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UFC 248 is in the books and it was an incredible PPV overall. While a certain major fight disappointed, one of the two title fights turned out to be an all-time classic. Let's jump right into what happened, starting with the UFC 248 prelims:
UFC 248 - Prelims
Sean O'Malley def. José Alberto Quiñónez via TKO (head kick and punches) (2:02, Round 1)
Mark Madsen def. Austin Hubbard via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Rodolfo Vieira def. Saparbek Safarov via submission (arm-triangle) (2:58, Round 1)
Gerald Meerschaert def. Deron Winn via submission (rear-naked choke) (2:13, Round 3)
UFC 248 Results - Main card
#1. Alex Oliveira vs Max Griffin
Round 1: There wasn't much of a feeling out process, to begin with. They both began with strikes but none landed. Alex Oliveira went for the clinch and pressed Max Griffin against the fence but wasn't able to hold him down. Oliveira landed an uppercut and seemed to land a few more jabs but ate a rough shot before clinching in desperation. Griffin, an expert in takedowns, took the Brazilian down.
Interestingly, Griffin's corner shouted at him to not go for the takedown despite it being a vital part of the round. Griffin had solid control of Oliveira but wasn't able to lock the arm triangle due to the cage blocking him. Oliveira got up and was taken down again, surprisingly in an armbar position before Griffin escaped. He seemed to graze Griffin right before the round ended.
Round 2: The second round started strong for Oliveira and the Brazilian shook off a takedown, trying one of his own. Griffin appeared to be cut and gave him trouble with his vision. Oliveira had him pressed up against the fence, with the cut on his eye revealed to be far worse than anticipated. Griffin escaped the clinch but the referee stopped it and called for the doctor to check on him.
After the Doctor wiped his cut and checked on him, the action continued. The Brazilian landed a couple of leg kicks and an accurate right hand, seemingly finding his timing. Oliveira pressed him against the fence and nearly landed a spinning elbow. Oliveira was dictating the pace but no clear shots were landing. Oliveira found some success with the front body kick. He went back for the takedown but Griffin's defense was solid enough. It appeared to be 1-1 at this point.
Round 3: Oliveira continued with the front body kicks and mixed it up with a head kick. Griffin had the Brazilian pressed up against the fence and Oliveira received a warning for accidentally elbowing the back of his head. It appeared to have cut Griffin there as well. Oliveira managed to get a separation and attempted a takedown of his own. He mounted him and got his back for a split second.
He had to give up the mount and Oliveira was on top in a solid position. The blood kept going directly in his eye. In a dangerous position, Oliveira got a few good shots until Griffin unexpectedly reversed the position. It was clear that Oliveira was exhausted. Griffin was on top but 'Cowboy' Oliveira was in defense mode. The fight ended with Griffin on top.
Result: Alex Oliveira def. Max Griffin by split decision (29-28 Griffin, 29-28 Oliveira, 29-28 Oliveira)
#2. Neil Magny vs Li Jingliang
Round 1: Li Jingliang started on the aggressive and pressed Neil Magny up against the fence, utilizing a lot of energy to drag Magny to the ground. He momentarily got him but once they separated, he landed a hook on Magny. Neil Magny reversed the position and pressed him against the fence after he landed a few solid shots.
Jingliang appeared to be the more powerful of the two men and he landed a takedown. He didn't do much with the takedown and Magny got up and mixed it up beautifully with his jabs. The round ended and it was hard to tell who won the round
Round 2: The second round started with Magny moving forward, attempting a flying knee but missing. Lingjiang once again pressed him up on the fence but Magny reversed it. He was close to landing a takedown but the fence saved the Chinese star. Magny was behind Jingliang and landed a few good shots. Magny looked like he was going for a piledriver but Lingjiang was right back down.
Magny controlled him against the fence. He was outworking Lingjiang with his flurry of punches, control on the fence and superior cardio. Lingjiang escaped but only for a few seconds as Magny got him back to the fence. Lingjiang reversed the position and Magny was close to a knee and landed shots with pinpoint accuracy. The round ended with Magny landing while Lingjiang was constantly moving his head. He got taken down, giving Magny an important round.
