UFC 220 was a solid card from start to finish.
The UFC was on pay per View for the first time in 2018 and it featured 2 title fights including a clash for the Heavyweight Title. Live from Boston Massachusett’s the UFC brought some heavy hitters in the co-main and main event. The Co-main event featured Daniel “DC” Cormier (20-1 1NC Light Heavyweight Champion) and Volkan “No Time” Oezdemir (15-2 #2 Ranked Light Heavyweight) while the main event had historical implications with Stipe Miocic (18-2 Heavyweight Champion) and Francis “The Predator” Ngannou (11-2 #1 Ranked Heavyweight). We had a ton of finishes and some seriously competitive fights. With history on the line, let’s jump into the recap.
The night started on UFC Fight Pass with a Light matchup between Islam Makhachev (15-1) and longtime UFC veteran Gleison Tibau (41-12). The fight was starting very slow with a lot of feeling out. Then out of nowhere a big left hand comes from Makhachev and Tibau crumpled to the mat. Makhachev followed up with a few shots before the ref stepped in and stopped this fight. This was an impressive knockout for Makhachev, and something we really haven’t seen out of the talented grappler. If the striking comes along like this for Makhachev we could see another Dagestan native a contender very soon.
The featured UFC Fight Pass prelim had Matt “The Mangler” Bessette (22-8) taking on UFC vet Enrique “El Fuerte” Barzola (15-3-1). These guys were feeling each other out early with the Barzola throwing a low leg kick. Barzola followed up with another low leg kick. Barzola came in firing a big overhand right and missed and ate a right hand from Bessette. They were getting more comfortable and Besseette had him backed up against the fence briefly. Back in the center Bessette landed a hard body kick that appeared to hurt Barzola briefly and he had to circle away. Bessette tried for a high kick and Barzola got out of the way and took it on his shoulder. Barzola responded with a nice combination that ended with a body kick. Bessette threw another high kick that Barzola had to block. Bessette got caught in the clinch and Barzola was able to slam him to the mat. Bessette however tried to grab for a leg lock forcing Barzola to stand. Bessette kept looking for the leg, and had to cover up on some ground and pound. Bessette got back to his feet and fired two more high kicks. Barzola went for another takedown, but Bessette was able to stay on his feet. The two traded some shots as the round came to an end. Besseette started out moving forward throwing combinations and forcing Barzola against the fence. Bessette continued to fire head kicks and landed a hard combination to the body. The two traded leg kicks and Barzola landed another hard one that buckled the leg of Bessette. Besseette continued to move forward, and Barzola grabbed for the clinch and tried to grab a takedown, but it was stuffed y Bessette. Bessette missed with a wild uppercut and ended up in the clinch and Barzola was able to pick him p and slam him to the mat. Bessette continued to attack the leg of Barzola on the mat, but was eating ground and pound for his efforts. Bessette got to his feet, and was met with an immediate clinch and another takedown for Barzola. Bessette absorbed some punishment and got back to his feet. Barzola immediately moved forward and had Bessette pressed up against the cage. Barzola closed out the round with one more slam takedown. Bessette came out firing early in round 3. Barzola was responding with some low leg kicks, and Bessette was starting to back p. Bessette avoided some strikes and then returned with a body-head combination. Barzola was really working the legs and the combinations from Bessette were not as strong as they had been early. The two exchanged some shots, and the takedown attempt then came from Barzola. Bessette was able to stay on his feet, but was pressed up against the cage. Barzola was able to score the takedown finally, and was rattling off some ground and pound, but upon posturing up he ate some up kicks, and Bessette got back to his feet. Bessette let it all hang out late with a flurry of punches and kicks as the bell sounded. The judges scored this one 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28 all fro Enrique Barzola. This was a good win for Barzola who came out slow, but as the fight wore on proved to be the better of the two fighters. His takedown ability was the key difference in the fight. He has a bright future in front of him if he can keep that up.
