After the highs of UFC 299, the promotion returned with a fight night card in the Apex center. UFC Vegas 88 saw heavyweight brawler Tai Tuivasa taking on Marcin Tybura. Tuivasa, who made a name for himself with his colorful personality and entertaining fighting style, was on a 3-fight losing skid heading into the bout. Unfortunately for the Australian, his hunt for a victory continues.
Marcin Tybura is one of the most underrated heavyweights in the division. Although he lost to Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov recently, Tybura had 7 wins in his 9 fights before taking on Tai Tuivasa. So many fans picked him to be the favorite based on recent form and Tybura proved them right!
Huge win for @MarcinTybura tonight 👏 #UFCVegas88 pic.twitter.com/XJ7eU33ec5
— UFC (@ufc) March 17, 2024
It was utter dominance in the main event. Tybura landed a total of 27 significant strikes and 73 strikes in total. On the other hand, Tuivasa managed only 15 significant strikes and 17 strikes in total. The bout ended at the 4:08 minute mark of the very first round after the Polish fighter locked in a rear-naked choke and tapped out Tuivasa. Aside from that, the card also featured many other interesting fights and let’s find out how they played out!
UFC Vegas 88 results
Main card
● Tai Tuivasa vs Marcin Tybura: As discussed already, Marcin Tybura looked amazing in the contest against Tai Tuivasa and can look forward to replacing the Aussie superstar as the 8th ranked heavyweight in the division. He will also get $50,000 on top of his fight purse as performance bonus. As for Tuivasa, this is his 4th loss in a row and it will be interesting to see which way his career goes.
● Bryan Battle vs Ange Loosa: The co-main saw welterweight fighters Bryan Battle and Ange Loosa battling it out. Although the first round was competitive, the bout reached an anticlimactic end as an accidental eye-poke from Battle left Loosa unable to continue. While the result was declared as a no-contest, things got heated between the fighters afterward.
Things got HEATED after Bryan Battle vs. Ange Loosa is declared a no-contest due to an eye poke.#UFCVegas88
pic.twitter.com/FyKGxb5ILm— TopTrends90 (@TopTrends90) March 17, 2024
● Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Ovince Saint Preux: In the light heavyweight division, Ovince Saint Preux defeated Kennedy Nzechukwu via a split decision. While neither landed a takedown, OSP managed to out-strike Nzechukwu in terms of numbers. He landed 143 strikes in total as opposed to Kennedy’s 106.
● Isaac Dulgarian vs Christian Rodriguez: The featherweight bout also ended in a split decision as Christian Rodriguez edged out Isaac Dulgarian. With 97 total strikes and 48 significant strikes, Rodriguez outlanded his opponent, who managed 22 significant strikes and 56 strikes in total. However, Dulgarian did manage to secure 7 takedowns.
Came out the gates ready to go 👀
Macy Chiasson gets the submission victory in round one! #UFCVegas88 pic.twitter.com/B2eMNIra5v
— UFC (@ufc) March 16, 2024
● Macy Chiasson vs Pannie Kianzad: Macy Chiasson scored a big submission win against Pannie Kianzad. At the 3:54 minute mark of the first round, Macy tapped out Kianzad via a rear-naked choke. Chiasson also earned an additional $50,000 in performance bonus for her stunning display on Saturday.
● Gerald Meerschaert vs Bryan Barberena: Gerald Meerschaert is one of the best grapplers in the UFC and it was on display once more against Bryan Barberena. At the 4:23 mark of the second round, GM3 submitted Barberena via a neck-crank.
Preliminary card
● Mike Davis defeated Natan Levy via an arm-bar submission.
● Chelsea Chandler defeated Josiane Nunes via a unanimous decision.
● Jafel Filho defeated Ode’ Osbourne via submission. (Filho earned $50,000 in performance bonus.)
● Danny Silva defeated Joshua Culibao via a split decision.
● Jaqueline Amorim defeated Cory McKenna via submission. (Amorim earned $50,000 in performance bonus.)
Four stunning performances in the Octagon have them leaving with tonight’s POTN honors #UFCVegas88 pic.twitter.com/s7XIIZVMPd
— UFC (@ufc) March 17, 2024
● Thiago Moisés defeated Mitch Ramirez via TKO.
● Chad Anheliger defeated Charalampos Grigoriou via unanimous decision.
What are your thoughts on the card? Let us know in the comments below.