Round 3: The big question heading into the third round was whether Lingjiang exhausted himself. He went on the aggressive but Magny easily evaded his strikes. Magny got the clinch and went for the takedown, but Lingjiang got his back closer to the takedown. He separated it with a head kick attempt but Magny evaded it.
Lingjiang tried to go for his head but was unable to do so. He landed a takedown to continue his dominance and was in a great position, landing solid shots. Lingjiang got back up as the fight ended. It seemed clear that Magny won the fight.
Result: Neil Magny def. Li Jinliang by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
After the fight, Neil Magny revealed that he wants to waste no time in getting back in the Octagon, calling out Michael Chiesa.
Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165 was announced as the "Fight Wing" inductee of the UFC Hall of Fame class of 2020.
#3. Beneil Dariush vs Drakkar Klose
Round 1: Beneil Dariush grazed Drakkar Klose while the latter went for haymakers right away. Dariush went for the takedown and landed it with ease. Klose was quick to get up but was warned by the referee for grabbing the fence. Dariush had his back and his legs locked standing up. He got the right arm under but wasn't able to lock it in. He released the hold on the neck and tried to punch him. He hung on with his legs with 90 seconds to go. Dariush had his arms wrapped around the chin while Klose's deep breaths were audible. He managed to free himself and brilliantly survive the first round, which he lost.
Round 2: The second round started with Dariush nearly landing a shot to the groin. A right hand from Klose made Dariush move back and the former landed a clean shot. Dariush was wobbled and Klose went for the finish but an incredible shot from Dariush landed straight on Klose. Dariush pressed and moved forward before a swinging left hand knocked Klose out clean.
An incredible knockout stoppage left everyone in the arena flabbergasted. An incredible win for Beneil Dariush
Result: Beneil Dariush defeated Drakkar Klose via Knockout (Round 2)
Post-fight, Dariush dedicated the win to his friend who passed away and called out Robert Whittaker, telling him that if he becomes a father, he'd like to be as good as the Australian former Champion.
#4. Weili Zhang (c) vs Joanna Jędrzejczyk - UFC Women's Strawweight Championship
Round 1: Weili Zhang avoided a few strikes before landing a head kick. Joanna Jędrzejczyk landed the first clean shot and then the two got into a couple of more exchanges. Zhang landed a left hook and right hand. The two exchanged low kicks to end each exchange. Zhang landed another right as she started to find her range. The Champion landed a body kick and she began to move forward.
The challenger landed a strike in urgency and was forced to move back as she continued to get hit. A counter right from the Champion saw her continue forward before Joanna tried to get back at her. The challenger landed a few shots but the power of the Chinese Champion was visibly more. The end of the round saw another exchange and Joanna landed a punch right after the buzzer. She immediately apologized, but Weili Zhang didn't seem happy.
Round 2: Things started with another exchange. Joanna landed the first major shot of the ground. The next exchange was won by the challenger, who landed a good low kick. Zhang grazed her with a couple of more shots. Joanna evaded her shots and defended a takedown, reversing her into the fence.
Weili was still in control but Joanna landed a few knees to the body before Zhang countered with an elbow. It broke the clinch and Zhang patiently waited and landed the biggest punch of the fight up till that point. Zhang tripped her down and went for the submission but Joanna managed to break the hold. Zhang's pinpoint accuracy was in display and Joanna began to breathe heavier. Joanna landed a body kick to the Champion and a swift head kick and seemed to land a small unintentional headbutt before Weili tried to take her down.
Round 3: Zhang tried to get into another exchange but missed her shot. She tagged Joanna when she went after her and the next shot that landed snapped the challenger's head back. Zhang landed another clean shot before Joanna switched to Southpaw. She stunned Zhang when cornering her against the fence, looking for the left high kick.
Zhang attempted a counter-right but the challenger slowly began to dictate the pace. Zhang pushed her against the fence and tripped her twice - with Joanna getting up twice and reversing it before they separated.
Zhang landed a body kick and a shot to the head before trying to land another submission. The challenger was quick to get up but swelling to her forehead was visible. Joanna and Zhang landed a shot each and had another quick exchange before the round ended.
Round 4: The two exchanged shots that landed, but Weili's second one caught Joanna a bit. Joanna landed a clean shot and the two landed at the same time. Joanna landed a knee to the head and she looked to be slightly fresher at this point. Joanna landed a beautiful combination and Zhang missed a kick to the head.