Two alums of the Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series kicked off the FS! Prelims as Dan “Danimal” Ige (8-2) took on Julio Arce (14-2). They came out looking to trade on the feet, and Arce threw a kick that Ige caught. This led to a scramble, and then to the mat, and then back up to the feet before they separated. Ige missed with a looping right hand but was able to come back with a takedown attempt that was successful briefly, but Arce got back up. In the clinch against the cage, Ige landed a hard knee to the body, and Arce was able to eventually separate. Arce landed a hard combination on the feet through the hands of Ige. Arce landed another hard right hook that appeared to stun Ige. Ige then went for a takedown, and Arce stuffed it and he landed a flurry of hammer fists. Ige got back to the feet and Arce connected again and hurt Ige who started to cover up. Arce tried to move in and hammer him, but Ige was able to survive. Ige went for one last takedown, but it was stuffed. Ige was trying to move forward early, but Arce was able to respond on the feet. Arce landed a hard front kick to the body. Arce then landed a hard uppercut. Arce was continuing to be able to avoid the takedown and ripped a hard combination that included a solid left hook. Ige ate another uppercut and then went for a long takedown that was stuffed. Ige went for another takedown, but Arce was able to avoid it via a cage grab that he was yelled at by the referee for. Ige went again for a late takedown, but Arce stuffed it again. Ige came out in round 3 and again was looking for long lunging takedowns. Arce was able to avoid all of them and continuing to pick him apart on the feet. Arce landed a body shot in close and it sent Ige to the mat. Arce let him stand back up and it was more of the same on the feet. Ige landed a hard right of the cage, but Arce was able to walk through it. They danced around exchanging shots, with Arce moving in and out of punching range. Arce landed a really hard left hand at the 20-second mark and the last 15 seconds was a throw down from both sides. The judges scored this one 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 all for Julio Arce. Arce’s striking was on point in this match and his takedown defense made it that much better. Arce is an intriguing prospect and he should be able to get back in the Octagon shortly.
A Top 15 125lb showdown was next with Dustin Ortiz (18-7 #10 Ranked Flyweight) and Alejandre “The Cannibal” Pantoja (18-3 #11 Ranked Flyweight). Pantoja came out and landed a combination. On the second combination, Ortiz was able to avoid and score a takedown and grab Pantoja’s back. Pantoja was able to avoid the position and then took Ortiz’s back. Pantoja was fully locked into the body lock and controlling Ortiz. Pantoja was trying to soften him up for a rear naked choke. Ortiz was trying to stay out of trouble and respond with punches while hand fighting. Pantoja grabbed for a neck lock, and he was cranking on it hard, but Ortiz was able to survive and stay out of it. Ortiz somehow wriggled out of the position and landed a hard knee Ortiz then grabbed the back of Pantoja as the round ended. Ortiz immediately came out in round 2 and went for a takedown, but Pantoja stuffed it. Ortiz was throwing a lot of punches, but he ate a hard right hand. Ortiz just continued to move forward and come back towards Pantoja. Ortiz then scrambled for a takedown and had Pantoja’s back against the cage. Ortiz was just all over him controlling the grappling game. Pantoja finally escaped with just over a minute left and they were back to trading. Pantoja uncorked some hard shots including a stiff right hand, but almost immediately Ortiz went for the grappling game and took a takedown. Ortiz ended the round controlling Pantoja and landing hard knees to the thighs. Pantoja threatened with an armbar very early in round three, and then reversed the position and ended up on top. Pantoja was working to try and get to Ortiz’s back, but Ortiz was able to battle back to his feet. Pantoja took him right back down to the mat and locked in a body triangle again much like round 1. Ortiz was able to finally slide Pantoja off his back and held control on top briefly. Pantoja battled off and we were back to trading on the feet. Ortiz ducked down for a takedown, but Pantoja was able to stay up on his feet, but just had Ortiz draped on him. Ortiz finished with some short shots on the mat and we were headed to the judges. They came back with 29-28 across the board for Dustin Ortiz. The end of round 3 is what gave this one to Ortiz. His motor and endurance is what got him the win. Ortiz should be looking for a Top 10 opponent next.
A rematch of an early stoppage was next with Sabah “The Problem” Homasi (11-8) and Abdul Razak Alhassan (9-1). Alhassan landed the first hard shot of the fight with a low leg kick. He added another a few moments later. They briefly clinched and both guys were throwing heavy hands. Homasi came in for a flying knee and they went at it in the clinch. Homasi battled off the cage and landed a hard right hand and Alhassan had to back away. It was brief as Alhassan came firing back with shots. Homasi dropped down and scored a takedown. After about a minute of action on the mat, the referee stood them up which was seemingly unnecessary. Alhassan immediately came towards Homasi and landed two big shots stumbling Homasi. One more right uppercut and Homasi was out cold falling backward to the mat. Abdul Razak Alhassan certainly made sure there was no doubt with this fight with that knockout. He again closed out a fight in the first round and his power is going to have to be dealt with moving forward. He is one of the scariest prospects in the UFC when it comes to striking.
