UFC Fight Night 170 survived the global trend of sporting events getting cancelled as the promotion decided to go ahead with the exciting card inside the empty Nilson Nelson Gymnasium in Brasilia, Brazil.
The fans were sadly not allowed to enter the arena due to the Coronavirus fears, however, the show went on and it was pretty entertaining for the fans watching it from their living rooms all around the world.
The incredibly crafty Charles Oliveira took on Kevin Lee in the main event while veteran BJJ maestro Demian Maia faced fellow BJJ ace Gilbert Burns in the co-main event.
Johnny Walker was also on the main card as he fought Nikita Krylov. It was a fight fan's card and it ended up being a great event to watch and here are the results and highlights of the same.
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UFC Fight Night 170 Results - Prelims
Brandon Moreno def. Jussier Formiga via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Amanda Ribas def. Randa Markos via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25)
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Aleksei Kunchenko via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Enrique Barzola vs. Rani Yahya ended in a Majority draw (29-28, 28-28, 28-28)
Maryna Moroz def. Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
David Dvorak def. Bruno Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bea Malecki —def. Veronica Macedo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
UFC Fight Night 170 Results - Main Card
#1. Francisco Trinaldo vs. John Makdessi (Lightweight)
We began the main card with a Lightweight clash between Francisco Trinaldo and John Makdessi, both of whom ended 2019 with big wins.
Trinaldo kicked off the main card in his favor as he asserted his dominance in the first round. He began in southpaw and was the one landing his shots and combinations in the opening rounds. Trinaldo mixed it up with body kicks and three-piece combos. Makdessi was finding it tough to land a big strike and Trinaldo took advantage of his opponent's sluggishness by taking the first round in the books.
Makdessi picked up the pace the second round as he used the kicks and landed to the body and legs, with the jabs coming into the picture as well. He got in a check hook and continued to land kicks. While Trinaldo attempted and did land a few combinations, especially the 3-2s, Makdessi leveled it on the scorecards heading into the final round.
Makdessi continued to use the kicks and he avoided getting hit by Trinaldo's heavy-handed punches. Trinaldo, however, was more dynamic with his striking as he landed two-piece combos, body shots, uppercuts and knees. The fight ended with Trinaldo going for a cartwheel kick, which he missed, but he did manage to land an elbow on his way out.
Result: Franciso Trinaldo def. John Makdessi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
#2. Johnny Walker vs. Nikita Krylov (Light Heavyweight)
Johnny Walker is a showman of the highest order but he needed to bring his A-game today as he was coming off a crushing loss to Corey Anderson. Nikita Krylov also needed a big win as he was beaten via split decision in his last Octagon appearance against Glover Teixeira.
In the end, it was the Ukrainian who had the last laugh inside the empty Nilson Nelson Gymnasium. Krylov had a game plan and he executed it from the first round. He managed to close the distance and got the fight to the ground. While Walker did get some offence in, it was Krylov who enjoyed most of the success in the first round of the fight.
He didn't take his foot off the pedal, though, as he landed an early takedown in the second round after coming in hot with a series of punches. Walker wasn't idle on the mat as he got the guard and attempted an arm triangle himself. However, he conceded his position and Krylov took side control. Both men scrambled for positions in the second round and exchanged shots on the ground, and it ended up being a close round to call.
Krylov unsurprisingly went for the takedown again in the third and final round, but this time, Walker swept and got into top position. Krylov ended the fight on a high as he unleashed elbows and short punches, and that was enough to get him the win.
Result: Nikita Krylov def. Johnny Walker via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Has the hype surrounding Johnny Walker truly come to an end? He is now on a two-fight losing streak and it would take a big performance to rebuild his credibility as an all-action finisher.
As for Nikita Krylov, The Miner put on a professional performance and picked up a massive win.
#3. Damir Hadzovic vs. Renato Moicano (Lightweight)
After two consecutive losses at featherweight, Renato Moicano's coach told him to move up to the Lightweight division and he obliged.
Welcoming him to the new weight class was Bosnian fighter Damir Hadzovic, who had three wins and three losses in the UFC heading into the fight.
