Jarred Cannonier used some crisp power striking to edge Kelvin Gastelum in the main event of UFC on ESPN 29 Saturday night at the UFC Apex.
Cannonier (14-5-0) was not as active as Gastelum(16-8-0, 1NC), but connected more often, including a third knockdown that the judges seemed to favour.
Once again despite a decent performance by Gastelum, it wasn’t good enough in the eyes of the judges, who scored it 48-47, 48-47, and 48-47.
With the win, Cannonier protected is No. 3 ranking while the No. 9 Gastelum is expected to drop now that he is 1-5-0 in his last six fights.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1429322629962354688?s=20
William Knight, Josiane Nunes, Alexandre Pantoja, and Ignacio Bahamondes earned performances of the night. There was no Fight of the Night award. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
RAMIZ BRAHIMAZ DEF. SASHA PALATNIKOV VIA TECH SUBMISSION (RNC) R1 2:33
IGNACIO BAHAMONDES DEF. ROOSEVELT ROBERTS VIA TKO (SPINNING HEEL KICK) R3 4:55
WILLIAM KNIGHT DEF. FABIO CHERANT VIA KO (PUNCH) R1 3:58
JOSIANE NUNES DEF. BEA MALECKI VIA KO (PUNCH) R1 4:54
BRIAN KELLEHER DEF. DOMINGO PILARTES VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
AUSTIN LINGO DEF. LUIS SALDANA VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
MAIN CARD
ALEXANDRE PANTOJA VS. BRANDON ROYVAL
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1429267885512404997?s=20
WINNER: ALEXANDRE PANTOJA VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R2 1:46
ANDREWS PREDICTION: BRANDO ROYVAL VIA UD
Andrews: Pantoja overpowered Royval.
VINC PICHEL VS. AUSTIN HUBBARD
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1429276404127084546?s=20
WINNER; VINC PICHEL VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: VINC PICHEL VIA UD
Andrews: The experience of Vinc powered him through, as expected.
TREVIN JONES VS. SAIDYOKUB KAKHRAMONOV
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1429284234028593153?s=20
WINNER: SAIDYOKUB KAKHRAMONOV VIA SUBMISSION (GUILLOTINE CHOKE) R3 4:39
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TREVIN JONES VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! You can bet Kakhramonov will be taken care of by Dana White.
PARKER PORTER VS. CHASE SHERMAN
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1429291538085994496?s=20
WINNER: PARKER PORTER VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CHASE SHERMAN VIA UD
Andrews: Sherman let me down – again.
CLAY GUIDA VS. MARK O. MADSEN
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1429301895043194889?s=20
WINNER: MARK O. MADSEN VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTON: MARK O. MADSEN VIA UD
Andrews: Guida always makes it close.
MAIN EVENT
#3 JARED CANNONIER VS. #9 KELVIN GASTELUM
Oh my! @KillaGorillaMMA connects! #UFCVegas34 live now on @ESPN and @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/4OgESBfS3r
— UFC (@ufc) August 22, 2021
WINNER: JARED CANNONIER VIA UD (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: KELVIN GASTELUM VIA UD
Andrews: Gastelum fought well, but once again has nothing to show for it.
