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UFC Fight Island 3 officially concluded the string of events in July that took place in the famous Fight Island. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi hosted an entire month worth of fights and has become a star of its own. While UFC will undoubtedly return to Fight Island at some point, this was the final stop for the global MMA leader UFC before heading back to Las Vegas.
The next UFC fight night will be at the start of August from the UFC Apex.
#7. Khamzat Chimaev vs.Rhys McKee - Chimaev makes a stunning UFC turnaround
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Khazmat Chimaev picked up McKee right off the bat and got a takedown. A brutal welcome to the Octagon for Rhys McKee, but he turned around. Chimaev started the ground and pound and landed some big shots. He constantly tried to twist out of the mount but continued to eat more shots. The referee warned him and then he stopped it. He took zero punches en route victory.
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Khazmat Chimaev def. Rhys McKee via TKO (1st round, 3:09)
#6. Alex Oliveira vs Peter Sobotta
Round 1: Alex Oliveira had the advantage in the early going. He found early success with the body kick. His elusiveness prevented Peter Sobotta from landing. Sobotta possibly suffered a broken hand late in the round.
Round 2: Peter Sobotta tried to take Oliveira to the fence but the Brazilian broke out early on. Oliveira continued to find success with the body kick, but one landed on the groin, forcing a stop. A shot from Oliveira to the head earlier cut Sobotta open. Oliveira managed the distance well and was actively looking for the kick that had caught Sobotta's attention. The fight was then halted after an unintentional eye poke from Oliveira. After the restart, Sobotta got a calf kick, only to get knocked down from a shot.
Round 3: Oliveira managed to get Sobotta down. Oliveira seemed to have issues with his toes. Oliveira didn't do too much in the third round, but enough to avoid Sobotta's offense. He utilized the body kick again.
Alex Oliveira def. Peter Sobotta by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
#5. Gadzhimurad Antigulov vs Paul Craig
Round 1: Gadzhimurad Antigulov tried to take Paul Craig down and he simply took him down. Craig tried to get the triangle and Antigulov gave him too much space. When the triangle attempt, Antigulov made the big mistake of focusing on punches rather than defense and he was caught in the triangle. He got the submission in a big way.
Paul Craig def. Gadzhimurad Antigulov by submission (Triangle choke) (Round 1, 2:06)
#4. Carla Esparza vs. Marina Rodriguez
Round 1: Marina Rodriguez got taken down by Carla Esparza the moment she tried to strike. The former Champion wasted no time in getting shots to the body. The entire round was Carla Esparza efficiently keeping her down while working enough to prevent the referee from separating them. The positions were then reversed and Esparza tried to get a leg lock. Rodriguez sliced her open and landed a right hand. She missed a kick and Esparza went for the takedown and just barely managed to get one at the end. However, it didn't seem like she won the round.
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Carla Esparza vs Marina Rodriguez (cont.)
Round 2: Marina Rodriguez was moving forward at the start of round two but Carla Esparza was relentless in getting another takedown. She continued the pressure and Rodriguez tried to go for the triangle but she wasn't able to do so. When Esparza attempted a submission she ended up eating some brutal shots right on her cut.
Round 3: The final round started strong for Rodriguez but Esparza had her in a favorable position, landing a few clean strikes. Esparza dominated on the ground and Rodriguez tried to get a triangle but couldn't. Esparza got another takedown in the final fifteen seconds to secure the round and the fight.
Carla Esparza def. Marina Rodriguez by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
#3. Alexander Gustafsson vs Fabricio Werdum
Round 1: Alexander Gustafsson moved forward and landed early on. Fabricio Werdum changed levels but Gustafsson did well in his takedown defense. Werdum didn't let go of his arm and beautifully transitioned into an armbar attempt. Gustafsson tried hard not to let go of his clutch, but the Brazilian former Champion was too much for him. Gustafsson tapped in the first round.
Fabricio Werdum def. Alexander Gustafsson by submission (armbar) (Rd 1, 2:30)
#2. Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Round 1: Shogun Rua started slow but inside leg kicks had an instant impact on Antonio Nogueira. Nogueira was throwing a limited set of punches while Shogun Rua seemed to win that round. However, a clean punch from Nogueira landed late on while Shogun got the takedown.
Round 2: Shogun couldn't land despite some nice feints. Nogueira's head movement was proving well. They began an exchange and Shogun landed clean while Nogueira got him down with a shoulder charge. Nogueira was in top position and landed a few good shots. Shogun did well to scramble and escape the hold before landing a clean punch. Shogun changed levels but was denied a takedown. Shogun landed a few more clean shots and there was a small exchange before the round ended.
Round 3: Nogueira was moving forward in what looks to have been the final round of his career. Shogun caught the veteran with a right hand. He continued to catch Nogueira and took him down in the final minute. Shogun had an extremely strong finish.
Shogun Rua def. Antonio Nogueira by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Nogueira confirmed that this will likely be the end of his illustrious 21-year career.
#1. Robert Whittaker vs Darren Till
Round 1: Darren Till charged in to start. Darren Till managed to knock Robert Whitaker down but it didn't seem to be a clean shot. Till looked to be going in with all guns blazing while Whittaker moved back. Till went for a kick that was blocked by Whittaker's hand. The former Champion Whittaker managed to get a counter but it seemed to be a clear first round for Till.
Round 2: Robert Whittaker landed within thirty seconds of the second round. This time, Whittaker was the one who got the knockdown with an overhand right. Till grabbed on to Whittaker to stall. Whittaker jumped over and changed positions to find the space to get his shots. Whittaker climbed back up to take Till's back but they would end up on their feet again. Darren Till moved forward and attempted a head kick but it was blocked. A dominant round for The Reaper Robert Whittaker.
Round 3: Robert Whittaker moved forward but he seemed a bit reckless in one attempt. Darren Till avoided a huge kick and his body movement seemed looser and more relaxed. Whittaker attempted a takedown but disengaged and landed a shot. The rest of the round was Whittaker going forward and getting the better of Till.
Round 4: Darren Till got a shot in but it barely grazed Robert Whittaker's forehead. Halfway into the round, Darren Till landed an elbow and a couple of more strong shots, but Whittaker's chin proved to be good enough on that occasion. Till started coming off stronger in the round, but nothing excessive to hurt Whittaker or rock him. Whittaker started mixing things up in the last 40 seconds of the round, but the overall volume and output were a bit lesser in round five.
Round 5: Darren Till started aggressively. He landed a neat jab and Till began to slow down. Whittaker changed levels but wasn't able to get much out of it. Till pressed with a left jab. Whittaker got a few shots in but it wasn't anything too big. His head movement prevented him from eating too many shots but one shot landed and sliced Whittaker open. Whittaker landed a takedown and then another, but on both attempts, Till got right back up.
Robert Whittaker def. Darren Till (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
