UFC Vegas 65: Ion Cutelaba vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu – Unofficial awards

It’s not terribly uncommon for the UFC to have a battle cancelled on the day of the occasion. It most likely occurs about as soon as each 4 months. Nonetheless, it’s exceedingly uncommon to see the principle occasion cancelled as an occasion is continuing. Sadly that proved to be the case with UFC Vegas 65, as Derrick Lewis fell unwell the day of the battle—forcing the cancellation of his essential occasion contest with Sergey Spivak.

In response, the UFC pushed Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Ion Cutelaba right into a makeshift essential occasion. There have been clues main as much as the announcement that one thing was amiss. Spivak began trending in direction of being a heavy favourite because the occasion progressed. Not wanting a repeat of the Darrick Minner state of affairs from a couple of weeks in the past, it appears the promotion opted to cancel the bout.

Whereas the occasion did show to be enjoyable, it lacked the oomph on the high to present it one thing impactful. Whereas the Lewis-Spivak state of affairs will most likely be talked about to loss of life, there’s a complete card’s value of motion to dig into. We’ll do this with my Unofficial Awards….

For a unique perspective, click on here. For an audio recap of the occasion, click on here.

Largest Soar in Inventory

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It is a arduous spot to select. A number of fighters had good wins, however not one of the wins actually appeared to spice up anybody in a considerably significant approach. After cautious deliberation, nevertheless, I consider I’m choosing somebody within the curtain jerker for the primary time for this prize. It wasn’t an ideal efficiency for Natalia Silva as she arguably misplaced the primary spherical, and it was in opposition to a debuting opponent, however Silva proved she may overcome adversity and nonetheless managed to ship a spotlight reel KO—blasting Bleda with a spinning back-kick to the face. Given Bleda represented a poor stylistic matchup for her, it’s spectacular Silva managed to return out on high. At this level, I’d say it’s truthful to label Silva one of many high prospects in ladies’s flyweight.

Largest Fall in Inventory

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There’s a couple of names I may insert right here, however provided that I don’t like placing fighters I feel will get minimize up for this award, that narrows the listing fairly a bit. I do consider Andre Fialho might be protected, so he’s my choose given his mystifying efficiency. Fialho began out sharp sufficient, blasting Muslim Salikhov within the first spherical. Nonetheless, after Salikhov survived and landed a plethora of arduous strikes on Fialho early within the second, the Portuguese fighter appeared to go on autopilot. Apart from the occasional desperation swing, Fialho stood in entrance of Salikhov and let him tee off. One thing will need to have been knocked unfastened for the 28-year-old. There was a transparent disconnect for him after Salikhov’s flurry. Maybe he shouldn’t be docked too badly for that, nevertheless it’s arduous to not query Fialho’s skill to bounce again after being compromised. That may be the kind of factor that separates the pretenders from the contenders.

Greatest Newcomer

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There was just one newcomer on this card, making this an apparent selection. Whereas Tereza Bleda ended up with the quick finish of the stick, she confirmed sufficient in her loss to Silva that the majority would agree the 20-year-old may have a very shiny future. Bleda gained the opening spherical on the power of her wrestling and grappling, however light arduous in regards to the halfway level of the second spherical. Huge for the flyweight division, I’ve little question her future is at bantamweight as her physique continues to mature and chopping weight will get tougher. Given she’s already having points along with her cardio, I’d assume it will be sensible to make the transfer to bantamweight sooner slightly than later.

Saved their Job(s)

Coming off his TUF victory, Ricky Turcios couldn’t have had a extra disastrous sophomore UFC effort in opposition to Aiemann Zahabi. Turcios indicated he was conscious of the criticism and made some good modifications. Quite than launching his strikes from a mile away, he had no downside participating in some wild exchanges with Kevin Natividad and turned in a efficiency worthy of $50K. If Turcios may flip in an effort like that each evening, the UFC needs to be pleased to function him on any card he’s on. Hopefully, he continues to use the teachings realized from his efficiency in opposition to Zahabi. I’d slightly see the perfect out of everybody.

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Talking of Turcios’ TUF victory, the person he defeated to assert that crown, Brady Hiestand, returned to the cage for the primary time since that contest and appeared just like the time away was nicely spent. Sure, there was the restoration from a serious knee damage, however he additionally appeared sharper on the toes than he ever has. There’s little question Hiestand gained on the again of his wrestling talents, however his work on the toes proved it may be a pleasant praise to make sure he continues successful.

Begin Typing a Resume

An asterisk may very well be inserted provided that he wasn’t in the principle occasion till hours earlier than it was speculated to happen, however Ion Cutelaba may very well be one of many few to go from being in the principle occasion to being on the minimize listing. The Moldovan is the final word train in frustration. He’s much better than his one win in his final seven fights signifies. Nonetheless, he’s additionally severely compromised by poor battle IQ. I may see the UFC holding him round since his degree of competitors has been comparatively excessive, however his job is to beat who the UFC places in entrance of him and he simply isn’t doing that. Maybe he’d get some leeway if the losses have been controversial, however that hasn’t been the case both. I wouldn’t be upset if he’s introduced again, nevertheless it looks as if it’s about time he will get the boot.

