The first UFC event of 2024, UFC Vegas 84, unfolded on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. In the main fight, highly-ranked light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev scored a knockout victory over Johnny Walker in the second round. Additionally, in a significant matchup, UFC veteran Jim Miller notched another win, contributing to his record-setting career.
Winners:
Magomed Ankalaev: The rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker at UFC Vegas 84 had a clear outcome. In contrast to their previous fight, which ended in a controversial doctor stoppage, this Saturday’s main event concluded with Ankalaev securing a knockout win, and Walker did not dispute the result.
Ankalaev, ranked No. 3 in the UFC light heavyweight division, delivered a powerful right hook that brought Walker to the mat. While on the ground, Ankalaev followed up with a solid uppercut, possibly leaving Walker with a broken nose.
This win marked Ankalaev’s first victory since knocking out Anthony Smith in July 2022. Heading into Saturday’s card, Ankalaev had a record of 0-0-1-1 in his last two fights.
Jim Miller
Jim Miller, aged 40, participated in his 43rd UFC match at UFC Vegas 84. He clinched his 26th UFC victory, delivering a smart and complete performance. Miller secured his 18th stoppage win under the UFC banner with a third-round submission.Jim Miller is likely to have his next fight at UFC 300. If this happens, he will have fought at UFC 100, 200, and 300, highlighting his impressive longevity in the sport.
Mario Bautista:
Mario Bautista had an impressive 15-minute bout against Ricky Simon in the bantamweight division, securing his sixth consecutive UFC win. This victory is likely to propel the 30-year-old into the top 15 of the division.
Bautista demonstrated superior technical skills in the matchup, while Simon’s determination and counter-striking kept the fight competitive. Bautista showcased precise striking and the ability to execute impressive combinations. He effectively varied his targets and techniques and, when needed, finished the fight strongly.
Although not the youngest in the bantamweight division, Bautista is evolving as a fighter. With a bit more refinement, he could become a serious threat to those ranked above him.
Brunno Ferreira
Brunno Ferreira made an impressive comeback after his first career loss in July, securing a first-round knockout win over Phil Hawes. While Ferreira displayed powerful striking, his fight decision-making could see improvements. Despite having Hawes in a vulnerable state, he chose a takedown instead of going for the finish. Nevertheless, Ferreira’s knockout power compensates for certain areas that need refinement in his fight strategy.
Preston Parsons
Preston Parsons had an impressive win against Matthew Semelsberger. His strategic approach, switching between close and distant fighting, allowed him to smoothly execute takedowns and evade powerful punches. Parsons demonstrated a well-rounded skill set, securing seven takedowns out of 11 attempts and controlling the fight for 6 minutes and 26 seconds.
Marcus McGhee
Marcus McGhee delivered an impressive performance against Gaston Bolanos, showcasing relentless pressure and striking. His approach limited Bolanos’ ability to utilize kickboxing skills effectively. Despite not being the more technical striker, McGhee’s power and effective fighting style allowed him to score significantly and inflict damage. The fight ended in McGhee’s favor with strikes at the 3:29 mark of Round 2. With an undefeated 3-0 record in the UFC, McGhee is now poised for more challenging competition.
Farid Basharat
Farid Basharat, the fighter we were watching at UFC Vegas 84, maintained his undefeated record, reaching 12-0 with a clear win over Taylor Lapilus. The 26-year-old bantamweight now holds a 3-0 record in the UFC.
Despite his youth and limited experience, Basharat displayed a high fight IQ. He controlled the pace of the match, determining where it unfolded. His movement and feints in striking set up numerous takedown attempts, showcasing good cardio throughout the fight.
UFC Vegas 84 marked a solid performance for Basharat against his toughest opponent to date. While his potential is still uncertain, his team is managing his career effectively. Looking ahead, they should consider gradually increasing the difficulty of his opponents to aid his development and comfort in the UFC.
Jean Silva
Jean Silva, the standout favorite at UFC Vegas 84, secured a straightforward victory against Westin Wilson. Despite Wilson’s height advantage, he couldn’t make effective use of it. The 27-year-old Silva demonstrated significant power and confidence throughout the fight. His first-round TKO win in his UFC debut at UFC Vegas 84 has placed him on the radar as a promising figure in the featherweight division.
Nikolas Motta
Nikolas Motta, the 30-year-old Brazilian, strategically exploited the overconfidence and aggressiveness of his 23-year-old opponent, Tom Nolan, in their lightweight bout. Despite Nolan being the favored at -355 over Motta, the +280 underdog, Motta skillfully reversed the situation. Nolan, aiming to initiate offense, exposed himself to Motta’s strikes due to defensive lapses. Motta efficiently halted Nolan’s efforts, concluding the bout just 63 seconds into the match.
Joshua Van
Young UFC fighter Joshua Van had a varied performance at UFC Vegas 84, securing a second-round TKO victory over Felipe Bunes in his third UFC win and tenth overall. Despite his success, he faced challenges such as a slow start in the first round and defensive issues. Van displayed promise with an increased output in the second round.
Critics suggest that Van needs to refine his slow starts and improve his defense to handle more aggressive opponents. Despite these areas for improvement, he is viewed as an emerging talent in the flyweight division. The recommendation is for Van to take time between UFC fights to develop his skills and address these concerns with his team.
Losers
Phil Hawes chose to stand and strike with Bruno Ferreira, despite having a wrestling advantage, leading to his second consecutive knockout loss. In his recent four UFC fights, all ending in the first round by knockout, Hawes holds a record of 1 win and 3 losses.
The heavyweight bout between Andrei Arlovski and Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Vegas 84 fell short of expectations. Arlovski struggled with his striking, and Cortes-Acosta, though a significant favorite, appeared more focused on entertaining than securing a decisive victory. While Cortes-Acosta won the fight 29-28 on all scorecards, the victory may not significantly impact his standing in the UFC heavyweight division.
Matthew Semelsberger
Matthew Semelsberger, known for his powerful striking, faces challenges in the UFC due to being a one-dimensional fighter with more knockdowns than wins. With a record of 1 win and 4 losses in his last five UFC appearances and currently on a three-fight losing streak, Semelsberger encounters difficulties in his career.
Taylor Lapilus
Taylor Lapilus demonstrated solid takedown defense against Farid Basharat but struggled to unleash his striking game. The veteran, in his second UFC stint, saw his six-fight winning streak come to an end, succumbing to the pressure from his younger and more active opponent at UFC Vegas 84.