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The UFC returned to the Meta APEX in Las Vegas to strictly adhere to the rule: all those cards from which little is expected always exceed expectations. In an event full of great fights, the icing on the cake was put by Renato Moicano (21-7-1), who submitted Chris Duncan (15-3) in the second round to return to winning ways after two consecutive defeats and prove that he is still relevant in the lightweight division, cutting short the rise of the Scottish fighter with a trademark finish.
Duncan admitted before the event that he had trained with Moicano before and had run over him thanks to his grappling, but that this time would be different. That would be a small clue as to what would happen in the main event of the card, as Renato used his skills in ground fighting to batter Duncan and find the submission in the second round with a rear naked choke.
In the main event, Virna Jandiroba (23-4) also found her own redemption by defeating Tabatha Ricci (12-4) by unanimous decision to bounce back from her last loss to Mackenzie Dern for the vacant women's strawweight title. In grappling, there are few fighters as skilled as Virna, and this victory puts her back in the hunt for another title shot
Two big names for the future
However, there were two other great protagonists beyond the two main fights. The first was Abdulrakhman Yakhyaev (9-0), who submitted Brendson Ribeiro (17-10, 1 NC) in the first round to once again demonstrate why he is one of the UFC's greatest rough diamonds. That's two fights in the UFC light heavyweight division for the Turkish fighter and two first-round finishes - seven in his entire career. If he continues like this, we will soon see him fighting for great things
The second name is that of Tommy McMillen (10-0), a teammate of Sean O'Malley, who finished Manolo Zecchini (11-5) in the first round to make his UFC debut in style after earning the contract with the UFC a few months ago in Dana White's Contender Series. In addition, Ethyn Ewing (10-2) extended his fairy tale in the company with his second victory in two fights, taking the undefeated Rafael Estevam (14-1) to prove that in the bantamweight division there are few fighters as promising as him
The preliminaries do not disappoint
The preliminary card was also not far behind, as Thomas Petersen (11-4) also ended the undefeated record of Gilherme Pat (6-1) in the heavyweight division by unanimous decision - he was close to finishing him - and Alessandro Costa (15-5) knocked out Stewart Nicoll (11-5) in the flyweight division to enter a division that is getting more and more colorful
The fight of the night was possibly Azamat Bekoev (20-5) against Tresan Gore (7-4), where both fighters gave it their all until Gore ended up submitting him in the third round to settle once and for all the beef they had been having for some time. In addition, Alice Pereira (7-1) knocked out Hailey Cowan (7-5) in the second round and Lando Vanatta (12-8-2) was finished in the same way by Darrius Flowers (13-8-1) in another of the most outstanding performances of the event.
Billboard results
Main card
Renato Moicano defeated Chris Duncan by submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 2, 3:14
Virna Jandiroba defeated Tabatha Ricci by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev defeated Brendson Ribeiro via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 2:52
Ethyn Ewing defeated Rafael Estevam via TKO (punches) - Round 3, 1:44
Tommy McMillen defeated Manolo Zecchini via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 3:57
Jose Delano defeated Robert Ruchala by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27).
Preliminary card
Thomas Petersen defeated Guilherme Pat by majority decision (28-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Alessandro Costa defeated Stewart Nicoll by technical knockout (punches) - Round 2, 4:56
Darrius Flowers defeated Lando Vannata via TKO (punches) - Round 2, 0:52
Alice Pereira defeated Hailey Cowan by knockout (knee) - Round 2, 4:24
Tresean Gore defeated Azamat Bekoev via technical submission (Guillotine) - Round 3, 3:27
Dione Barbosa defeated Melissa Gatto by majority decision (28-28, 29-27, 29-27).
Kai Kamaka III defeated Dakota Hope by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).