In the featured FS1 prelim get Kyle “Crash” Bochniak (8-2) took on another Dana White Contender Series alum Brandon “Killer B” Davis (8-3). Bochniak was circling on the outside early while Davis controlled the center of the Octagon smiling. Davis landed a hard low leg kick and then threw a head kick that was blocked. Bochniak glanced in with a right hand. Davis threw a spinning back kick to the body. Davis landed a nice combination with a hard left hook that finished it. Davis landed two hard leg kicks. Bochniak finally went in for a takedown, but Davis stuffed it and they were battling against the cage. Bochniak kept working for it and finally got it to the mat. Davis stayed on the mat very briefly and they were back up against the fence. Bochniak just kept the pressure on and got the fight back to the ground again, but Davis popped back up to the feet and they grinded against the cage. The round ended in that same position with Bochniak in control. Bochniak came forward right at him early with a nice combination that just missed. Bochniak was trying to sneak in and Davis responded with a hard combination. Davis followed up with two very hard leg kicks that landed. Davis was trying to move in, but he ate multiple shots from Bochniak. Davis continued to land the leg kicks over and over again. Bochniak started to come forward for a takedown and ate a knee from Davis. Bochniak kept coming for the takedown, but Davis was able to avoid it and separate. The two then traded in the middle of the cage and Bochniak landed the hardest shot with a right hand at the end. Davis went for a spinning back fist, and it led to a takedown from Bochniak, but Davis got right back up and then got the separation. Davis landed one last hard straight right hand and stuffed a takedown as the round ended. We headed in to round 3 and Bochniak just continuing to move on the outside and pick his spots. Davis stuffed a takedown, but a minute later a faked punch led to another takedown attempt from Bochniak. Davis was able to stay up on his feet again for the most part. Bochniak got him down, but Davis reversed the position and got back to his feet. Bochniak landed a hard knee to the body, but Davis threw a hard right hook that connected. These two traded a little and Bochniak had Davis clinched against the cage as the round ended. The judges scored this one 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27 for Kyle Bochniak. This was a solid performance from Kyle Bochniak. He played this fight perfectly staying out of range of Davis. Bochniak’s cardio was really up for the task of winning this fight from the outside. He used his movement and was able to control the entire fight and pace from that.
Two Top 15 Bantamweights took center stage to kick off the Pay Per View as Thomas “Thominhas” Almeida (22-3 #10 Ranked Bantamweight) took on Rob Font (15-3 #14 Ranked Bantamweight). Almeida landed a hard leg kick to lead off, and Font went down to a takedown, but Almeida stayed on his feet. When they separated Font ripped a nice right hand. Font was keeping the pressure on Almeida, and he had him pressed up against the cage. Almeida slipped in a left hand that connected. Font was using his jabs to really pepper Almeida’s face. Almeida threw a head kick that was blocked at the last second by Font. Font swung with a hard uppercut, but Almeida avoided and landed a hard left hook. Almeida was starting to find a home for his striking and just missed with a spinning elbow prior to the round ending. Font came out throwing multiple left hands jabs that Almeida was able to stay away from. Almeida landed a hard leg kick. Font responded with a nice one-two. Font then ripped a hard right hand and Almeida’s legs went to jello and he stumbled backward to the mat. Font tried to capitalize on the mat, but Almeida was able to seemingly avoid more damage and recover. Almeida got back to his feet and Font was still sneaking in big shots. Font was unable to find the finish, and Almeida was trying to throw kicks back. Font, however, landed another hard right hand and a head kick and Almeida went flailing to the mat. Font dove on him and finished him off. The win for Font especially with a finish like that is so impressive. His right hands were on point and that finish with the head kick was highlight reel stuff. Font should jump into the Top 10, and then face another Top 10 opponent his next time out.
