After taking a few weeks off with all the smaller cards going on we’re back to break down a full slate of fights. With a heavyweight championship upset, a fight of the year contender in the UFC, and Merab Dvalishvili’s impossible comeback, not even the pathetic performance in Nate Diaz’s (re)retirement fight could take away from the excitement of this weekend.
After watching Joshua vs. Usyk, I assumed that would have been the fight of the week. Then Dvalishvili’s comeback made me consider whether his impressive performance outweighed a great twelve-round fight. In the end it didn’t matter (though both were good enough that I want to mention each, even if only briefly) because UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (23-1) and challenger Brian Ortega (15-2) delivered what I consider the lead candidate for fight of the year.
The first round started slow as the fighters felt each other out but quickly escalated as they began throwing with greater confidence. Volkanovski invested heavily in leg kicks early, both for their own sake and as a means to set up punches. Though Volkanovski got the better of most of the exchanges, Ortega was able to land a jab that produced a cut under Volkanovski’s right eye. The second round picked up where the first left off, with both fighters landing often. Once again Volkanovski was able to best Ortega in the majority of exchanges, including the strongest combination of the fight to that point, but when he tried for a takedown it was stuffed. Much like the first, Ortega was able to land strikes that caused Volkanovski to bleed. It was unclear at the time whether the blood running from the champion’s ear was a continuation of the stream Ortega opened up on the top of his head or was a third, independent source of blood. Ortega also managed to get the cut from the first round to bleed more heavily, and it was starting to become a concern. Fortunately Volkanovski’s corner handled it sufficiently and the second round was the last time it was a concern.
The third round was when the fight really took off. It started when Volkanovski threw a low kick, leaving him off balance when Ortega countered. Though technically a knockdown, the punch itself didn’t seem to hurt Volkanovski and was more a result of positioning, an unfortunate side effect of what had been Volkanovski’s best weapon. Ortega literally jumped at the opportunity he’d created, initiating a guillotine from mount. It was in tight; Volkanovski was later quoted saying “It was ‘oh f—, I’m about to lose the belt’ deep.” He squirmed, seemingly trapped, with no real leverage or positioning advantage, as his face grew as red as Dana White’s when someone suggests he pay fighters better. Ultimately he was able to create just enough separation to breathe, causing Ortega to relinquish his grip. As they scrambled on the ground Ortega made a few more attempts at re-establishing the guillotine, but Volkanovski was able to fend them off before they got as dangerous as the first one had.
Volkanovski was eventually able to gain mount and barrage Ortega with blows from above. What was most impressive is that his offense erased the submission attempt in the eyes of the judges. Volkanovski won the round on all three cards with his late flurry.
Between the third and fourth round Ortega, whose eye was nearly swollen shut, was examined by the doctor and deemed fit to continue. Much like the third round, Ortega got a deep triangle choke that had the potential to end the fight, but Volkanovski was able to escape, get on top of Ortega, and continue to rain hell from above. Going into the fifth round Ortega’s corner could be heard telling him he’s earning it, and that he needs to continue to earn it if he’s going to win the fight. The fifth round had less excitement overall, but was still wildly entertaining as Volkanovski tried to fend off an Ortega who wouldn’t stop coming forward no matter how much damage he accrued. Though Ortega didn’t earn the belt, he earned respect from fans for his grit and the entertainment this fight provided. So too did Volkanovski, who haven’t taken to him like other champions, perhaps due to the nature of his past two fights, both close decision wins over fan favorite Max Holloway (22-6).
This marks Volkanovski’s tenth consecutive win since coming to the UFC, making him just the fifth fighter to rattle off such a streak to start their tenure with the promotion. For his next move he’s suggested a trilogy fight with Holloway, so long as Holloway is able to defeat Yair Rodriguez (13-2) in November. If Holloway loses, Volkanovski is eyeing a jump up to lightweight.
The jump to lightweight would be concerning for Volkanovski size-wise, as he’s just 5’6” and already shorter than twelve of his last thirteen opponents. Though he does have a 71” reach and a very effective jab even against bigger opponents, the top contenders at lightweight all have a significant advantage in reach, height, or both. A Holloway win would give Volkanovski another solid payday and hopefully solidify his stance atop the featherweight in the minds of skeptics.
