Hierarchies: respected. During the night from Saturday to Sunday in Las Vegas, on behalf of UFC 296, the main event fighters mainly emerged victorious from their respective clashes, and in particular the two who fought for a belt: Leon Edwards in the welterweight (less than 77 kilos) and Alexandre Pantoja in flyweight (less than 57 kilos).
The two title holders retained their belts, both by decision after five intense rounds in the octagon. The first got rid of the hated Colby Covington, under the eyes of his “idol” Donald Trump, a few days after the latter had mentioned the assassination of Edwards’ father to raise the temperature at a press conference.
“Was it harder because of the anger? 100%, Edwards said. After the press conference I cried in the locker room. Since that day (of his father’s assassination), the pain when I think of my father is terrible. » In the end, it was a unanimous decision in favor of “Rocky” Edwards, who was able to enjoy while Covington… insulted the public.
In the other main event of the evening, “The Cannibal” Pantoja faced the American Brandon Royval. At the end of a very close fight, Pantoja, more impactful in his blows and dominant on the ground, finally retained his belt by unanimous decision of the judges.
Stricklant and du Plessis launch hostilities… in the stands
To remember in the other fights of the evening, the 18th victory in as many career fights for the “Nomad”, Shavkat Rakhmonov, against the American Stephen Thompson. For the 10th time in 18 fights, the Kazakhstani made his opponent crack with a submission. Seventh defeat in a row in the cage for Tony Ferguson, against the English sensation Paddy Pimblett who won by decision of the judges. In the stands this time, Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis did not manage to cross paths without exchanging a few blows, and got a head start on their main event of UFC 297, next January, which ‘already electric announcement.
The other major event of the evening in MMA was the fight in KSW (Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki, the Polish mixed martial arts league) between French sensation Salahdine Parnasse and Adrian Bartosinski, undefeated in the cage. Already crowned in featherweight (-66 kg) and lightweight (-70 kg), Parnasse could become welterweight champion, and therefore the first champion in three categories simultaneously in the history of MMA.
???? FEAR FOR SALAHDINE!
⚡️ A terrible knee strike from Bartosinski which made the Frenchman wobble but the latter had resourcefulness and managed to finish the round. pic.twitter.com/VbpZ25XQuu
— RMC Sport Combat (@RMCSportCombat) December 16, 2023
Unfortunately, despite a very good fight against a heavier and superior opponent on paper, Parnasse lost by decision of the judges. It was not for lack of resistance, and even better than that, even when “Bartos” delivered a devastating knee to his face during the 3rd round.
“It was a very competitive, very tough fight,” he said on RMC after the meeting. I made a decision with a guy who weighs 10kg more than me. I showed everyone that I was a real fighter. » While the Polish organization has announced the holding of an event in Paris in April 2024, Parnasse is already thinking about revenge. “If it’s hot, we’ll do it again in Paris in April,” he said, as soon as the decision was made. I will be hot with good preparation. »