Two Light Heavyweights were up next as Gian Villante (16-8) went up against Francimar “Bodeo” Barroso (19-6 1NC). Villante led out with a gigantic right hand over the top. Barosso landed a leg kick. The action was very slow paced through the first minute and a half. Villante snuck in a hard uppercut that pushed Barroso back. Villante was just walking Barroso back, not landing really, but just stalking him looking to land. Barroso was looking to throw a spinning back fist but instead ate a hard low kick. The two traded hard low kicks, and it was more of the same with Villante moving forward and missing with shots. Villante landed a hard right hand just prior to the round coming to an end. Villante came out landing hard shots early in round 2. His punches were landing and he was looking to land big power shots on Barroso. Villante also was ripping leg kicks as well. There was a low kick that halted the action briefly. Villante landed a few more shots, and Barroso came back with a few punches and a hard leg kick. Villante was just plodding forward and coming at Barroso. The leg kicks and body punches from Barroso were starting to add up and Villante was walking a bit gingerly. However, he just kept walking forward and throwing big punches and connecting partially. They touched gloves to start round 3 and Villante landed a hard right hand. Barroso landed a hard leg kick and Villante came back with a gigantic flurry. Barroso was able to avoid and land a hard kick to the body. Barroso landed a right hand over the top, but nothing after that and it was more of Villante coming forward and picking his shots. These two traded some shots back and forth, but there was almost no action. This fight mercifully came to an end and the judges scored this one 30-27 Villante, 29-28 Barroso, and 30-27 for Gian Villante. I am unsure how any judge had a round let alone two for Barroso so that was strange, but the win for Villante is big. The fight was not the most entertaining, but a win is a win and GIan Villante was the better fighter tonight.
Two talented up and comers were next as Calvin Kattar (18-2) took on undefeated prospect Shane “Hurricane” Burgos (10-1). Burgos immediately took the center of the Octagon and was looking to find his range early. Kattar landed a nice straight right, and a leg kick to boot. Kattar hit a nice jab the body shot that landed hard. Kattar landed another hard jab. Burgos responded with a straight body shot and push kick to the body. Kattar landed another jab that snapped Burgo’s head back. Burgos was really working the body with digging shots. The jab was continuing to work for Kattar and then had to eat a leg kick from Burgos. More jabs from Kattar continued to land. Kattar landed a hard right hand and then a front kick to the chin of Burgos just prior to the round coming to an end. More jabs from Kattar to start round 2. Burgos answered with a shot of his own and multiple leg kicks. Kattar was just absolutely crushing Burgos with jabs over and over again. Burgos came back with a combination and then tried to go for a takedown, which Burgos stuffed. Burgos landed a few nice shots wheel defending, but on the break, Kattar landed a hard elbow. Burgos however just continued to move forward and landed more shots to the bod. Burgos backed Kattar up to the fence with multiple body shots and a hard shot to the head that was partially blocked. Burgos was starting to find a home for his hands. Burgos kept working shots to the body while avoiding the jab of Kattar. Burgos blocked two front kicks and landed a hard leg kick to close out round 2. To start round 3 Kattar landed a hard right that appeared to stumble Burgos. Then an uppercut followed by a second one to completely floor Shane Burgos. Kattar came diving in and just was destroying him with hammer fists. Calvin Kattar is a scary prospect and proved that he has the finishing power. To stop a guy like Burgos who was a big favorite was very impressive, and outside of a few moments in round 2 this was a fight he really controlled. He is going to be very fun to watch going forward at 145lbs.
The Co-Main event was next and was for the Light Heavyweight Title as Daniel “DC” Cormier (20-1 1NC Light Heavyweight Champion) took on Volkan “No Time” Oezdemir (15-2 #2 Ranked Light Heavyweight). Oezdemir came right out immediately swinging for the knockout blow Oezdemir landed two decent left hands as DC tried to come in a clinch. Oezdemir was the aggressor early pressuring DC and trying to land some short left hands. DC returned fire with a big right hand and then faked a takedown. DC continued to rush forward and ate another big left hand from Oezdemir. Oezdemir was trying to find his range, and then DC landed a hard right hand that stunned Oezdemir. DC continued to come forward and landed another big right hand. Oezdemir was covering up and DC was continuing to throw big shot. Oezdemir’s eye was cut, and DC was starting to land. DC caught a body kick late and forced it into a takedown with about 10 seconds left in the round. DC took his back and locked in a rear naked choke that only didn’t finish the fight because the horn sounded. DC led off with 2 solid jabs to start and then immediately grabbed a single leg and immediately got into full mount. DC then moved to a crucifix position and DC was just peppering him with shots. He continued to just lay out more shots on Oezdemir until the ref chose to step n and call this one. DC proved that he is the best Light Heavyweight in the UFC outside of the one guy who can’t stop being suspended. This was just an unbelievably skillful fight and finish from DC, and he got in and out in fewer than 2 and a half rounds.
