UFC 284 went down last night in Perth, Australia. It was a really fun night of fights so let’s jump right into the takeaways.  

Banger Of A Fight Kicks Off The Main Card With Disappointing Draw

A banger fight opened the card as Jimmy Crute’s grappling clashed with Alonzo Menifield’s power striking. The fight ended somewhat disappointingly in a draw as both men had success in their respective domain. The first round set the tone for a wild fight. Crute had some success with his wrestling but the round ultimately had to be Menifield’s. With about tow minutes remaining in the opening frame the combatants slugged it out in a big exchange and a hard left hook from Menifield staggered Crute. Crute for some reason then attempted a head kick and fell onto his back. Menifield landed some big left hands as he had back control with Crute folded over on his knees. After taking punishment via ground and pound for a good bit, Crute burst to his feet with 15 seconds to go in the round only to be rudely greeted by a nasty elbow off the clinch break and a hard jab and two big right hands that knocked the Australian to the canvas.

Credit Crute though for weathering Menifield’s power and not going away. Crute started the second round looking like he was wearing it, compared to Menifield who looked fresh. Early in the round, Menifield once more staggered Crute with a left hand. Another left hand sent Crute back to the canvas as he fell backward onto his arse. Crute was able to get up without taking too much damage and later in the round landed a solid knee. Later in the round Crute got  single leg and went for an RNC and appeared to be under the chin but wasn’t able to get the tap. This was a close round as Menifield once more had success on the feet, seemingly nearly putting Crute out in one slugging exchange. One more thing, Pat Barry is a trip. Just prior to the final round his instructions to Menifield included, “He’s starting to feel good, give him a reason not to. Put the quick hand on his face, brah. Y’all don’t gotta be in the clinch. It’s five minutes muthafucka. This is what we been doing. This is what we been doing. This is what we been getting ready for. Five!” Beautiful.

To start the final round Menifield had more striking success. But Menifield was deducted a point for a fence grab in this round, resulting in the draw. An unfortunate event as Menifield would have won the fight but for the point deduction. Both fighter expressed an interest in running this one back. At 35 Menifield is short on time if he wants to make a run. Crute, at 26 years old, is a prospect to watch.

Justin Tafa Sparks Parker Porter With Big Power in First Round

Justin “Bad Man” Tafa (great fight name!) outclassed Parker Porter in this fight with a beautiful knockout. The Bad Man applied the death touch at 1:06 of the very first round. Parker overextended a bit and Taf took a small step back before firing his left hand and connecting clean on the chin. As Porter was out and on the way down Tafa touched him with the right hand to boot. Parker was out cold and Tafa didn’t even follow up as he walked off like a G and the crowd went wild for the big Kiwi fighter. In the post fight interview, asked for his assessment Tafa said simply “If you reach, I’ve gotta teach you.” Lovely.

Jack Della Maddalena Once More Shows Big Power That Leads to Submission

Jack Della Maddalena secured his fourth consecutive first round finish as he tapped Randy Brown with a RNC after hurting the Jamaican born Randy Brown on the feet. Brown started well, using his movement and reach to stay on the outside as he clearly intended to snipe from a distance. But Della Maddlena had other ideas and the first time he lunged forward to let rip he connected with a big right hook that sent Brown tumbling over into a direct faceplant. Della Maddalena quickly pounced and was working furious hammerfists. From there he quickly applied the RNC and produced a very quick tap from the clearly compromised Brown.

Della Madellena is a highly talented prospect to keep an eye on. The Perth native is one of those fighters who lost his first two fights and figured it out and went on a tear to the tune of 14 consecutive wins. It will be interesting to see who the UFC pairs him with next as he looks to put a number next to his name.

Yair Rodriguez Wins Interim Featherweight Title With Destruction of Josh Emmett

Yair Rodriguez is one of the best assets the UFC has going what with his incredible athleticism, kicking game and Mexican fighting spirit. Recall his last second ridiculous up elbow of Chan Sung Jung as evidence of the man’s flair for the dramatic. But Rodriguez can be a holy terror of the highest order when he gets his striking going like he did last night. Rodriguez repeatedly hammered Josh Emmet with body kicks and immediately followed up with accurate hands to the face as he overwhelmed and simply broke down the American. Which is no small feat as anyone familiar with Emmett knows he is  truck.

Not simply a striking savant, Rodriguez took home the interim strap with a triangle choke. The finishing sequence started as Rodriguez hammered Emmett with a jumping knee but fell onto his back after landing the strike on the already severely compromised Emmett. From there it didn’t take long for Rodriguez to apply his wiry limbs and get the triangle choke finish.

Spare a thought for Emmett who was clearly disheartened after the match. Emmett is one of those top tough guys that the UFC somehow never seems to get behind. It was a long road for him to get here and at 37 years old in the featherweight division it might be tough for him to get back to a title shot.

Rodriguez, just 30, has the look of a highly marketable future champion. Take my money now for the featherweight title fight with Alexander Volkanovski.

Islam Makhachev Narrowly Defends Lightweight Belt Against Volkanovski

Count me as one of those MMA fans who don’t much like the Dagestani style. Islam Makhachev is hailed as the second coming of the Eagle Khabib but he didn’t look much like that on Saturday night. With the appropriately named Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski in top position at the end of the final round and looking like he was maybe 60 seconds away from a ground and pound finish, Makhachev did not make good on his prediction of a knockout. Volk, however did make good on his promise to wipe the smirk off the Dagestani’s face as he repeatedly worked his way out of Makhachev’s top pressure. To be sure, Makhachev had some success on the feet during this fight. His timing is much better than his mentor’s in the striking realm and he actually shows real competency with his strikes, unlike his mentor. In any event, this fight was extremely close. I would not have been surprised with a judge’s decision for Volk. It will be interesting to see who is next for the current lightweight king. His coach, Javier Mendez somehow figures Islam will be the future welterweight and middleweight champion. Really Javy? The much smaller Volkanovski was all Makhachev cou