Moicano kept it simple and wrapped it up in the first round itself. He took the fight to the ground, got in the body triangle, slipped in the Rear Naked Choke and forced the tap in merely 44 seconds. The former Featherweight fighter made it look as easy it could get.
Tempers flared after the fight, however, as Moicano tried to get into Hadzovic's face. The officials and team members of both fighters stepped in and stopped the situation from going out of control.
Result: Renato Moicano def. Damir Hanzovic via submission (RNC) (Round 1, 0:44)
Moicano' first fight at Lightweight against The Bosnian Bomber was an easy payday for the Brazilian and he intends on staying in the division as he called out Paul Felder in his post-fight interview. Would the UFC book a fight between the #7 ranked fighters from two different divisions? Sounds good to us.
#4. Demian Maia vs. Gilbert Burns (Welterweight)
The co-main event has been a dream fight for every BJJ fanatic. Demian Maia was the old guard who is widely considered to be the greatest BJJ exponent in the UFC. Former BJJ World Champion Gilbert Burns claimed that it was his time now to carry the baton and all he needed to do was to get a win over his fellow countryman.
Burns showed why he was the favorite heading into the fight as he landed a few kicks and straight punches in the early goings. Maia pushed his opponent towards the cage and like expected, shot for the single-leg takedown. Burns' defense held up as Maia worked towards getting him down from the back.
Maia was patient as he worked for an RNC. The body triangle was in, and the under hooks were about to follow before Burns slithered out and got back to his feet.
The 33-year-old Burns didn't waste any time on the stand-up front as he dropped Maia with a clean left hook. Burns got his hands up as he thought the fight was done, however, Demian was still in it and Burns had to apply the finishing touches with a furious series of hammer fists and punches.
Result: Gilbert Burns def. Demian Maia via TKO (Round 1, 2:34)
It was an emotional win for Burns as he had followed Maia all his career and beating him ranked as a major career highlight for Durinho.
Burns called out Colby Covington in his post-fight interview. Chaos vs. Durinho? Interesting!
#5. Charles Oliveira vs. Kevin Lee (Lightweight)
The Motown Phenom and do Bronx entered the Octagon for the main event of the evening, with Charles Oliveira coming in to prove a point as he was on a six-fight win streak. Kevin Lee had ended Gregor Gillespie's undefeated record in his last fight and he seemed to have found his swagger back.
Oliveira didn't need time to warm up as he came in all guns blazing with jump-in kicks and the much-needed pressure. Lee weathered the storm and landed a jab and a 1-2 before being taken down to the mat. Oliveira was his creative self as he looked for different submissions. He scouted for an RNC first, but Lee turned and almost got into full guard. Oliveira then looked for a heel hook but Lee scrambled and got into full guard again. While Lee had top control, Oliveira attempted many submissions from his back. Lee landed heavy elbows from the top until the hooter went off.
Oliveira continued to press forward as he went for a spinning back fist to kick off the second round. Both men exchanged some powerful shots and they didn't back off. The stayed in the pocket and threw clean shots. Oliveira hurt Lee with an uppercut and a follow-up right, and the Motown Phenom moved away, which hinted at his displeasure. Oliveira went for the knee and Lee caught it and landed the takedown. Oliveira attempted the armbar before transitioning to the arm triangle. The scramble ended with Lee on the top in half guard. Lee controlled the fight on the mat and slowed the pace of the contest. Lee got up to his feet with Oliveira attempting up-kicks and hammer fists from the back. The round came to an end with Oliveira going for a heel hook.
The Brazilian continued his trend of beginning the round hot with a jump-in front kick. Lee replied with a hay-maker. Lee grabbed the leg for a single-leg. However, Oliveira grabbed Lee's neck, took him down, locked in the guillotine and got the tap. Lee claimed to have not submitted but the replays clearly showed that he did tap a few times.
Result: Charles Oliveira def. Kevin Lee via submission (guillotine choke) (Round 3, 0:28)
Oliveira's streak lives on. He is now seven fights without a defeat and he will now be knocking on the doors of the top-ranked fighters of the Lightweight division. Well-deserved.