UFC Vegas 38: Results, Bonuses, and Takeaways

UFC Vegas 38 Results

Main Card

• (5) Thiago Santos defeats (10) Johnny Walker via Unanimous Decision – (48-47 x3)
• (14) Kevin Holland vs Kyle Daukaus ruled a No Contest (accidental headbutt) at 3:43 of Round 1
• Niko Price defeats Alex Oliveira via Unanimous Decision – (29-28 x3)
• Krzysztof Jotko defeats Misha Cirkunov via Split Decision – (29-28 x2, 28-29)
• Alexander Hernandez defeats Mike Breedan via KO – Round 1 (1:20)

Prelims

• Jared Gordon defeats Joe Solecki via Split Decision – (29-28 x2, 28-29)
•  Casey O’Neill defeats Antonina Shevchenko via TKO – Round 2 (4:47)
•  (15) Karol Rosa defeats Bethe Correia via Unanimous Decision – (30-26, 30-27 x2)
•  Jamie Mullarkey defeats Devonte Smith via TKO – Round 2 (2:51)
•  Douglas Silva de Andrade defeats Gaetano Pirrello via KO – Round 1 (2:04)
•  Stephanie Egger defeats Shanna Young via TKO – Round 2 (2:22)
•  Alejandro Perez defeats Johnny Eduardo via Submission – Round 2 (4:13)

UFC Vegas 38 Bonuses

Performance: Casey O’Neill (TKO), Jamie Mullarky (TKO), Douglas Silva de Andrade (KO), and Alejandro Perez (Submission)

UFC Vegas 38 Takeaways

A Much Needed Bounce Back

The UFC Vegas 38 main event saw Thiago Santos bounce back from his three-fight skid, by defeating his Brazilian counterpart, Johnny Walker. Going into this fight fans were expecting nothing short of fireworks until someone inevitably went to sleep. However, what occurred instead was a five-round, drawn-out striking chess match.

While this was not the most highlight-filled, fan-friendly affair, it did show fans a different, more reserved, and patient version of each fighter. Let’s face it, a fighter can only go into so many bouts with reckless abandon before it catches up to them all too much. And consider being in Santos’ shoes and imagine losing this headliner and making it four straight losses. A former title challenger would then be on the brink of being cut from the organization at that point.

So, at the end of the day, whether the fight was your cup of tea or not, Thiago Santos got a very much-needed bounce-back win. As a result, he will remain amongst the top five in the light heavyweight division, with dreams of one day challenging for the belt once more before calling it a career. And considering the last time current champion, Jan Blachowicz tasted defeat was at the hands of Santos. Should Thiago Santo secure one or two more victories and interest from the champ wanting some revenge playing in his favor, don’t be all too surprised if this new, more patient, methodical, Santos finds himself with a chance a gold one more time before it is all said and done.

The New Generation Shines Again

Casey O’Neill improved to a perfect 8-0 professional record (3-0 in UFC) at UFC Vegas 38 by getting a TKO victory against Antonina Shevchenko. All three of O’Neill’s wins in the UFC have now come via finish and the 23-year old seems to be getting exponentially better each time she steps into the octagon. It is clear that the UFC is very high on the Scottish-born prospect, and so far, she has proved it to be for very good reason.

A top-fifteen opponent seems like the next reasonable step for O’Neill following this win against a former ranked fighter in Shevchenko. There are a plethora of options that would be available and all of which would make sense to challenge the young Xtreme Couture trainee. Yes, there is still plenty to work on in terms of bringing her striking up to par with some of the contenders at flyweight, but “King” Casey’s grappling is what could set her apart from the rest of the heap as she continues to climb the ranks.

The women’s flyweight division is stacking up very high-quality, young talent, that could one day challenge the queen, Valentina Shevchenko’s thrown. And obviously, Casey O’Neill is still plenty of fights away from this chance, however, it is exciting to think of this new generation of women continuing to surge into the UFC. Whatever does come next for O’Neill is sure to be another great test for her and should she pass once more, her fan-friendly personality and fight style could begin skyrocketing her through this division.

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