It’s fair to say that despite all the setbacks, the UFC’s first event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, went down very well.
Despite changing the main event on three weeks’ notice and the co-main event on the day, it turned out to be another thrilling event.
Not only did we see a potential or future challenger to the no1 p4p rankings. We could have seen the emergency of a new, future superstar while we said goodbye to two legends with Michelle Waterson-Gomez and Andrei Arlovski hanging up their gloves.
TOP PERFORMER: ALEX PEREIRA
In just two and a half years in the UFC, he has fought an amazing nine times, with five title fights, winning two titles at two different weights and defending his light heavyweight title twice.
In a rematch with Jiri Prochazka, whom he dispatched impressively in the second round of their first fight, this fight was won in an even more impressive fashion.
Pereira dropped Prochazka with a brutal left hook on the buzzer at the end of the first round. Then, just seconds into the second round. Pereira dropped him again with a devastating leg kick to the temple and finished it with a few shots on the ground.
TOP PERFORMER2: PAYTON TALBOTT
This young star remained undefeated in his three-fight UFC career, with three stoppages and now back-to-back performance of the night bonuses.
Although it was against an unknown opponent who lost his previous fight in the UFC.
Talbott did exactly what he was supposed to with such an opponent. Destroying him in just 19 seconds, starting with clubbing straight right hand to send him to the ground, then a few ground shots to force the ref to call a halt to proceedings.
TOP PERFORMER3: JOE PYFER
After causing a mini stir in the UFC with two performance of the night victories in his first three fights and the “be Joe Pyfer” mantra.
His rise was derailed with a five-round points defeat in January. So, the pressure on and he needed to make a statement.
With that thought in mind, Pyfer produced a first round, highlight reel knockout of Marc-Andre Barriault. With two right hands, the second causing him to face plant into the canvas for a brutal ko.
Honourable mentions
Macy Chiasson scored an impressive TKO victory over previous bantamweight title contender Mayra Bueno Silva. She showed superb strength and ground skills with brutal elbows that opened up a massive gash over Silva’s eye, forcing the ref to stop the fight.
Diego Lopes secured his fourth straight win in the UFC, but it was under extreme circumstances, from his opponent missing weight and agreeing to a fight at a catchweight to being told of a new opponent just four hours before his walkout. He took it all in his stride and still got a points win.
Dan Ige, although in a losing effort, has to be commended for saving the co-main event on four hours’ notice. Not only did he give Lopez a run for his money, but he won the third round and still may fight in his scheduled fight in three weeks.
