UFC 248 Results - Huge return after 16 months, all-time great title fight ends in split decision

R. Nath
Two title fights!
Two title fights!

#2. Neil Magny vs Li Jingliang

A dominant performance for Magny
A dominant performance for Magny

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.

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