FC 229 is long gone, and looking back at it currently, is nothing but a big let down in one major way. The way the pay-per-view had been built was nothing less than a one-fight card. In reality, however, things turned out to be quite different than how it was thought.
The Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov bout was far less than the brilliance which had been promised to the fans of UFC. McGregor looked rusty, as should have been expected after not having a fight in the UFC for over two years.
Of all the fighters he could have faced in his return fight, there was not a fighter more difficult to defeat than Khabib Nurmagomedov. The undefeated Dagestani fighter made short work of him, grounding him for the majority of the first round, as well as landing a hard blow on McGregor early on which left him shaken. Again, this was an outcome which should have been rightfully expected by the fans of the UFC.
The Undefeated champion taking on a fighter who has not appeared for the promotion for 2 years is in no way a fight that should have even taken place immediately off the cuff. But this was McGregor, and with his name is associated the word 'miracle'. In the end, there was no miracle.
He tapped out, and the ensuing unexpected brawl that followed, a bad taste was left in the mouths of the fans who had expected quite a different sort of show.
The fights leading up to the main event, however, had been a different story. Almost every fight had the ability and action involved to steal the show, and one of them did just that. In this article we, will look at three reasons why Tony Ferguson and Anthony Pettis had the best fight of the night.
#3 The Intensity
By ordinary levels, the fight between Pettis and Ferguson was the best one of the night. The duo really managed to steal the show, and one of the reasons that they were successful was because of the passion they had in the fight.
Neither fighter was willing to back down and let the other get the momentum. Both of them were fighting at their best level, and even when Pettis had his hand broken he did not stop until the round was over.
It was crazy how far these two fighters were willing to go to get the bragging rights.
#2 The unexpected twists and turns
Tony Ferguson was expected to come out and dominate Anthony Pettis. He was supposed to be the superior striker going into the round.
Imagine then, the shock that the live crowd felt as well as the audience at home when they realised that Pettis was the one landing the stiff shots? At one point, he hit Ferguson hard enough to drop him and looked like he was going in for the kill.
However, it was not to be. Ferguson was not done with the fight just that easily. Ferguson did a front roll, hardly ever seen in the Octagon while the crowd ooh'd and aah'd. Ferguson stood up still taking blows from his opponent but seemingly surviving them without much difficulty.
At one point he looked around at the fans as if to say "are you not entertained?"
We were.
#1 Enjoyment and respect
The one thing about the bout which everyone caught if they were watching it, is the enjoyment that the fighters felt in the bout. They were laughing out loud at one point, while both had blood pouring from the cuts that had been inflicted on their head.
Some could say the blows to their head knocked them 'loopy', but the actual fact is that both fighters love to fight. They are at their happiest inside the same Octagon cage that is the source of nightmares for others.
Another point, which highlighted the fight, and made it stick out from the sea of other matches, was the respect that the two fighters had for each other. Even the referee displayed diligence and respect for the fight.
They stopped at the buzzer each time, and their body language was immensely positive. When the referee stopped the fight to check on the wounds suffered by Ferguson and Pettis, both fighters looked across the Octagon at each other with wide grins.
It was the complete polar opposite of the fight which was to follow them, in the main event of the night, where the disdain McGregor and Nurmagomedov had for each other was tangible.
Thus, at this point, it is safe to say that Ferguson vs. Pettis was definitely the best fight of the night, and a contender for the fight of the year as well.
Do you agree that Ferguson vs. Pettis was the best fight of the night, or did you have another in mind? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
