UFC Vegas 20 Takeaways and Results

Overtime Heroics Editorial

941 days ago

Despite UFC Vegas 20: Rozenstruik vs Gane losing several originally scheduled matchups, the card still delivered an exciting nine fights. The main event saw seventh-ranked heavyweight Ciryl Gane cement himself as a heavyweight contender, defeating number four ranked Jairzinho Rozenstruik.

Main Card

Ciryl Gane defeats Jairzinho Rozenstruik via Unanimous Decision – (50-45 x3)
Magomed Ankalaev defeats Nikita Krylov via Unanimous Decision – (29-28 x3)
Mayra Bueno Silva and Montana Del La Rosa fight to a Majority Draw – (28-28 x2, 28-27)
Pedro Munhoz defeats Jimmie Rivera via Unanimous Decision – (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Alex Caceres defeats Kevin Croom via Unanimous Decision – (30-26 x2, 30-27)

Prelims

Thiago Moises defeats Alexander Hernandez via Unanimous Decision – (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Alexis Davis defeats Sabina Mazo via Unanimous Decision – (30-27 x2, 30-26)
Ronnie Lawrence defeats Vince Cachero via TKO – Round 3 (2:38)
Dustin Jacoby defeats Maxim Grishin via Unanimous Decision – (29-28 x3)

UFC Vegas 20 Highlights

Gane Shuts Down Rozenstruik

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 27: In this handout image provided by UFC, (R-L) Ciryl Gane of France punches Jairzinho Rozenstruik of Suriname in a heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 27, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Ciryl Gane effectively outpointed Jarzinho Rozenstruik using a dexterous jab and versatile lead leg attack. Whenever “Bigi Boy” began looking for his signature one-punch-knockout, Gane would force the fight into the clinch and utilize his evolving wrestling game. The most impressive aspect of Gane’s skillset, and on full display in this fight, is his movement. He evades like a man a hundred pounds lighter than he is; wary of danger and flawlessly positioning himself in the cage. It will be interesting to see how he measures against the division’s elite.

Ankalaev’s Skillful Display

Although not the flashy finish both men involved in the UFC Vegas 20’s co-main event are accustomed to, Magomed Ankalaev won a decision over the top ten light heavyweight mainstay: Nikita Krylov. Despite Krylov successfully fighting on the outside and earning round one, Ankalaev rebounded with his powerful lead hook and grappling to earn rounds two and three. With this win, Ankalaev is a few fights away from a title shot and will undoubtedly be watching next weeks main event (Adesanya vs. Blachowicz) closely.

Munhoz and Rivera Boast Fight of the Year Contender

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 27: (L-R) Pedro Munhoz of Brazil punches Jimmie Rivera in a bantamweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 27, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

In a rematch to their first fight in late 2015, Pedro Munhoz and Jimmie Rivera threw down for three rounds. Munhoz structured his attack around the low outside calf kick, compromising Rivera’s legs early in the fight. Rivera showed a tremendous amount of heart to stay in the fight and retaliated with power hooks. Munhoz ultimately received the win and rebounds from his loss to Frankie Edgar last year.

Lightweight Contender Emerges

Thiago Moises stayed defensively diligent en route to a unanimous decision victory over Alexander Hernandez. He cracked Hernandez the entire fight with a steady supply of right crosses and left hooks. As the fight entered the third round, Moises picked up the pace and consistently pressured, forcing his opponents back to the cage. At just twenty-five years old and riding a three-fight win streak, Moises could be fighting for a UFC ranking in his next bout.

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Featured Image Credits to Embed from Getty Images

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