The UFC annually stages one of its biggest cards of the year during the first week of July in what it calls “International Fight Week”, which includes the UFC Hall of Fame Induction. This year two legends in Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov and Daniel “DC” Cormier were inducted into the hall. The UFC stacks this event every year. The two title fights headlining the card were somewhat disappointing in their non-competitiveness. The main card opener was also anticlimactic due to the fight being stopped and called a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. But the card provided incredibly entertaining moments in Alex Pereira’s performance and the barnburner between Brian Barberena and the iconic “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler.
Accidental Eye Poke Results in Disappointing No Contest for O’Malley vs. Munhoz
“Suga” Sean O’Malley is a must-watch rising UFC bantamweight prospect due to his combination of slick movement and striking to go along with his excellent promotional skills. O’Malley has started 7-1 in the UFC as the promotion has done a good job building O’Malley with matchmaking. O’Malley’s only setback came against Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 252 in August 2020. Since that loss, O’Malley his finished his last three fights by either KO or TKO stoppages. However in Pedro Munhoz, O’Malley was facing his stiffest test to date. Munhoz has been at the top of the food chain in the Bantamweight division for the last four or five years and boasts wins over top bantamweight Jimmie Rivera and a first round KO over former division champion Cody “No Love” Garbrandt. While Munhoz had lost four of his last five bouts, all four losses came against fighters with championship pedigree.
The first round started slowly with a lengthy feeling out process. Pedro Munhoz was content to attack with low kicks from range throughout the round, but did little else in the opening frame. In fact, per UFC stats, Munhoz landed exactly 0 strikes to the head during the fight. “Suga” Sean O’Malley, on the other hand, took some time to get going as he repeatedly feinted but landed only 15 strikes in the round. O’Malley scored with kicks, jabs and a couple of solid right hands. He also landed a nifty spinning back kick at the end of the round. The lack of activity made the opening round difficult to score, but O’Malley likely rated the edge.
The fight was stopped at 3:09 of Round 2 and ruled a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. The second round, like the first, didn’t provide much action. Munoz continued to attack with leg kicks and O’Malley had a bit of success with his jab, landing one particularly stinging jab shortly before the accidental foul.
The eye poke happened as Munhoz was charging forward to attack with punches (finally) and O’Malley extended his arms with his hands open and fingers pointing directly upward as fighters are instructed to do if they open their fingers to parry strikes. It appeared to be a pretty bad eye poke, with O’Malley’s ring finger contacting Munoz’s closed right eye. During the referee stoppage and before the fight was called off, Munhoz told referee Jason Herzog that he couldn’t see out of the damaged eye.
Brian Barberena and Robbie Lawler Engage in Barnburner Fight of the Night
All due respect to “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler as an icon of the sport, but prior to this fight I asked myself what in the world is the UFC doing trotting Lawler out on such a high profile card. Thankfully the UFC’s matchmaking made me look foolish as this fight was the most entertaining of the evening. Both combatants happily traded heavy strikes in the pocket in an incredible back-and-forth clash while it lasted.
Lawler opened the fight looking pretty damn good, throwing heat, connecting and doing damage. The pace he kept at 40 years old was impressive and he did not appear to get tired. “Bam Bam” Barberena had his moments in the first round. However, Lawler had Barberena stunned midway through the round with a massive uppercut. Lawler also landed a 1-2 from hell later in the round. Barberena has an incredible chin as he quickly recovered from the uppercut, and stayed busy during the round and landed frequently himself. Lawler likely won the first round though, landing the heavier and more damaging blows.
In Round 2, Lawler took the early lead, landing an effective jab that was snapping Barberena’s head back, as well as continuing to land power shots. Barberena displayed an incredible chin and midway through the round started to seriously up his output. Barberena’s hands at one point seemed to be pawing at Lawler with constant activity for a seeming eternity. Late in the round, Barberena turned the tide of the fight with his non-stop forward pressure and some nasty step-in elbows. The finishing sequence started with a huge right hook that badly hurt Lawler. Barberena was relentless as he hammered Lawler with punches to earn the TKO stoppage at 4:47 of Round 2.