Joanna continued to land and her championship round experience was evident. Zhang got her with two consecutive shots while Joanna utilized kicks to the leg. They exchanged again and Weili was still landing the more powerful shots.
Joanna landed an elbow and pressed her against the fence as Zhang reversed with an under hook. The two went back to the exchanges and Joanna kept pressing and Zhang kept countering.
Round 5: The two landed on each other before Zhang countered and landed lightly. Joanna shot with a good right hand before Zhang got a counter left. Zhang continued to land and while it would rock any other fighter, it's clear that Joanna doesn't belong in that category. The counter left seemed to rearranger her nose and Joanna landed one before Zhang went after her and landed a few more.
The left hook landed on Joanna's chin, forcing her to go for the clinch. There was a quick separation from the two and Zhang and Joanna both landed light shots. She landed a shot to the head and a body kick. Zhang looked fresher in the final minutes and she continued to land, but not enough to put the challenger away. Joanna landed a spinning back fist and Zhang had control of her leg and landed one last shot before the fight ended.
Result: Weili Zhang defeated Joanna Jędrzejczyk by split decision to retain the UFC Strawweight Championship (48-47 Joanna, 48-47 Zhang, 48-47 Zhang)
All we can say is that we witnessed the greatest fight in Women's MMA history. Both women went to war and left it all on the line, but only one could walk out victorious.
#5. Israel Adesanya (c) vs Yoel Romero - UFC Middleweight Championship
Round 1: Following the epic Women's Strawweight title fight, the crowd was spoiled. Yoel Romero went forward and stood still without moving. Israel Adesanya stayed right outside, thinking about what he needs to do. It took them over two minutes before they even started throwing properly.
Israel Adesanya started to seek the space for his strikes but Romero landed a swift and hard counter that seemed to bother the Champion's eye. They kept their distance before Romero hit a jumping kick to the body. Adesanya grazed his leg with a kick and the round ended.
Round 2: Israel Adesanya landed a shot but Yoel Romero landed a huge counter. Adesanya missed a couple of kicks and continued to stay on the outside cautiously while looking for his range. Israel Adesanya threw the head kick which appeared to be blocked. Romero burst with his explosive pressure but Adesanya managed to get out of the situation quickly. Romero threw a feint and Adesanya evaded a couple of more shots.
Round 3: The Champion started with a body kick. Romero moved back and he ducked under a high kick before rolling out of his way. Romero had a leg kick checked and Adesanya started to mix it up and evaded a shot by snapping his head back. Adesanya began to try and get the rhythm of the fight and utilizing a front body kick.
Romero started to eat a few more kicks, including one to the face. Romero pushed forward with a punch but Israel Adesanya was dictating the pace of the fight. He got a glancing head kick to seemingly win him the round.
Round 4: Romero began to push forward but Israel Adesanya didn't allow that for long. Romero was unorthodox with his defense and Adesanya kept circling to prevent any major traps. There was a break in the action due to an eye poke from Adesanya.
The doctor came in to check on Romero and things resumed quickly. Romero shot with an aggressive takedown but Adesanya immediately got up and it was back on the feet. Adesanya kept utilizing the outer leg kick and Romero kept jumping. Romero seemed to have a tougher time closing the distance and Adesanya made his leg wobble with a powerful kick. Adesanya blocked another takedown attempt and The Soldier of God nearly landed a powerful punch but missed.
Round 5: Yoel Romero attempted to go after Adesanya and clinched before the Champion escaped. Romero was unsuccessful in every takedown attempt and tried to salvage the final minutes. Romero's aggression saw Adesanya push right back and escape. Adesanya almost landed a kick and he went after him with leg kicks. Adesanya and Yoel Romero had their most explosive and intense moment at the very end and once the buzzer rang, the two had to be separated.
Result: Israel Adesanya def. Yoel Romero by unanimous decision to retain the UFC Middleweight Championship (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
After the fight, Yoel Romero slammed Israel Adesanya for not trading and giving fans the fight that they paid for. It wasn't the fight that people expected or wanted but at the highest level, fighters have to play it safe to secure the win.
