UFC has delivered the most excellent match-ups all month, from Cejudo vs. Sterling to Dern vs. Hill.
Let’s look at our top picks and what makes them the most outstanding bouts!
UFC 288: Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo
Aljamain Sterling defeated Henry Cejudo in a tough fight to set up a rematch with opponent Sean O’Malley. On the other side of the octagon, Cejudo made a comeback after three years to contend for Sterling’s bantamweight championship.
Five rounds of back-and-forth fighting featured little physical violence but plenty of excellent fight skills from both fighters. Ultimately, Sterling’s performance was superior, and two judges gave him the split decision victory. This marked his fourth successive championship defense.
UFC Fight Night 224: Mackenzie Dern vs. Angela Hill
Mackenzie Dern, a skilled grappler, outclassed Angela Hill in the octagon. Ultimately, she won her first UFC major event after two unsuccessful efforts.
Dern beat Hill by a unanimous decision, showcasing a diverse game. Dern seemed determined to take home the Blackbelt from the beginning of the strawweight bout.
Meanwhile, an overwhelmed Hill tried to stay on her feet in the first round. By the end, Dern had her opponent in a clinch which took Hill significant muscle power to release herself from.
The bout’s finale saw a prominent ground and pound from Dern’s side. Finally, she combined her hitting and grappling, emerging with a win.
UFC 288: Movsar Evloev vs. Diego Lopes
This featherweight match was a gamble by Movsar Evloev. He faced newbie opponent Diego Lopes putting his unbeaten record on the line. Furthermore, it was a close call for the undefeated champ.
Meanwhile, Lopes filled in as a substitute and performed admirably on five days’ notice. He showcased his fight skills by threatening with many near submissions. After three thrilling rounds, Evloev managed to avoid the danger and find his offensive stride, winning by unanimous decision.
Bellator 296: Brent Primus vs. Mansour Barnaoui
Brent Primus was forced to dig deep in enemy territory by Mansour Barnaoui, and the previous Bellator lightweight champ responded to the challenge.
Primus and Barnaoui got into a fast-moving back-and-forth fight, with the American finally winning by a unanimous vote. Primus won the fight 48-47 on all three judges’ scores after 25 minutes. He will now move on to the lightweight grand prix semifinals to face champion Usman Nurmagomedov.
Star Fight of The Month
Our pick for the Star fight is the Movsar Evloev vs. Diego Lopes bout. Evloev had to give everything he had to defeat promotional rookie Lopes. When Bryce Mitchell withdrew, Lopes agreed to fight on only five days’ notice. So, even though he did have his hand elevated, his reputation improved, and he showed that he belonged in the UFC.
He repeatedly threatened Evloev with outstanding submissions. He also received praise from Dana White and $50,000 for the “Fight of the Night” title.
Which one is your favorite fight from May? Let us know in the comments!