Alex Pereira Likely Earns Title Shot With Incredible KO of Sean Strickland
Alex Pereira came into the UFC with much hype due to his 2-0 kickboxing record against current Middleweight champ Israel Adesanya. Any fan or media mention of that second kickboxing bout seems to particularly get under Adesanya’s skin as he had Pereira hurt early in that fight only to lose via a vicious left hook KO. Pereira brings some of the best striking and biggest power a fighter can bring into the arena. Pereira started his UFC career displaying that power with an impressive flying knee TKO against Andreas Michailidas. In this, his third UFC bout, Pereira was given a fast track path to a shot at the title against the highly regarded and #4 ranked Middleweight Sean Strickland.
Say what you will about some of the wacky things Strickland says, but the man is non-stop forward pressure and brings solid striking himself, with a particularly nasty and effective jab. Strickland entered the fight on a 6-fight win streak over quality opposition.
Credit Strickland’s bravery in this fight as many thought he would be foolish to stand and trade with such a dangerous and credentialed striker as Pereira. While the fight lasted, Strickland marched ahead with his usual forward pressure. Pereira’s footwork was impressive as he circled backwards to avoid any damaging blows from Strickland, while landing leg kicks, feeling the distance, reading Strickland and landing jabs.
Pereira absolutely starched Strickland with a hammer of a left hook that landed perfectly and knocked Strickland over sideways. Strickland, after getting his chin detonated and knocked over onto one hand and one knee, somehow miraculously was able to briefly regain his feet. But Pereira immediately pounced and another hammer of a right hand put Strickland to sleep. Pereira, for good measure, actually landed a second right hand on Strickland’s forehead as he was falling backward to the canvas from the previous right hand.
Pereira has likely earned a title shot with this performance and the former two-division Glory kickboxing champion looks like serious trouble for Adesanya.
Alexander Volkanovski Dominant in Third Win Over Max Holloway
Alexander Volkanovski put on an incredible performance in this trilogy bout against Max “Blessed” Holloway as he defended his Featherweight belt for the fourth time. It was a total shutout as all three judges scored the bout 50-45 in favor of the Australian champ. The first round was somewhat close, although Volkanovski definitely rated the clear edge as he showed faster hands and better timing with his strikes. Holloway had some success in Round 1 when he threw extended combinations. Volkanovski used an effective jab throughout the bout and landed frequent damaging 1-2s. Midway through the second round, Volkanovski cracked Holloway with a counter right hand that opened a deep but over Max’s left eye. The cut was in a bad place directly above the middle of the eye and was a problem for Holloway throughout the remainder of the fight. Round 4 was also somewhat close, but the balance of the fight was dominant for Volkanovski.
Regardless of the outcome, Holloway is regarded as one of the greatest featherweights in the history of the UFC. However, his three losses to Volkanovski put him in a tough spot in the division going forward. As for Volkanovski, he has his eye on challenging for the lightweight title and hopes to take the 155 pound belt and stay busy and defend both belts.
Israel Adesanya Defends Middleweight Belt in Ho Hum Decision Victory Over Jared Cannonier
Israel Adesanya is unquestionably a great champion. However, some of his recent fights, and particularly this most recent title defense has been panned as lackluster. In Adesanya’s defense, he fought a tactical fight as he used his superior length to out-strike Jared Cannonier from distance. Moreover, Cannonier fought overly cautious and did nothing to push or challenge the champion. It was a disappointing performance from Cannonier who was billed as a title challenger who wouldn’t show Adesanya too much respect. Many thought Cannonier would be willing to march forward through the wood chipper that Adesanya can be in order to land his power with the intention to change the trajectory of the middleweight division. Unfortunately, Cannonier was not up to that task. Considering the power and precision of Adesanya’s striking, however, it is not all too surprising how this one turned out. It’s hard to criticize a great champion for being tactical and fighting a smart, cautious fight that earns a title defense. But finishes and exciting fights clearly matter for a champion’s legacy and when comparing and ranking former champions.
Alex Pereira’s spectacular striking and power (on full display in his finish of Sean Strickland) and his 2-0 kickboxing record against Adesanya will likely bring out a more urgent Adesanya in their anticipated title tilt which will hopefully be set for sometime later this year.