UFC 295 will be remembered as a night where history was made and new contenders emerged in the Octagon. The event, held in the heart of New York City, provided fans with an action-packed night that culminated in two violent finishes as Tom Aspinall knocked out Sergei Pavlovich in the co-main event and Alex Pereira defeated Jiri Procházka by TKO to claim the vacant light heavyweight title belt. After a dazzling night of violence here are the major takeaways from UFC 295:
Alex Pereira is An All-Timer
The night was particularly momentous for Alex Pereira, who, with his victory over Jiri Prochazka, became just the 9th fighter in UFC history to be crowned a two-division champion. This remarkable achievement underscores his exceptional power and versatility in the Octagon. Following his win, Pereira wasted no time in setting his sights on future glory, calling out Israel Adesanya, signaling his ambition to continue the rivalry which he leads overall three wins to one. Periera defeated Adesanya twice when they both fought at Glory Kickboxing, and was the first middleweight to defeat Adesanya, taking his belt. Adesanya was able to knock out Pereira to reclaim his middleweight title before losing it again to Sean Strickland. Izzy said he would like to take some time off, but Pereira wants a rematch as they are both tied one a piece in the UFC. Adesanya didn’t seem interested in fighting Pereira at the 205-lb lightweight division.
Tom Aspinall Eyes Jon Jones
Perhaps the most significant development of the night was Tom Aspinall’s call for a title unification bout with Jon Jones. Aspinall’s rapid knockout of Pavlovich has set the stage for a potential clash with Jones, a matchup that many fans and analysts are eagerly anticipating. While UFC President Dana White plans for Jones to fight Stipe Miocic once Jones is healed from injury, the demand for Aspinall vs. Jones is gaining momentum. Aspinall right now looks like the best heavyweight fighter in the world and that includes Francis Ngannou.
Loopy Godinez Makes History
Among the night’s standout moments was Loopy Godinez’s victory, which etched her name in the UFC history books. She became the first female fighter to secure four octagon wins in a calendar year, a feat achieved despite a controversial scorecard. This win not only cements her place in history but also propels her forward as a rising star in the strawweight division.
The Rise of Benoit Saint-Denis
The lightweight division witnessed the ascent of a new destructive force – Benoit Saint-Denis. His head-kick knockout of Matt Frevola was both brutal and beautiful, underscoring his lethal prowess in the Octagon. With this victory, Saint-Denis joins the conversation among the lightweight elite, a division known for its ferocity and technical brilliance.
UFC 295 was a demonstration of the ever-evolving landscape of MMA. Tom Aspinall’s combination of strength, movement and technique is something that the UFC has never seen at the heavyweight division. He continues to demolish opponents and with the interim heavyweight belt, he is looking for a unification bout against Jon Jones, a man who has never lost but might not be able to withstand the combo of power and skill that Aspinall presents. On the other hand, Pereira continues to terrorize opponents at the light heavyweight division. It will be interesting if he is able to get a rematch with Jan Blachowicz or face former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill once he is healthy and in fighting shape. What is certain is that Pereira has arrived and has made his mark as one of the most feared fighters ever in the UFC. As the dust settles, the achievements and aspirations from UFC 295 will reverberate throughout the MMA world, setting the stage for even better matchups and more opportunities to make history
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