Anthony Joshua vs. Alexander Usyk
As mentioned above, the UFC main event wasn’t the only thriller this week. Former undisputed cruiserweight champion Alexander Usyk (19-0) dethroned Anthony Joshua (24-2) to become the unified heavyweight champion in a fight that was competitive but not particularly close. Despite his impressive run at cruiserweight, beating the who’s who of the division, it is one of the weaker weight classes in boxing. In his first two fights at heavyweight he defeated journeyman Chazz Witherspoon (38-4) and former title challenger Dereck Chisora (32-11) in uninspiring performances. As a result many people (myself included) felt that Joshua would have a relatively easy time with Usyk. Despite Usyk’s incredible boxing skill it seemed in the first two fights that he didn’t have the power to get respect at the top ranks of the heavyweight division. In turn, I expected Usyk to bank some early rounds despite his reputation as a relatively slow starter. As the fight wore on, however, he’d slow due to the repeat power shots from fighters like Joshua. Fortunately for Usyk, that didn’t happen.
Key Takeaways
Either the heavyweight version of Usyk fights to the level of his competition or he was right to work his way up to Joshua, because he would not have won if he’d put on the same performance he turned in against Witherspoon or Chisora. His next fight will make the answer more clear.
Anthony Joshua landed what seemed to be the harder shots, but it seemed Usyk was unfazed. On the flip side Usyk, whose power seemed to be more of a “culmination of shots” type than the single big shots, was the one hurting Joshua.
Joshua was fighting scared. Since his knockout loss to Ruiz he’s been boxing more and fighting less. He’s slick enough to out-box Kubrat Pulev and apparently Andy Ruiz, but if he sticks with this style he probably won’t be Usyk in a rematch, Fury will out-box him, and Wilder will eventually catch him. Joshua’s strength was his combination of decent (by heavyweight standards) boxing ability and raw power. The pendulum has swung too far toward the boxing, and it’s not working for him.
It might be time for Joshua to get a new corner. His strategy wasn’t working early, and despite some slight adjustments helping in the middle rounds, his trainer was telling him to focus on the jab. Usyk had been faster and getting the better of exchanges due to Joshua’s laziness when getting his hands back. Centering the jab wasn’t going to change the course of the fight.
Usyk is the real deal. He likely won’t be able to beat Fury, and I don’t think he’ll be able to stay away from Wilder’s right for an entire fight, but he proved he’s a better fighter than AJ, who was firmly in the top three fighters in the division.
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Marlon Moraes
I honestly don’t have much to say about this fight other than “Wow.” Merab Dvalishvili mounted one of the most impressive comebacks I’ve seen in awhile. He’s one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC right now, because no matter what he does not stop pressing the action. If you’re watching one guy that’s on the rise, my opinion is that it should be Merab Dvalishvili.
Other Notable Results
Valentina Shevchenko defeats Lauren Murphy (TKO 4)
Robbie Lawler defeats Nick Diaz (TKO 3)
Curtis Blaydes defeats Jarizinho Rozenstruik (UD)
Jessica Andrade defeats Cynthia Calvillo (TKO 1)
Oscar Valdez tested positive for the banned substance phentermine. The substance is a weight loss drug, but because the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association prohibits the substance “in competition” the WBC allowed Valdez to defend his super featherweight title. He defeated Robson Conceição via unanimous decision.
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Caleb Plant came to blows at their press conference ahead of their November 6 fight for the title of undisputed champion of super middleweight. Canelo pushed Plant after the latter allegedly called Canelo “motherf—” and a “drug cheat.”1 Plant retorted with an open-hand slap, which Canelo countered with a punch. The two were separated and the fight is still on for the original date despite the cut that was opened below Plant’s eye.
Jon Jones was arrested again in Las Vegas following his UFC Hall of Fame induction. Jones was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery and tampering with a vehicle. This is the latest legal incident of many for Jones.
Aljamain Sterling was pulled from his rematch with Petr Yan for medical reasons. Yan lost the first fight and the UFC bantamweight title via disqualification after an illegal knee to a downed opponent.
UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Walker Saturday 10/2, 7:00 PM (EST)
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Alvarez tested positive for banned substance clenbuterol in 2018. Alvarez attributed the positive test to meat tainted with the substance.