(Photo credit to @ufc on X.com)
Fight night this weekend was in the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, a small arena but a home where champions are born, many fighters such as Tom Aspinall and Paddy Pimblett have made their debuts here. This fight night was no different with some outstanding submission and TKO finishes being made and potentially some new up and coming fighters we can expect to see in the future. Here is the main card.
Allan Nascimento V Cody Durden – Catchweight
First fight of the main card and it was not to disappoint, the fight lasted two rounds, with Brazilian fighter Nascimento and US fighter Durden having a pretty even first round. However, in the second round Nascimento really switched up, knocking his opponent down with a powerful right elbow to the face and getting him in a guillotine chokehold and making Durden ultimately submit with 3 minutes and 13 seconds left of the round to go.
Post-Match Interview
A tired and out of breath Allan Nascimento spoke with the reporter at the end of the match after his fourth consecutive win. “He’s one of the toughest guys in this division he’s a former ranker”. Nascimento full of praise for his opponent is now looking to hopefully get a ranked opponent for his next fight back in the octagon.
Charles Radtke V Daniel Frunza – Welterweight
Second fight of the night was long and brutal but ended in a beautiful submission by US fighter Charles Radtke. Going for three rounds, the US fighter and Frunza hailing from Romania battled it out, both delivering some strong hits on each other and the pair leaving with some pretty bad bruises and cuts. In the end Charles won with an outstanding rear naked chokehold on the ground with 4 minutes and 29 seconds left of the third round.
Post-Match Interview
Radtke full of respect post match: “As far as a complete performance I think a lot of people know the potential I hold and it shows against a tough opponent like this, that this is gonna put us on the bigger map”. “Tell Dana White, enjoy the f**king show baby” were his final remarks.
Isaac Dulgarian V Yadier del Valle – Featherweight
(Photo credit to @HomeofFight on X.com)
A rather quick fight, only lasting one round, with the pair being on the ground for majority of the round, it was clear that Cuban fighter del Valle was dominating on the ground with constant headlocks and submission holds over his opponent Dulgarian. Credit should be shown for Dulgarian for going so long trying to break free from the holds but ultimately in the end he had to tap out with only 3 minutes and 41 seconds left of the first round.
Post-Match Interview
Yadier del Valle had his translator on hand stating: “As I said on Thursday, I was not worried at all. I am a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu. I knew he was gonna take us down to the ground and I was not worried at all.”
Jermiah Wells V Themba Gorimbo – Welterweight
The only fight of the night to end in a decision with US fighter Wells taking the win. Jermiah Wells focused on grapples and takedowns during this fight with some really strong ground and pound attacks leaving his opponent with some pretty bad cuts to the face. Gorimbo tried copying a lot of the same tactics as Wells but couldn’t execute them as well.
Post-Match Interview
A very emotional but ecstatic Wells spoke to the interviewer. This was his first appearance since February 2024 and his first win since April 2023. “I wanna get to top of the T give me Michael Chiesa or give me some dude from Australia or Canada.”
Waldo Cortes-Acosta V Ante Delija – Heavyweight- Co-Main
(Photo credit to @MMACrazy on X.com)
A dramatic fight between these two as we thought the fight potentially ended with Delija taking the win, but later footage replayed showing an eye poke by him to Cortes-Acosta which stunned him for a short while. After review and confirmation by Cortes-Acosta saying he’s ready to fight again the match was restarted and within a few seconds of the fight being back on, Cortes-Acosta got his revenge with a heavy right hook overhead hit, knocking his opponent to the ground. All of this in the first round and with only 3 minutes and 59 seconds left.
Post-Match Interview
Tissue pressed to the eye, Cortes-Acosta explained the eye poke. “I felt the finger deep into my eye. But I said continue my eye has like 20% vision”. He finished by saying “That m*therf*cker tried taking my victory, but I wanted to come back”
Steve Garcia V David Onama – Featherweight – Main Event
(Photo credit to @ufc on X.com)
The main fight of the night and it was over with 3 minutes and 34 seconds remaining in the first round. The US fighter Steve Garcia dominated against the Ugandan fighter, chasing him around the octagon and constantly throwing some devastating blows left, right and centre and eventually finished him off with some ground and pound action. This is now his 6th win in a row.
Post-Match Interview
Garcia still full of energy said: “I could hear him back in his corner, and in here man it’s kill or be killed or at least that’s how I view it”. When asked who he’d like to fight next he said: “I want the Rocky Balboa story, I want the one with Max Holloway with the BMF title man!”
