UFC 277 Post-Fight Review
The UFC returned to Dallas, Texas for the first time since 2018 with UFC 277 and the main card delivered once again. The main event featured the anticipated rematch between Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes for the women's Bantamweight championship. The co-main event featured Brandon Moreno taking on Kai Kara-France for the Interim Flyweight title. The main card had some impressive wins and nice finishes too. Let's recap what took place at UFC 277.
Amanda Nunes Recaptures The Bantamweight Championship in Classic Fight
Amanda Nunes becomes the double-champ again when she defeats Julianna Pena at UFC 277 via unamious decision. It was domination from Nunes from start to finish. Multiple times in the first round, Nunes had Pena hurt with some damaging shots. The adjustment to fighting southpaw in this fight paid off. The counter right hook was money for Nunes and she scored three knockdowns in the second round with that shot. Pena was still in the fight as she had her moments as well. Pena got cut with some slicing elbows from Nunes but it did not stop her from fighting. Pena continued to give it her all and display how durable she is. In the fourth round, Pena nearly had an armbar submission but, Nunes got out and continued to control the fight on the ground. At the end of the fight, Nunes secured six takedowns in total with a control time of 11:49. Pena gave everything she had in the octagon but it was not enough to defeat Nunes for a second time. Nunes had one of her best performances and it earned her getting the Bantamweight title back.
Brandon Moreno Finishes Kai Kara-France To Become The Interim Flyweight Champion
In what was a great fight from start to finish, Brandon Moreno earns himself another fight with Deiveson Figueiredo after defeating Kai Kara-France in the third round via TKO. In the first round, Kara-France had a lot of success with his overhand right and had the biggest moment in that round. Moreno landed a lot more leg kicks and was trying to find his distance early. Both men figured out the timing in the second round and it led to Moreno extending his combinations. Moreno looked crisp on the feet and was starting to pick it up. The pace in the third round was going very well for Kara-France as it was his best round of the fight. He executed a sweep on Moreno that took the fight to the floor. Kara-France cut Moreno up with an elbow on the ground and did more damage with some ground and pound strikes. Moreno would get back to his feet yet Kara-France was still landing some clean shots. Towards the end of the third round, Moreno landed a body shot on Kara-France and it was the biggest moment of the fight. The shot shut down Kara-France as he dropped to the ground as Moreno finished the fight at the end of the round via TKO. With the win, Moreno now gets the opportunity to unify the Flyweight belt against Figueiredo.
Sergei Pavlovich defeats Derrick Lewis in Controversial Stoppage in the First Round
Sergei Pavlovich stops Derrick Lewis in 55 seconds, earning the TKO victory at UFC 277. Whether the fight was stopped quick or not, Pavlovich still looked great as long as the fight lasted. He hurt Lewis with some nasty shots when in boxing range. It all started with an uppercut from Pavlovich that was executed perfectly that had Lewis stunned early and he did not let Lewis recover. Pavlovich jumped on him with more pressure while increasing his volume of strikes. Lewis had dropped to the ground while being hit with some powerful shots from Pavlovich. Referee, Dan Miragliotta, saw Lewis get knocked down and called the fight. It appeared that Lewis got right back to his feet after the knockdown and started to protest the call from Miragliotta. Nonethless, Pavlovich earned a first round win over one of the best knockout artists in UFC history. Pavlovich is now 16-1 in his professional career and is on a four-fight winning streak. After this win, Pavlovich will enter the top ten of the Heavyweight division.
Alexandre Pantoja Makes a Statement Submitting Alex Perez in Round One
From the very beginning of the fight, Alexandre Pantoja brought the fight to Alex Perez. Pantoja immediately pressured forward with his relentless striking attacks. Perez stood in the pocket and fired back while both men engaged in a fire fight for the first 15 seconds of the fight. After brawling back and fourth with each other, Pantoja secured a takedown and jumped on the back of Perez. While standing up, Perez still had Pantoja on his back and that is when things went downhill for Perez. Pantoja locked up a rear naked choke and earned a massive win in just 91 seconds. Pantoja is now on a three-fight winning streak and has earned himself to be included in the title picture in the Flyweight division.
Magomed Ankalaev Takes Advantage of Anthony Smith's Injury and Wins via TKO
Top contender Magomed Ankalaev defeats Anthony Smith in the second round via TKO. To start the fight, both fighters were trying to find their distance and strike with caution. The southpaw versus orthodox stance between the two had the fight starting at a slow pace. Once they started to figure out the spacing, the striking started to pick up a bit. Ankalaev was picking his shots with his leg and body kicks on Smith throughout the majority of the first round. Smith would look to counter with a straight right hand and look for those power shots. It appeared that one of Ankalaev's leg kicks damaged the left leg of Smith, resulting in a injury. After the round ended, Smith told his corner that he believes that his ankle is broken. Once the second round starts, Smith engages into a clinch battle with Ankalaev and pulls guard. With Ankalaev on top, he finishes the fight via TKO as Smith can hardly move due to his injury. This win for Ankalaev makes it nine consecutive wins and he is in prime position to be next to challenge for the Light Heavyweight title.
