#ufc281

Standing TKO along the fence for Poatan!

After two really competitive rounds, Pereira was in a really good position. He was hurting Izzy through that 2nd round and even scored the td. But a bad trip attempt in the 3rd leg to a long round of Izzy out grappling him from the top. He looked exhausted in the 4th, getting picked off by the fresher Izzy. But in the 5th, Pereira pressed. Like he had all fight, he put Izzy on the fence and just refused to let him get away. Landed a nice cross into an uppercut with the same hand before cracking him with a left hook that basically singled the end. Izzy, who had used the clinch to great success all fight long as a resting/safety position, couldn’t even try to tie up as he went into survival mode.

Another FOTY contender for both men as they really came to do work tonight. Chandler, as he does, got off to a hot start. Was landing well early with quick strikes to Poirier’s body before he started landing those huge overhand/hooks upstairs (though a lot of those seemed to wrap around the back of Poirier’s head. Poirier weathered the onslaught though and closed the first round out basically hitting Chandler like a heavybag with every big shot he was throwing. Came out in the 2nd round and basically broke Chandler’s nose. Chandler recovered with a takedown and was able to recover in top position, riding on Poirier’s back and guard for most of the round. Tried to go for the takedown in the 3rd again but Poirier reverses and ends up on top. Chandler tries to explode out only to give up his back for the RNC where he is forced to tap.

When so much of your game is predicated on exploding into and out of bad positions, this is the outcome sometimes. Especially against high level fighters.

A choke from the crucifix?!

New champion at 115lbs and it’s a former champ. Weili becomes the 3rd woman to win back the strawweight title.

Esparza kept it competitive but Zhang had the clear edge throughout. For all of Zhang’s physical prowess and increased wrestling ability, she is still not a great technical grappler. She tried to use an Esparza single leg attempt (I think off her body kick) to jump to Esparza’s back. She defended a takedown beautifully in the 1st (off a kick) and 2nd (shot) and still allowed Esparza to extend the grappling exchange because she was too quick to try to take the back. It worked out for her because she is just a brick house in terms of strength. She captured Esparza’s arm and head+shoulder with the rear crucifix and was able to free her trapped arm for a RNC choke that got Esparza to tap.

Esparza looked caught out in the worst way on the feet. Single overhands in between Zhang piecing her up at the edge of her range. Zhang isn’t even strong leading, but Esparza’s only answer for her was to create as much space as possible. If Esparza feinted more and drew out the long exchanges we know Zhang likes, she might have had an easier time getting advantageous positions for takedowns.