Israel Adesanya defended his undisputed middleweight crown for the fifth time at UFC 276, but was overshadowed by the performance of his former rival Alex Pereira, who made a strong case to be his next opponent.
Adesanya’s height and reach advantages proved to be difficult for the challenger to assess early, which allowed the champion to be patient and look for openings. Cannonier, who came in on paper with the power advantage, found more success in the championship rounds, but could not score any meaningful damage without a response from Adesanya.
To the judges we go – drop your scorecards 👇 #UFC276 pic.twitter.com/odcglciyRz
— UFC (@ufc) July 3, 2022
The judges scored it 49-46, 49-46, and 50-45.
Adesanya scored his third consecutive win and fifth title defence but rival Alex Pereira’s TKO of Sean Strickland means he is likely in the mix of the title shot conversation. Intelligently, Adesanya called for Pereira in the post-fight press conference.
Cannonier had a two fight win streak snapped with the loss.
We also saw the recent retirement trend continue, with Donald Cerrone and Jessica Eye hanging them up after their fights.
The last ride of an iconic career. Thank you @CowboyCerrone 👏🤠 pic.twitter.com/LEF6Lnea6i
— UFC (@ufc) July 3, 2022
Robbie Lawler and Bryan Barberena earned Fight of the Night, while Jalin Turner, Julija Stoliarenko and Pereira earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 bonus.
These two absolutely DELIVERED 🙌@Ruthless_RL & @Bryan_Barberena earn your FOTN honors at #UFC276!
[ B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/N0a8byd5Gr
— UFC (@ufc) July 3, 2022
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the card.
UFC 276 FIGHT PASS PRELIMS
JESSICA-ROSE CLARK VS. JULIJA STOLIARENKO
OH MY GOODNESS 🤯
Julija Stoliarenko LADIES AND GENTLEMAN!!!
[ #UFC276 | Early Prelims LIVE on @UFCFightPass & ESPN+ ] pic.twitter.com/y1T3VkMUZj
— UFC (@ufc) July 2, 2022
WINNER: JULIJA STOLIARENKO VIA SUBMISSION (ARMBAR)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JESSICA-ROSE CLARK VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! Julija really went after it and got it.
JESSICA EYE VS. MAYCEE BARBER
Congratulations @JessicaEvilEye on a great career 👏
[ #UFC276 Early Prelims are LIVE NOW on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/zb2WgtXzAp
— UFC (@ufc) July 2, 2022
WINNER: MAYCEE BARBER VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MAYCEE BARBER VIA TKO
Andrews: Jessica saw the writing on the wall. It was time to move on. Nice career in the octagon.
#9 URIAH HALL VS. #13 ANDRE MUNIZ
Make that 9️⃣-straight for 𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑮𝑰𝑷𝑨𝑵𝑶! @AndreMunizUFC with the dominant victory at #UFC276.
[ #UFC276 | Early Prelims LIVE on @UFCFightPass & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/6LAtYddt7R
— UFC (@ufc) July 3, 2022
WINNER: ANDRE MUNIZ VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ANDRE MUNIZ VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Uriah Hall is a nice guy, but he needs to retire with performances like this.
UFC 276 PRELIMS
BRAD TAVARES VS. DRICUS DU PLESSIS
The opening fight of our ABC prelims goes to @DricusDuPlessis 👏
[ #UFC276 | Prelims LIVE on @ABCNetwork ] pic.twitter.com/gPvgHZiXDF
— UFC (@ufc) July 3, 2022
WINNER: DRICUS DU PLESSIS VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DRICUS DU PLESSIS VIA UD
Andrews: As expected Tavares was a tough test, but Dricus passed.
JIM MILLER VS. DONALD CERRONE
The last ride of an iconic career. Thank you @CowboyCerrone 👏🤠 pic.twitter.com/LEF6Lnea6i
— UFC (@ufc) July 3, 2022
WINNER: JIM MILLER VIA SUBMISSION (GUILLOTINE CHOKE) R2 1:32
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JIM MILLER VIA TKO
Andrews: It was clear Cowboy should have retired several fights ago. Amazing career, now go and be a movie star.
Andrews Prediction: Jim Miller via TKO
IAN GARRY VS. GABRIEL GREEN
STILL UNDEFEATED 😤@IanGarryMMA takes the UD victory to keep his undefeated record intact at #UFC276!
[ #UFC276 | Prelims LIVE on @ABCNetwork ] pic.twitter.com/IntOh06Nn8
— UFC (@ufc) July 3, 2022
WINNER: IAN GARRY VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: IAN GARRY VIA UD
Andrews: Garry is UFC certified.
BRAD RIDDELL VS JALIN TURNER
OHHHH MYYYYY @JALINTURNER!!!!!! 😳
[ #UFC276 | Prelims LIVE on @ABCNetwork ] pic.twitter.com/rxt6y7UK4U
— UFC (@ufc) July 3, 2022
WINNER: JALIN TURNER VIA SUBMISSION (GULLOTINE CHOKE) R1 0:45
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JALIN TURNER VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! Jalin Turner is likety-split for real.
UFC 276 MAIN CARD
#13 SEAN O’MALLEY VS. #10 PEDRO MUNHOZ
WINNER: NO CONTEST (ACCIDENTAL EYE POKE) R2 3:09
ANDREWS PREDICTION: SEAN O’MALLEY VIA TKO
Andrews: Let’s run this one back.
ROBBIE LAWLER VS. BRYAN BARBERENA
BAM BAM GETS IT DONE!!!!
[ @Bryan_Barberena | #UFC276 | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/f2ejdXxGz3 ] pic.twitter.com/4XTKFCLziZ
— UFC (@ufc) July 3, 2022
WINNER: BRYAN BARBERENA VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 4:47
ANDREWS PREDICTION: BRYAN BARBERENA VIA TKO
Andrews: Wow! Robbie put up a good fight, but again, here’s another guy that needs to retire.
#4 SEAN STRICKLAND VS. ALEX PEREIRA
DON'T PLAY WITH THE POWER OF POATAN 🤯
[ #UFC276 | #UFCFightWeek | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/f2ejdXxGz3 ] pic.twitter.com/mxp7nhek3P
— UFC (@ufc) July 3, 2022
WINNER: ALEX PEREIRA VIA KO (PUNCHES) R1 2:36
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALEX PEREIRA VIA TKO
Andrews: Now, we want to see the big one: Iggy vs. AP.
(C) ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI VS. #1 MAX HOLLOWAY
#AndStill @alexvolkanovski pic.twitter.com/26UUBguog8
— danawhite (@danawhite) July 3, 2022
WINNER: ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI VIA UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI VIA UD
Andrews: Even with a broken hand, Alex knew what to do and he did it. Excellent performance. Thank you, Max.
MAIN EVENT
(C) ISRAEL ADESANYA VS. #2 JARED CANNONIER
The @Stylebender reigns supreme #AndStill 👑 #UFC276 pic.twitter.com/cN507JFtLL
— UFC (@ufc) July 3, 2022
WINNER: ISRAEL ADESANYA VIA UD (49-46, 49-46, 50-45)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ISRAEL ADESANYA VIA UD
Andrews: Iggy’s height and reach once again give him the comfortable win to break Drake’s curse. But what about Alex?
The next UFC event is UFC Vegas 58, which is scheduled for Saturday July 9 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos takes on Rafael Fiziev in the main event.
