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After the unbridled excitement provided by UFC 264 last weekend, UFC Vegas 31: Islam Makhachev vs Thiago Moises understandably didn't generate much hype going in. But despite being a card that had little name value, it entertained for the most part.
Amanda Lemos recorded a rapid TKO win in the prelims, while Daniel Rodriguez continued his underrated and impressive UFC run. Sergey Morozov rebounded from his loss to Umar Nurmagomedov in confident fashion, dispatching Khalid Taha. On the main card, all five fights ended in a finish.
Here are the best and worst moments from UFC Vegas 31: Islam Makhachev vs Thiago Moises.
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#5 Best - Billy Quarantillo turns up the heat to open the UFC Vegas 31 main card
Entering his fight against Gabriel Benitez as a +135 underdog, Billy Quarantillo put on an exceptional showing to open the main card. The two fighters pushed a relentless pace right from the outset, trading wildly in the pocket.
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After Quarantillo scored an early knockdown in the first round, Benitez was able to weather the assault before conceding a bodylock. Unfortunately for him, it was a position he'd often find himself in. Quarantillo had great success on the feet throughout the first two rounds, mixing up his attacks with smart takedowns and seemingly always having Benitez on the verge of a submission.
In the third, Benitez landed a clean shot of his own to send Quarantillo to the canvas, eliciting hopes of a miraculous comeback. It wasn't to be, though. Quarantillo took his back once again and pounded away. Even as Benitez defended against the choke well, referee Mark Smith decided he had seen enough and called off the fight.
It was a strange stoppage, but it was probably a deserved one. Benitez's face was a bloody mess and he didn't seem like he'd find an answer to Quarantillo's constant pressure. The fight set the tone for the rest of the main card and was rightfully adjudged the Fight of the Night.
Also Read: UFC Vegas 31: Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises full card results and video highlights
#4 Best - Rodolfo Vieira redeems himself with superb submission
Earlier this year, at UFC 258, Rodolfo Vieira suffered the first loss of his professional MMA career. But that doesn't tell the whole story. A decorated exponent of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Vieira was submitted by Anthony Hernandez. It was a massive upset, with 'The Black Belt Hunter' later labeling it 'the worst day of his life'.
Against Dustin Stoltzfus, another grappler, Vieira had his moment of redemption. He came out throwing a snappy jab which hurt Stoltzfus in the first round, and while the second round was more evenly matched, he came into his own in the third.
Vieira appeared to be in decent shape even in the later stages of the fight, in sharp contrast to his loss to Hernandez. The Brazilian landed a few takedowns before pulling off one of the best submissions in recent memory. As Stoltzfus attempted to get to his feet following a scramble, he circled around to his back mid-air and locked in a choke in an instant.
Stoltzfus tapped even before they hit the ground, getting Vieira back in the win column. Importantly, Vieira showed that there's a lot more to his game than jiu-jitsu, and displayed marked improvements in his striking game and cardio. A few more wins like this could make him a genuine contender.
#3 Worst - Jeremy Stephens' woeful UFC run may have written a final chapter
Without a win in his last five UFC fights, Jeremy Stephens had the odds stacked against him ahead of UFC Vegas 31. He even saw a fight canceled after pushing Drakkar Klose at the weigh-ins, rendering him unable to compete. And 'Lil Heathen' showed little remorse for the incident, which was clearly his fault, saying he has 'zero tolerance for that type of behavior'.
Unfortunately for him, Stephens never stood a chance against the wrecking ball that is Mateusz Gamrot. 'Gamer' took him down within seconds before attempting a kimura, eliciting a tap from Stephens after just one minute had elapsed in the fight.
Stephens' defeat was ignominous for many reasons, one of which is the fact that he now has more losses (18) than anyone in UFC history. With a 15-18-1 UFC record and zero wins in his last six fights, the 35-year-old needs a miracle to save his drowning UFC career.
#2 Best - 'Cupcake' makes sweet return to the UFC
Fighting for the first time since November 2016, Miesha Tate coasted to a win at UFC Vegas 31, showing that she hasn't lost a step while on the sidelines.
'Cupcake' didn't seem rusty at all, throwing combinations with confidence before landing a trademark takedown late in the first round. She exercised control in the second as well, raining down punches from top position and on the feet in equal measure. Finally, in the third round, Tate became the first woman to finish Reneau, landing constant strikes after trapping the 44-year-old in a compromising position.
Tate has insisted that she's not just here to scratch an itch; she wants the belt. And she certainly took a step towards the same this weekend. Unfortunately for 'The Belizean Bruiser', her retirement fight ended in an all-time low.
#1 Best - Islam Makhachev gets the finish he desperately needed
Taking part in his first UFC main event against a slightly underwhelming opponent in Thiago Moises, Islam Makhachev desperately needed a finish to make a statement. And while he was rather lackluster in the opening stages of the fight, he entered the fourth round for the first time in his professional career and secured the submission win.
Moises, a BJJ black belt who has relied on his grappling to pull off wins, was always going to be a favorable matchup for Makhachev, whose grappling skills have been honed by the best in the world. Although the Brazilian had a few moments, such as his takedown of the Dagestani and a heel hook attempt, he was outclassed overall.
Makhachev landed an astonishing 76.3% of his strikes apart from three takedowns, proving just how hard to hit he is and furthering his case as a big threat to the lightweight throne occupied by Charles Oliviera. A top contender is next for the 29-year-old, who needed a convincing win and got just that at UFC Vegas 31.
