5 biggest winners from UFC Fight Night: Aspen Ladd vs. Norma Dumont

#2. Andrei Arlovski – defeated Carlos Felipe in a UFC heavyweight bout

Andrei Arlovski did enough to outpoint Carlos Felipe in their clash last night

If you rewind back a decade, the idea that Andrei Arlovski would return to the UFC and have more success – let alone still be winning fights in 2021 – would’ve been laughable.

Once considered one of the planet’s most feared heavyweights, ‘The Pitbull’ was in the midst of a skid that had him on the verge of retirement in 2011.

Somehow though, Arlovski made his way back to the UFC in 2014, and while he hasn’t been in title contention for a long time now, he keeps on trucking. He picked up his latest win last night over Carlos Felipe.

Sure, the win wasn’t hugely impressive. Arlovski used his smart footwork, movement and striking to pick apart the plodding Felipe early. However, he then gassed out badly and ended up in a bit of a brawl late, risking his victory in the process.

In the end, though, he’d built up enough of a lead on the scorecards to take a clear-cut unanimous decision, which now puts him on a surprising two-fight win streak.

How much longer Arlovski can keep going is anyone’s guess. He’s 42 now and feels vulnerable to a brutal knockout every time he steps into the octagon. However, the fact that he’s still able to win UFC fights at this stage of his career is remarkable – making him one of last night’s big winners.

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#1. Jim Miller – defeated Erick Gonzalez in a UFC lightweight bout

Jim Miller still has enough to run through lower-level opponents as he did last night

When you add in Andrei Arlovski’s victory over Carlos Felipe, it’s probably fair to argue that last night’s UFC event was one for the veterans. That’s because the biggest winner on show was Jim Miller, who picked up a thrilling knockout win in his 38th octagon appearance.

Admittedly, Miller wasn’t faced with an elite-level opponent in the form of Erick Gonzalez. ‘The Ghost Pepper’ was making his UFC debut, and his so-so record suggested doubts that he’d be able to hang with a veteran like Miller.

However, early on, he did well – tagging the veteran with punches and forcing him to shoot for a desperate takedown.

As the fight went on, though, Miller became more comfortable. He began to hurt Gonzalez with his left hand in particular.

The end came in the second round. The New Jersey native slipped a sloppy kick and simply waylaid ‘The Ghost Pepper’ with a left haymaker, knocking him senseless.

Miller may not have enough left in the tank to move back into the UFC lightweight division’s upper echelon. However, based on this evidence, he has more than enough to continue to truck lower-level opponents. On a forgettable night of action, he was definitely the biggest winner.