Michael Chiesa (18-4-0) utilized his grappling to take a comfortable unanimous decision victory over Neil Magny (24-8-0) in the main event of UFC on ESPN 20 Wednesday afternoon at Fight Island.
Chiesa, ranked No. 8 opened up with some strikes and kept Magny on the defensive with takedowns and grappling control, winning four of the five rounds on all judges scorecards.
The judges scored it 49-46, 49-46, and 49-46.
Called out! 🗣@MikeMav22 had only one name in mind after that!
[ #UFCFightIsland8 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/dXBQcdShL8
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
Chiesa earned his fourth consecutive victory, while Magny had a three fight win streak snapped with the loss.
Earned that 50k 🤑@MikeDavisMMA and Mason Jones showed up at #UFCFightIsland8.
[ Presented by @ToyoTires | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/GVlK1z8HFn
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
Mike Davis and Mason Jones earned Fight of the Night, while Umar Nurmagomedov and Warlley Alves earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Get those bonuses! 💸@UmarNmgdv & @WarlleyAlvesMMA cash in at #UFCFightIsland8.
[ #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/T7jiAfnMQF
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
MAIN CARD
LERONE MURPHY VS. DOUGLAS SILVA DE ANDRADE
UNDEFEATED 👏
🏴 'The Miracle' @LeroneMurphy proving why he's one to watch!
[ #UFCFightIsland8 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/H6Uz3XDwnb
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
WINNER: LERONE MURPHY VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: LERONE MURPHY VIA UD
Andrews: Murphy used his height and reach to keep de Andrade away.
TYSON NAM VS. MATT SCHNELL
By split decision! 💢@Danger_Caged is back in the win column after going the distance!
[ LIVE on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/idsVBwQHhO
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
WINNER: MATT SCHNELL VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MATT SCHNELL VIA UD
Andrews: Schnell did enough to win, getting the fight to the ground.
ROXANNE MODAFFERI VS. VIVIANE ARAUJO
Respect 👏@RoxyFighter and @ViviAraujoMMA gave it their all in the Octagon.
[ #UFCFightIsland8 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/V969mBAaPs
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
WINNER: VIVIANE ARAUJO VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ROXANNE MODAFFERI VIA UD
Andrews: Wow. Araujo had no respect at all for Modafferi’s striking. It’s time for the Happy Warrior to hang them up.
ISAAC VILLANEUVA VS. VINCIUS MOREIRA CASTRO
JUST. LIKE. THAT. 🤯@Hurricane_UFC with an insane right hook KO!
[ #UFCFightIsland8 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/SOVOKl6WHH
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
WINNER: ISAAC VILLANEUVA VIA TKO R2 0:39
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ISAAC VILLANEUVA VIA TKO
Andrews: True to from, Villaneuva went after it and got it.
WARRLEY ALVES VS. MOUNIR LAZZEZ
And he's BACK!
🇧🇷 @WarlleyAlvesMMA gets it done QUICK at #UFCFightIsland8.
[ #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/AI1JmYvwAG
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
WINNER: WARRLEY ALVES VIA KO (PUNCH) R1 2:35
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MOUNIR LAZZEZ VIA TKO
Andrews: Alves stuffed the notion of an upset real quick. Excellent win for Warlley.
MAIN EVENT
MICHAEL CHIESA VS. NEIL MAGNY
Win #4: ✅
The UD goes to @MikeMav22 at #UFCFightIsland8!
[ #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/qumt2UVf9M
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
WINNER: MICHAEL CHIESA VIA UD (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: NEIL MAGNY VIA UD
Andrews: Chiesa recognized he had the grappling advantage and using it. Magny just could not take advantage of his counters. Good win.
The next UFC event is UFC 257, scheduled for Saturday Jan. 23 at Fight Island. No. 2 lightweight Dustin Poirier takes on No. 4 Conor McGregor in the main event.
