'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Edson Barboza
Khabib Nurmagomedov mauled Edson Barboza piece by piece; nullifying the latter’s striking game by taking the fight to the mat with relative ease.
Nurmagomedov showed excellent defensive striking over the course of the gruelling matchup; meanwhile, despite sustaining a beat-down at the hands of ‘Nurmy’, Barboza still tried his level best until the final bell. Regardless, the bout was a clear-cut decision victory for Khabib.
Nurmagomedov demanded a title shot at Interim UFC Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson besides also asserting that he’d fight both Tony and Undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor at the same time if needed.
Result: Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Edson Barboza via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-24)
#3 Dan Hooker vs. Mark Diakiese
Dan Hooker put on arguably the best performance of his career thus far. Hooker dominated Diakiese by controlling the rhythm of the matchup not only on the feet but also on the mat.
Intriguingly, Diakiese’s corner appeared to have instructed him to not go for the takedown in Round 3, as he was indeed leaving his neck open for the taking. Nevertheless, his reckless abandon proved to be his undoing in the end since Hooker caught him coming in with a beautiful Guillotine Choke.
Result: Dan Hooker def. Mark Diakiese via Submission (Guillotine Choke) (Round 3, 0:42)
#4 Carla Esparza vs. Cynthia Calvillo
Carla Esparza made a huge statement at UFC 219 by shutting down top prospect Cynthia Calvillo.
Calvillo entered this fight with a ton of hype. Being the dangerous grappler that she is, Calvillo was expected to not only dominate but finish former UFC Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza. Nevertheless, Esparza reminded the world of her own feared grappling prowess by executing her defensive game-plan to a T.
Although Esparza didn’t have Calvillo in any significant danger, the former did enough to warrant a clear-cut decision.
Result: Carla Esparza def. Cynthia Calvillo via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
#5 Neil Magny vs. Carlos Condit
Carlos Condit’s athleticism seems to have taken a huge hit after his war with Robbie Lawler.
Condit seemed a tad slower than he usually is, and although he had his moments throughout the fight, Magny was clearly the more active of the two.
In the end, the fight was a decent scrap, with Magny impressing the judges enough so as to win the decision.
Result: Neil Magny def. Carlos Condit via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
