Sean Strickland used striking and some key takedowns to take a comfortable unanimous decision victory in the main event of UFC on ESPN 28.
The question for pundits coming into the contest was which Uriah Hall was going to show up. While Hall did have some flurries, he was unable to muster up the offence seen in previous fights and was on the defensive for large portions of the bout.
Perhaps injury was a factor as in the post-fight press conference, Strickland said he thought he broke Hall’s orbital bone in the second round.
"Everybody knows I'm not an easy fight, it doesn't matter how good you are."
Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) continued to show why he is a threat in the @UFC middleweight division with a win over Uriah Hall at #UFCVegas33 🔉⬆️
Final #UFCVegas33 Results ⤵️:
— UFC News (@UFCNews) August 1, 2021
In any event, Hall, 37, seemed to fatigue in the championship rounds, while Strickland, 30, did enough to get 50-44, 50-45, and 49-46 scores from the judges.
The win was Strickland’s fifth consecutive and he will likely take Hall’s current No. 8 ranking next week.
The loss snapped Hall’s four-fight win streak.
You probably need to rewatch this one 👀
💸 FOTN honors earned! #UFCVegas33
[ B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/SlSWytf2Mf
— UFC (@ufc) August 1, 2021
Cheyanne Buys and Melysk Baghdasaryan earned performances of the night while Jason Witt and Bryan Barberena earned Fight of the Night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
And joining her with a POTN bonus is @Melsik_The_Gun 🙌 #UFCVegas33 pic.twitter.com/4M4tpf2B2b
— UFC (@ufc) August 1, 2021
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
PHIL ROWE VS. ORION COSCE VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 4:21
ZARRUKH ADASHEV DEF. RYAN BENOIT VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
JINH YU FREY DEF. ASHLEY YODER VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
KAI KAMAKA III DEF. DANNY CHAVEZ RULED MD (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
CHRIS GRUETZEMACHER DEF. RAFIA GARCIA VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
MAIN CARD
BRYAN BARBERENA VS. JASON WITT
INSANITY!!!!! 🤯
The slugfest you expected is happening! #UFCVegas33 pic.twitter.com/5gaayuGW2B
— UFC (@ufc) August 1, 2021
WINNER: JASON WITT VIA MD (28-28, 29-27, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: BRYAN BARBERENA VIA UD
Andrews: Good performance by Witt which should put his previous fight to rest.
NIKLAS STOLZE VS. JARED GOODEN
An all angle look at that @JGNitetrain23 KO! 🤯 #UFCVegas33 pic.twitter.com/XzGcGcLd9i
— UFC (@ufc) August 1, 2021
WINNER: JARED GOODEN VIA TKO (PUNCH) R1 1:08
ANDREWS PREDICTION: NIKLAS STOLZE VIA UD
Andrews: Good win and nice finish for Jared.
CHEYANNE BUYS VS. GLORIA DE PAULA
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH pt. 2 #UFCVegas33 pic.twitter.com/iMSZXachM5
— UFC (@ufc) August 1, 2021
WINNER: CHEYANNE BUYS VIA TKO (HEADKICK AND PUNCHES)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CHEYANNE BUYS VIA UD
Andrews: Way to show some power!
COLLIN ANGLIN VS. MELSIK BAGHDASARYAN
Head kick KO in your UFC debut? ✅ #UFCVegas33 pic.twitter.com/v6CbfZ75GV
— UFC (@ufc) August 1, 2021
WINNER: MELSIK BAGHDASARYAN VIA TKO (HEADKICK AND PUNCHES) R2 1:00
Andrews: Wow! Melsik could be a thing in the UFC.
MAIN EVENT
#8 URIAH HALL VS. #11 SEAN STRICKLAND
Standing and striking 👊 #UFCVegas33 pic.twitter.com/f2dVyuQNaL
— UFC (@ufc) August 1, 2021
WINNER: SEAN STRICKLAND VIA UD (50-44, 50-45, 49-46)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: SEAN STRICKLAND VIA UD
Andrews: Strickland came prepared as expected and Hall did not match his intensity. Perhaps it’s time for “Primetime” to hang ’em up.
The next UFC event is UFC 265 in Houston Texas as the Toyota Center. Derrick Lewis takes on Ciryl Gane in the main event for the UFC interim heavyweight title. Check out this site to bet on UFC matches.
