UFC Vegas 66: On Saturday, Jared Cannonier, a former middleweight title contender, defeated Sean Strickland by a split decision in the UFC’s penultimate contest of 2022. Throughout a five-round main event that mostly took place on the feet, Cannonier (16-6) outpointed Strickland (25-5). The preliminary card had seven fights, while the main card featured six. Given that there were only four knockouts across all the fights, most of them finished in unanimous decisions. Follow UFC News Updates with InsideSport.In
Let us take a close look at the four knockouts in UFC Vegas 66
- Amir Albazi defeats Alessandro Costa
Amir Albazi already has two submission wins under his belt in the octagon, but he has now added a knockout. The Iraqi native improved his striking throughout his contest with Alessandro Costa, but at UFC Vegas 66, a devastating uppercut in the third gave him the victory. Albazi timed his punch as he entered the fray; Costa’s head twisted like a bottle cap as he dropped to the ground, and the battle was over shortly after. The third round’s official end time was 2:13.
Amir Albazi is a BAAAADD MAN 👊💥 @AmirAlbazi stays undefeated in the Octagon! #UFCVegas66 pic.twitter.com/eCBthFiprL
— UFC (@ufc) December 18, 2022
- Alex Caceres defeats Julian Erosa
Midway through the first round, the 11-year UFC veteran abruptly ended Julian Erosa’s night with a spectacular head kick. As they continued to trade punches, Caceres attempted a powerful left hook, but it missed as Erosa ducked to escape it. Erosa appeared clear until Caceres unleashed the head kick while he seemed entirely off balance.
BANG 💥 #UFCVegas66 pic.twitter.com/xmjqHBukPc
— UFC (@ufc) December 18, 2022
Erosa somehow took the kick to the jaw, and due to the severity of the hit he had just taken, he slumped back onto the canvas. Caceres’ finish was impressive, especially in light of the strange angle at which he launched the kick. Since entering the UFC in 2011, Caceres has won six of his last seven fights, improving to 6-1 overall. This is likely the veteran’s best run in the organization.
- Drew Dober defeats Bobby Green
Bobby Green learned the hard way at UFC Vegas 66 that Drew Dober always has a puncher’s chance. Dober continued to forward and unleash massive hooks, just chasing Green’s chin after taking a lot of punches in the opening half of their battle. He finally got Green with a left hook that landed, but the move that came next put an end to the bout. At 2:45 in the second round, Dober landed a decisive blow, and this time Green was knocked down to the mat.
- Michal Oleksiejczuk defeats Cody Brundage via TKO
At UFC Vegas 66, Michal Oleksiejczuk had a sluggish start before roaring back for an impressive finish. Early on, Oleksiejczuk was dominated on the ground, but he turned things around by climbing onto Cody Brundage and landing devastating blows. Oleksiejczuk continued swinging hammers with Brundage pinned below him until Brundage went limp, causing the referee to call time on the fight. The fight ended in the first round; the finish time was 3:16.
Starting off the main card with a BANG💥 Michal Oleksiejczuk gets the finish in round 1️⃣ #UFCVegas66 pic.twitter.com/QhhBPPqeUj
— UFC (@ufc) December 18, 2022
Also Read: UFC Vegas 66: Cristiano Ronaldo sampled at Cannonier vs Strickland event
UFC Vegas 66: Main Card
- Jared Cannonier def. Sean Strickland via split decision (49-46, 46-49, 49-46)
- Arman Tsarukyan def. Damir Ismagulov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Amir Albazi def. Alessandro Costa via KO (punches) at 2:13 of Round 3
- Alex Caceres def. Julian Erosa via KO (head kick and punches) at 3:04 of Round 1
- Drew Dober def. Bobby Green via KO (punches) at 2:45 of Round 2
- Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Cody Brundage via TKO (punches) at 3:16 of Round 1
Preliminary Card
- Cory McKenna def. Cheyanne Vlismas via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Matthew Semelsberger def. Jake Matthews via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Said Nurmagomedov def. Saidyokub Kakhramonov via submission (guillotine choke) at 3:50 of Round 2
- Rafa Garcia def. Hayisaer Maheshate via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Bryan Battle via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-27)
- Manel Kape def. David Dvorak via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Sergey Morozov def. Journey Newson via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
