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A successful year for the UFC is always capped off by an end-of-the-year pay-per-view card capable of capviating fans for weeks to come and setting the stage for the following year. UFC 269 turned out to be one of the top UFC events of the year. The final pay-per-view of 2021 had everything MMA fans could dream of in a fight card.
The card produced nine finishes, six 'Performance of the Night' bonuses and two memorable title fights that will be talked about for weeks to come. Here are five reasons why UFC 269 will be remembered as a classic event.
#5. UFC 269's epic performances on the preliminary card
The main card of UFC 269 will be talked about for a long time. However, the preliminary card was equally impressive due to stunning performances by Gillian Robertson, Tony Kelley, Bruno Silva and Andre Muniz.
Bruno Silva is a powerful striker who was able to successfully extend his winning streak to seven in a row by knocking out Jordan Wright in the first round. The Brazil native has compiled a 22-6 professional record which includes 19 finishes via knockout making him one of the most dangerous middleweights to face in 2022.
Submission ace Andre Muniz was equally impressive after extending his own winning streak to eight by submitting Eryk Anders in the first round. The No.13-ranked UFC middleweight captured the attention of MMA fans around the world after submitting Brazilian legend Ronaldo Souza in the first round back in May of 2021.
Gillian Robertson picked up a much-needed win after suffering a two-fight losing streak. The women's flyweight veteran used her powerful ground game to withstand the striking of Priscila Cachoeira in round one and submitted the Brazilian in round two.
Tony Kelley's aggressive style was on full display as he continuously pressed forward and eventually secured a TKO via elbows, defeating favorite Randy Costa in the second round.
#4. A stunning heavyweight knockout
Tai Tuivasa's UFC run continues to impress due to his thunderous punching power, likeable personality, and post-fight celebrations involving beer and a shoe. The Sydney native earned his fourth straight victory at UFC 269 after knocking out fellow striker Augusto Sakai in the second with an impressive flurry.
In round two, Tuivasa landed a perfectly timed counter left hook to the temple of Sakai that stunned the Brazilian immediately. He followed up with multiple combinations before landing another powerful right hook to the jaw of Sakai to end the bout. The 28-year-old heavyweight prospect has thus far compiled a 7-3 UFC record and continues to improve with every performance inside the octagon.
#3. The resurgence of UFC veterans Dominick Cruz and Josh Emmett
UFC 269 reminded fans that Dominick Cruz and Josh Emmett are still two of the best mixed martial artists in their respective weight classes. After being dropped in round one, Cruz returned to action in round two and put on a classic performance using his movement, versatility and speed to continuously blast Pedro Munhoz with three-to-four punch combinations while avoiding power shots.
The former bantamweight champion went on to defeat Munhoz via unanimous decision and reminded the world why he was once considered the best 135-pounder in the world.
Josh Emmett has been a victim of back luck throughout his UFC career. The No.6-ranked featherweight is one of the most powerful punchers in the division but has been plagued with various injuries in recent years, including facial ones and an ACL tear.
Despite these setbacks, the Arizona native was able to successfully heal up and return to action against the always dangerous Dan Ige. The pair squared off in a highly competitive clash that saw both men claim a round going into the final five minutes. Emmett was able to rebound after being wobbled by Ige in round two and went on to convincingly claim round three and earn a unanimous decision victory.
#2. Sean O'Malley's stock rises
Sean O'Malley is a top tier star in the UFC, plain and simple. The No.13-ranked UFC bantamweight has compiled a 6-1 record since joining the promotion. 'Sugar' has registered five finishes via knockout, four 'Performance of the Night' bonuses, and two 'Fight of the Night' bonuses in the UFC.
The Montana native finished the always-game Raulian Paiva in round one via knockout, earning style points and praise along the way. However, the UFC realizes O'Malley has a long way to go before fighting top bantamweight talent and continues to have him face similarly skilled competition until he is ready for a massive bump.
#1. UFC 269 featured not one but two title upsets
After an action-packed preliminary card and a memorable start to the main card, many believed both Amanda Nunes and Dustin Poirier would go on to win their respective bouts and ride off into the sunset. In a stunning turn of events, both favorites fell victim to the underdog stories of the night.
After winning the lightweight championship against Michael Chandler, Charles Oliveira knew a win over Poirier was necessary to solidify his claim to being the best lightweight in the world.
'Do Bronx' overcame early adversity to go on and submit Poirier in round three to defend his belt and erase any doubt about his championship crown. Despite Oliveira's impressive performance, the spotlight of UFC 269 rightfully belongs to the woman who defeated possibly the greatest female fighter of all time.
Like many of Amanda Nunes's title defenses, the first round between the champion and challenger Julianna Pena seemed like a matter of time before the bout would end via knockout.
Instead, Pena survived round one and went on to deliver perhaps the biggest upset in UFC history by battering Nunes with multiple 1-2 combinations before securing a rear-naked choke submission. Pena's victory at UFC 269 effectively resets the women's bantamweight division and opens the door to the biggest women's rematch in UFC history.
