UFC 300 Upset Brewing

Live updates and results from UFC 300

Author:
Justin Barrasso
Apr 14, 2024

Alex Pereira Finishes Jamahal Hill

Alex Pereira did not even need a round to finish Jamahal Hill.

undefined — Alex Pereira

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

Just over three minutes into the first round, Pereira dropped Hill with a left hook, then ended the bout with a vicious array of shots.

Shame on me for ever doubting him.

In his first bout since January of 2023, Hill (12-2, 1 NC) was never able to implement his game plan or land any shots of significance. The first clean shot by Pereira (10-2) put Hill away, adding a new chapter to a legendary run.

Pereira gauged the distance and timing, then attacked. The victory is especially meaningful, as Pereira has now defeated both Hill and Jiri Prochazka, the two former champions who both had to vacate their titles due to injury. A champion in two different weight classes, Pereira carves his name into MMA history with each victory.

In the post-fight Octagon interview, Pereira hinted that he would like to fight at heavyweight in Brazil. The UFC visits Brazil on May 4, and that card would receive a significant boost if Pereira took on interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall.

Zhang Weili Successfully Defends Strawweight Title

Zhang Weili defeated Yan Xiaonan three different times at UFC 300.

The third one made it official, as Weili was declared the winner when the judges scored this fight in her favor by unanimous decision.

Weili locked in a rear naked choke in the closing moments of the opening round, and the fight could have been called right then. But Xiaonan somehow made it to the end of the end, stumbling to her feet after the bell, which allowed the fight to continue.

In the second round, it was more of the same. Weili was in complete control, quickly bringing Xiaonan to the ground and dominating with her grappling. Her ground-and-pound flurry, where Xiaonan was defenseless, also appeared to end the fight. But referee Jason Herzog never called and end to the bout, and Xiaonan, to her credit, fought back to her feet.

Incredibly, Xiaonan started to make this a fight in the third and fourth rounds. Yet she never put Weili in any type of serious danger. After a strong third and start of the fourth by Xiaonan, the final seven minutes of the fight all favored Weili.

Weili (25-3) continues to set the standard for the division. Despite the loss, Xiaonan (17-4) put on a very tough, gritty performance.

Max Holloway calls his shot, knocks out Justin Gaethje with buzzer beater

The BMF bout surpassed even the highest expectations.

Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje fought to the very last second, with Holloway knocking Gaethje out with one second remaining in the fight.

From start to finish, Holloway (26-7) looked absolutely elite. The victory against Gaethje (25-5) opens the possibility for title bouts in two different divisions. And, following that spectacular knockout, there is no denying his place as UFC’s BMF.

The first round also ended in emphatic fashion, with Hollowing drilling his heel on Gaethje’s nose with a spinning back kick. It appeared that his nose was broken, completely altering his breathing. Holloway also did a tremendous job with his right hand, attacking Gaethje’s body, starting off the fight in impressive form.

Just over three minutes into the second round, Holloway accidentally poked Gaethje in the eye. But Gaethje did not look for a way out, and the fight quickly resumed. Moments later, Holloway accidentally poked Gaethje’s other eye. Despite absorbing the punishment, Gaethje was still competitive, landing a leg kick that bothered Holloway’s left leg.

Round three was full of action. Gaethje fought with a busted nose, Holloway battled through a welt on his left leg, and both still traded shots. Fifteen minutes into the fight, Holloway was just too quick and too precise, never allowing Gaethje to control the fight or deliver significant damage.

The fourth saw Gaethje finally land. He started to hammer Holloway with his striking, especially his jab, and knocked Holloway down with a clean shot to his temple. His right hand did real damage, nearly causing Holloway to suffer the first knockout of his career.

Holloway landed a phenomenal combination two minutes into the fifth, switching up his speed and drilling Gaethje with five straight brutal shots. Somehow, Gaethje survived. But it was a testament to what a masterpiece this was from Holloway, who looked elite.

The future will be fascinating for both fighters. At this point, there is no denying Holloway a shot at featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, or, potentially, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. As for Gaethje, the loss puts him squarely behind Arman Tsarukyan in the title picture.

Arman Tsarukyan Defeats Charles Oliveira by Split Decision

In the closest decision of the night, Arman Tsarukyan defeated Charles Oliveira.

The split decision finish was extremely close, especially considering Oliveira locked in extremely tight submission attempts in the first and third rounds. But Tsarukyan controlled the majority of the fight, and the victory will put him position to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title.

This bout started in spectacular fashion. Oliveira applied a guillotine in the opening moments, yet Tsarukyan found a way to escape. Tsarukyan even turned Oliveira over. But before he could take advantage of the position, Oliveira hit him with an illegal kick. Oliveira was not docked a point, and after a brief break, the fight resumed. In the waning moments of the round, Oliveira worked his way back to his feet as the two traded shots.

Tsarukyan was able to gain the top position again in the second, then finally started to land some slicing elbows. He also landed an axe kick, controlling almost the entire second round.

The third round was even until Tsarukyan landed a takedown. He was eventually able to score a back take, limiting the offense output for Oliveira. But Oliveira reversed the position with under a minute to go, locking in a very tight D'arce in the final 30 seconds. Tsarukyan stayed patient and did not tap, and that moment was another reminder that this fight should have been a five-rounder instead of three.

Oliveira (34-10) remains one of the most exciting fights in the world, but Tsarukyan (22-3) is now next in line for a title shot.

Bo Nickal Decimates Cody Brundage

The rise of Bo Nickal continues.

The overwhelming odds favorite, Nickal (6-0) extended his undefeated streak by forcing Cody Brundage to submit in the second round. Despite some swinging in the opening moments of each round, this bout was fought on the mat, with Nickal perfectly executing his game plan of taking Brundage down and then applied submission attempts and ground-and-pound.

Brundage (10-6) did not make it easy, but he could not withstand Nickal’s second and third takedown attempts. Once Brundage (10-6) allowed Nickal to mount him with three minutes left on the clock in the second round, the end was inevitable. Nickal could not set up the arm triangle, instead finishing Brundage with a rear naked choke.

Nickal, 28, has all the tools necessary to become a major star in the middleweight division. The UFC matchmakers have been cautious with Nickal’s opponents, but it is time for him to test himself against the top 15.

Later tonight, Jamahal Hill regains the title he never lost.

Alex Pereira is the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, but he has never encountered anyone like Hill, who he faces tonight in the main event of UFC 300. Not only does Hill possess knockout power, he also attacks with a lethal sharpness and speed. He is carving out a legacy by finding openings and then landing, and he is the type of opponent built to overpower Pereira.

Pereira faced two very talented light heavyweights in Jiri Prochazka and Jan Blachowicz, yet neither has the same dynamic skill set as Hill. Pereira’s accomplishments will not be diminished whatsoever with a loss, as what he has achieved in the UFC is nothing short of remarkable. Yet title reigns are not designed to last long, and Pereira’s time on top is running thin.

Follow along all night for updates, results, and analysis from UFC 300.