I’m pissed to be writing about Zhalgas Zhumagulov on this spot. Not as a result of I used to be rooting for him over Charles Johnson, however as a result of he was on the unsuitable finish of a BS choice. I attempt to not throw the phrase theft round, however I do consider it will be applicable on this case. Zhumagulov had the benefit in important strikes over each spherical and whereas I acknowledge not all important strikes are created equal, it isn’t like Johnson’s had that rather more oomph to them. Plus, Zhumagulov discovered some success within the wrestling. The loss drops Zhumagulov to 1-5, the kind of document that’s close to unattainable to outlive. I’d have been in favor of the UFC bringing him again once more, however he opted to announce his retirement after the occasion. Given he’s been on the quick finish of a number of shut contests, I suppose he figured he’s been yanked round sufficient.

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Had he opted to battle the primary two rounds in opposition to Miles Johns the best way he did the third spherical, I wouldn’t be so certain Vince Morales can be on the chopping block. Sadly, Morales turned in a snoozer of a efficiency in rounds one and two, not letting his fingers go almost sufficient to make an actual argument for victory. What makes it damage much more is Morales appeared to have put in plenty of time on his takedown protection, a giant a part of the rationale why the battle was there for the taking. I wouldn’t assure he’s on the best way out, however a 3-5 total UFC document with two consecutive losses on the age of 32 in a division full of children champing on the bit for his or her alternative? That’s lots working in opposition to him.

There’s little question Natividad turned in his greatest UFC efficiency in opposition to Turcios. He hurt the TUF champion on a number of events, secured a plethora of takedowns, and confirmed all types of grit to outlive Turcios’ late submission try. In the long run although, there it wasn’t sufficient to beat Turcios’ nonstop scrambling and overwhelming quantity. Now sitting at 0-3, it’s seemingly Natividad goes to be proven the door.

Fernie Garcia isn’t precisely outdated at 30, nevertheless it may very well be argued he’s in his prime. The truth that he’s not successful fights in opposition to fighters who’re on the decrease degree of the totem pole of the division isn’t a very good signal for the Fortis MMA product, even when he turned in a aggressive contest with Hiestand. He’s in the identical spot as Morales and Natividad when it comes to there being a plethora of children trying to get their UFC alternative. He’s simply 0-2, however given the UFC was prepared to surrender on the likes of TJ Laramie after simply two performances, I don’t see Garcia hanging round.

Largest WOW Second

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I’ve already talked about this end, however Silva’s spinning back-kick to the face of Bleda was the kind of end that makes it on the Baba O’Reilly reel. About the one approach it may have been higher is that if it landed squarely on the face of Bleda versus the shoulder, nevertheless it was nonetheless sufficient to get the job finished. The extent of its impressiveness is part of the rationale I opted to say Silva’s inventory shot up greater than anybody else.

Greatest at Assembly Expectations

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Jack Della Maddalena has the look a future star. The one motive I didn’t give him the bounce in inventory award is as a result of his dominance of Danny Roberts was anticipated. Roberts is a talented striker and even obtained in some good pictures, delivering a few arduous knees. Nonetheless, Della Maddalena ate them like they have been sweet bars and continued together with his assault. It culminated in his third first spherical stoppage in three appearances. Della Maddalena isn’t going to be a pressure to be reckoned with; he’s already a pressure to be reckoned with.

Most Unlikely Win Streak

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I’d have misplaced some huge cash if somebody requested me whether or not Vanessa Demopoulos may ever safe a three-fight win streak throughout the confines of the UFC. A few of it could be attributable to getting favorable matchups, however that’s additionally good work on behalf of her administration group. No matter anybody desires to chalk it as much as, I do know I wouldn’t have been on an island doubting her paths to victory. She has the second shortest attain within the UFC and that it’s been an apparent concern. Nonetheless, she has discovered a solution to work round it and even landed a knockdown in opposition to Maria Oliveira. I don’t see Demopoulos changing into a contender, however she has carved out a pleasant spot on the roster once I feared she may wash out with out a single win. Kudos to her for exceeding expectations to this point.

Largest Robberies

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I’ve to say robberies as there have been two. I’ve already talked about how egregious Zhumagulov’s loss was; he ought to have been awarded the choice. Nonetheless, the performances of Turcios and Natividad have been nicely value a $50K bonus. I used to be really shocked to see they didn’t get ‘Combat of the Night time.’ I’d have been extra inclined to reward them than both Salikhov or Nzechukwu. In fact, I’d have most popular six bonuses being given out, however the UFC can’t do this for each occasion, proper? I’ll be pleased to close my entice if I discover out they got a locker room bonus, however I’ll achieve this reluctantly, The Efficiency Bonus awards a level of status that doesn’t include a locker room bonus.

Bonus Numbers

With the elimination of Lewis from the highest of the cardboard, there was a serious scarcity of fighters with a notable historical past of successful bonuses. No person else entered the cardboard with greater than two. Nzechukwu was a type of, and prolonged his success to 3. Della Maddalena and Salikhov introduced house their second, whereas it was the primary for Silva.

Out of those that have by no means gained a bonus? Morales prolonged his streak to eight fights with Zhumagulov not far off with six. By way of longest total streak, Cutelaba has now gone eleven fights with out a bonus, extending all the best way again to December 2016 when he took house FOTN with Jared Cannonier. That was a adequate battle that I don’t want a re-watch to recollect the way it performed out, however I’m certain pleased to throw it again on. In case you haven’t seen it, I like to recommend it for a enjoyable battle that doesn’t are inclined to get a lot consideration….