The Main event was up as Stipe Miocic (18-2 Heavyweight Champion) was looking to make history against Francis “The Predator” Ngannou (11-2 #1 Ranked Heavyweight). Stipe came out and almost immediately goes for the single leg takedown. He had Ngannou down for a second, but it got right back to the feet. Stipe went back for the takedown again, but Ngannou stayed on his feet. Ngannou was throwing absolute bombs, but Stipe was using his head movement to stay out of trouble early. Ngannou was trying to pressure him. Stipe landed a nice right hand that connected. Stipe grabbed on to Ngannou and pressed him up against the cage. Ngannou was able to muscle himself out of the position and they were back in the center of the cage. Ngannou was swinging with bad intentions, but could not find a home. Stipe landed a nice right hand that landed on Ngannou’s chin. Stipe landed another right hand over the jab of Ngannou. Stipe then changed levels and landed a double leg takedown and ended up in side control. Stipe postured up and landed some serious ground and pound. Stipe went for a guillotine, but let go and we were back on the feet. Stipe landed another hard right hand. Ngannou was throwing hard uppercuts that were just missing. The two traded big shots back and forth with the champion getting the better of the exchanges and ending the round on a takedown. Stipe threw an inside leg kick to start round 2. A right hand and a left to follow landed for Stipe. Ngannou came back with a right hand of his own. Ngannou was already visibly fatigued and very slow, and Stipe was able to stay away from his punches. Stipe threatened for a takedown, and backed out. Stipe landed another hard right hand, and went for a takedown that took Francis all the way across the cage and it was completed. Ngannou was trying to get up, but Stipe was just draped on him. Stipe was just holding him against the cage and putting all of his weight on him. Stipe grabbed for a late rear naked choke, but ran out of time. The 3rd round was next and it started with a shot from Stipe for a takedown, and Ngannou was able to avoid it. Stipe had Ngannou pressed up against the cage however and was holding him there. Ngannou tried to push Stipe away, but he had nothing behind it and was now on all fours against the cage with Stipe putting all his weight on him. Ngannou did get back to his feet, but he was throwing punches at about .05 miles per hours. Then out of nowhere Ngannou lands a huge left that got Stipe’s attention. Stipe immediately went for a takedown and secured it. Stipe was in half guard trying to unload punches on Ngannou. Stipe immediately starts round 4 with a single leg to a double leg takedown. Stipe was able to literally stand and turn around and dive back down before Francis could even consider getting up. Stipe was just all over him with pressure on the mat. Stipe just continued to power through with punches on the mat and Stipe took the round to the bell on top. We somehow headed to round 5 and Stipe latched on very early. We saw the clinch game against the cage from Stipe. Francis stuffed a takedown and he tried for a guillotine, but there was nothing there. There was a lull in the action that forced a reset from Herb Dean. Stipe lunged in landing a nice left hand. Ngannou absolutely needing a finish just had no energy to even throw. Ngannou tired for a flying knee, but instead found himself pressed up against the cage in the clinch. That is where the fight ended and the judges would decide the Heavyweight Title. They scored it 50-44 across the board for the Heavyweight Champion with the most defenses in UFC history Stipe Miocic. This was the perfect fight for Stipe. He fought exactly how he had to. Stipe avoided the early onslaught and then just abused an exhausted Ngannou. Stipe has one challenger left to really cement himself as the best Heavyweight of all time and that is Cain Velasquez (14-2 #4 Ranked Heavyweight).
UFC 220 was a really great card. From fight one even though the decisions that card was really fun. The main card was super entertaining including two champions that proved they deserve to be at the top of their respective division. The Daniel Cormier victory and the Stipe Miocic victory put an exclamation point on a great night of fights. The UFC takes 0 weeks off and comes back next week on FOX with a Top 10 Middleweight Matchup between Jiu-Jitsu specialist Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (24-5 #3 Ranked Middleweight) rematching Derek Brunson (18-5 #8 Ranked Middleweight). The UFC is in for a big 2018 and this was just the start.
