian down early, avoided some submission attempts, and when the fight came back to the feet, took Blonde Fighter apart with her brutal punches.
The end came when Andrade nailed Chookagian with a heavy right hand to the body. ‘Blonde Fighter’ could simply not mask the pain, and Andrade quickly swarmed her for the finish. Like her very best showings, this was a performance reminiscent of UFC and PRIDE legend Wanderlei Silva.
So could Andrade test Shevchenko, who is arguably the UFC’s most dominant champion right now? Who knows. But on this showing, it should be fun to see her try. Hopefully the UFC can put the fight together in early 2021, assuming Bullet gets past Maia, of course.
#2 Worst: Krause shows Silva the UFC is no place for a one trick pony
Claudio Silva brought a lengthy undefeated run with him into last night’s fight with James Krause. Hannibal was 14-1, hadn’t lost since a DQ in his professional debut back in 2007, and had picked up five wins in the UFC.
However, it was hard to see the Brazilian as a contender in the UFC’s Welterweight division for a couple of reasons. Not only were his five UFC wins spread over the course of six years, but it was hard to shake the feeling that his old-school Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu style would probably hit a serious wall at some point.
That wall turned out to be James Krause in last night’s fight. It wasn’t the most entertaining showing, but in reality, Krause made Silva look pretty amateurish at the UFC level – surprising considering his record.
Hannibal never came close to getting Krause down, and his wild strikes and stance – with his chin high in the air – were easily exploited by the veteran too. Essentially, Krause did everything but finish Silva, who did at least prove to be tough.
However, with his undefeated run now over, it’s hard to see any more success for him. A true throwback who’s almost entirely reliant on his submission game, Silva is a rarity in the modern-day UFC – and probably one who won’t last much longer against today’s more rounded fighters.
#3 Best: Is Crute the UFC’s top prospect at 205lbs?
Who is the UFC’s best prospect at 205lbs? Ask fans that question and names like Magomed Ankalaev, Ion Cutelaba, and Jiri Prochazka might come to mind. After last night though, the real answer may well be Jimmy Crute.
For some reason, The Brute has largely flown under the radar in the UFC to date, and it’s hard to pinpoint why. Coming into last night, the Aussie was 3-1 in the UFC, had finished all of his wins, and his only loss had come in a back-and-forth encounter with the underrated Misha Cirkunov.
But last night saw Crute put on the kind of performance that should make people think again. He destroyed vaunted striker Modestas Bukauskas in just over two minutes, smacking him around on the feet and showing incredible killer instinct to finish the fight once the Lithuanian was hurt.
Crute is just 24 years old, his striking has come on leaps and bounds from a technical standpoint, his finishing skills are ruthless, and he’s an excellent grappler, too. Surely, it can only be a matter of time before he’s a UFC title contender – and now the entire UFC fanbase should recognize that, too.
