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

It’s not terribly uncommon for the UFC to have a struggle 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 in poor health the day of the struggle—forcing the cancellation of his important occasion contest with Sergey Spivak.

In response, the UFC pushed Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Ion Cutelaba right into a makeshift important 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 scenario from a number 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 prime to offer it one thing impactful. Whereas the Lewis-Spivak scenario will most likely be talked about to demise, there’s a complete card’s value of motion to dig into. We’ll try this with my Unofficial Awards….

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

Greatest Soar in Inventory

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This can be a arduous spot to choose. A number of fighters had good wins, however not one of the wins really appeared to spice up anybody in a considerably significant method. After cautious deliberation, nevertheless, I imagine I’m selecting 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 might 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 come back out on prime. At this level, I’d say it’s honest to label Silva one of many prime prospects in girls’s flyweight.

Greatest Fall in Inventory

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There’s a number of names I might insert right here, however provided that I don’t like placing fighters I believe will get minimize up for this award, that narrows the checklist fairly a bit. I do imagine Andre Fialho might be secure, so he’s my decide 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. Except for the occasional desperation swing, Fialho stood in entrance of Salikhov and let him tee off. One thing should have been knocked free 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 means to bounce again after being compromised. That may be the kind of factor that separates the pretenders from the contenders.

Finest Newcomer

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There was just one newcomer on this card, making this an apparent alternative. Whereas Tereza Bleda ended up with the quick finish of the stick, she confirmed sufficient in her loss to Silva that almost all would agree the 20-year-old might have a very vibrant future. Bleda received the opening spherical on the power of her wrestling and grappling, however pale arduous concerning the halfway level of the second spherical. Large for the flyweight division, I’ve little doubt her future is at bantamweight as her physique continues to mature and chopping weight will get tougher. Given she’s already having points together with her cardio, I’d suppose it will be good to make the transfer to bantamweight sooner relatively 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 adjustments. Quite than launching his strikes from a mile away, he had no drawback partaking in some wild exchanges with Kevin Natividad and turned in a efficiency worthy of $50K. If Turcios might flip in an effort like that each evening, the UFC needs to be joyful to characteristic him on any card he’s on. Hopefully, he continues to use the teachings realized from his efficiency in opposition to Zahabi. I’d relatively see the very best 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 properly spent. Sure, there was the restoration from a significant knee damage, however he additionally appeared sharper on the toes than he ever has. There’s little doubt Hiestand received on the again of his wrestling skills, however his work on the toes proved it may be a pleasant praise to make sure he continues profitable.

Begin Typing a Resume

An asterisk could possibly be inserted provided that he wasn’t in the principle occasion till hours earlier than it was speculated to happen, however Ion Cutelaba could possibly be one of many few to go from being in the principle occasion to being on the minimize checklist. 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 struggle IQ. I might see the UFC retaining 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 had been controversial, however that hasn’t been the case both. I wouldn’t be upset if he’s introduced again, nevertheless it looks like 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 determination. I strive to not throw the phrase theft round, however I do imagine 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 file that’s close to unimaginable 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 struggle the primary two rounds in opposition to Miles Johns the way in which 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 arms go practically sufficient to make an actual argument for victory. What makes it damage much more is Morales appeared to have put in numerous time on his takedown protection, a giant a part of the explanation why the struggle was there for the taking. I wouldn’t assure he’s on the way in which out, however a 3-5 total UFC file 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 so much working in opposition to him.

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

Fernie Garcia isn’t precisely outdated at 30, nevertheless it could possibly be argued he’s in his prime. The truth that he’s not profitable fights in opposition to fighters who’re on the decrease degree of the totem pole of the division isn’t an excellent 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 by way of there being a plethora of children seeking 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.

Greatest 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 method it might 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 achieved. The extent of its impressiveness is part of the explanation I opted to say Silva’s inventory shot up greater than anybody else.

Finest at Assembly Expectations

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Jack Della Maddalena has the look a future star. The one purpose I didn’t give him the soar in inventory award is as a result of his dominance of Danny Roberts was anticipated. Roberts is a talented striker and even bought in some good photographs, delivering a few arduous knees. Nonetheless, Della Maddalena ate them like they had been sweet bars and continued along with his assault. It culminated in his third first spherical stoppage in three appearances. Della Maddalena isn’t going to be a drive to be reckoned with; he’s already a drive 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 might ever safe a three-fight win streak throughout the confines of the UFC. A few of it could be as a consequence of getting favorable matchups, however that’s additionally good work on behalf of her administration group. No matter anybody needs 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 difficulty. Nonetheless, she has discovered a approach 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 and not using a single win. Kudos to her for exceeding expectations so far.

Greatest 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 had been properly value a $50K bonus. I used to be really shocked to see they didn’t get ‘Battle of the Night time.’ I’d have been extra inclined to reward them than both Salikhov or Nzechukwu. In fact, I’d have most well-liked six bonuses being given out, however the UFC can’t try this for each occasion, proper? I’ll be joyful to close my lure 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 significant scarcity of fighters with a notable historical past of profitable bonuses. No one else entered the cardboard with greater than two. Nzechukwu was a type of, and prolonged his success to a few. Della Maddalena and Salikhov introduced house their second, whereas it was the primary for Silva.

Out of those that have by no means received 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 and not using a bonus, extending all the way in which again to December 2016 when he took house FOTN with Jared Cannonier. That was a ok struggle that I don’t want a re-watch to recollect the way it performed out, however I’m certain joyful to throw it again on. For those who haven’t seen it, I like to recommend it for a enjoyable struggle that doesn’t are inclined to get a lot consideration….