Michael Chiesa cements himself as a legitimate welterweight contender, plus three big finishes on the UFC Fight Island 8 main card.
Take a look below at highlights from Wednesday's card, including: a head-spinning knockout, a crunching body kick finish and vice-like arm-triangle choke.
Michael Chiesa def. Neil Magny via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Chiesa optimized a takedown and top-control heavy game to dominate Mangy en route to a 4-1 unanimous decision. Even when Magny managed to land a take down, Chiesa quickly found himself scrambling to the more favorable position.
Your main event is coming at ya! --@MikeMav22 vs @NeilMagny make their walk in just moments.
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
[ #UFCFightIsland8 #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/xUTm6iP3nY
The Haitian Sensation makes his walk!
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
Will @NeilMagny get the finish tonight?
The action is live NOW on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus. pic.twitter.com/ARj5CiqEvi
The Maverick in the zone --@MikeMav22 makes his walk to the Octagon at #UFCFightIsland8.
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
[ #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/Jy2aVpqlNF
Here we go! --
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
[ #UFCFightIsland8 #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/Zfc0cOlDtg
The hype game is strong with @BruceBuffer --
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
[ #UFCFightIsland8 #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/qthimBAHrD
Win #4:
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
The UD goes to @MikeMav22 at #UFCFightIsland8!
[ #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/qumt2UVf9M
Warlley Alves def. Mounir Lazzez via TKO (2:45, R1)
Your co-main is on deck! --
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
---- @WarlleyAlvesMMA and @Mounir_Lazzez ---- are headed for the Octagon now.
[ #UFCFightIsland8 #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/dDcHGyztX5
And he's BACK!
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
---- @WarlleyAlvesMMA gets it done QUICK at #UFCFightIsland8.
[ #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/AI1JmYvwAG
ke Villanueva def. Vinicius Moreira via KO (0:39, R2)
"Hurricane" Ike Villanueva did right by his nickname, spinning Moreira like a cyclone with a KO overhand right.
The LHWs have entered --
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
---- @Hurricane_UFC takes on Moreira ---- NEXT!
[ #UFCFightIsland8 continues LIVE on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/kEJYr3nruU
JUST. LIKE. THAT. --@Hurricane_UFC with an insane right hook KO!
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
[ #UFCFightIsland8 #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/SOVOKl6WHH
Came with a point to prove! --@Hurricane_UFC notches his first UFC victory by KO.
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
[ The action continues LIVE on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/fke9df0tMW
Viviane Araujo def. Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Modafferi showed improved striking and a ton of heart, but it was not enough to stop Araujo from running away with a unanimous decision.
Our #UFCFightIsland8 main card continues...
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
---- @RoxyFighter meets @ViviAraujoMMA ---- in the Octagon next!
[ #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/Dl7PKL2ZGP
Respect --@RoxyFighter and @ViviAraujoMMA gave it their all in the Octagon.
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
[ #UFCFightIsland8 #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/V969mBAaPs
VIVI! ----
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
A stunning performance by @ViviAraujoMMA to get the W.
[ #UFCFightIsland8 #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/SwtOyG4THn
Matt Schnell def. Tyson Nam via split-decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Schnell vs. Nam was an under the radar rivalrly that went ever-so-slightly in Schnell's favor. The winning fighter was able to turn up the output and avoid Nam's nuclear power en route to a split decision.
Grab your popcorn for this one --
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
The action continues with @Danger_Caged vs @TysonNam!
[ LIVE on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/YEfAmiN0H8
By split decision! --@Danger_Caged is back in the win column after going the distance!
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
[ LIVE on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/idsVBwQHhO
Lerone Murphy def. Douglas Silva de Andrade via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Murphy put forth a strong effort against Silva de Andrade that earned him a clean sweep on one judge's scorecard.
Featherweights look out --
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
-------------- @LeroneMurphy vs @DSilva_MMA ---- are up next!
[ #UFCFightIsland8 #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/ODP2nTF5wP
UNDEFEATED --
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
-------------- 'The Miracle' @LeroneMurphy proving why he's one to watch!
[ #UFCFightIsland8 #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/H6Uz3XDwnb
Letting it all fly --
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
Which featherweight takes it in RD 3️⃣?
[ Tune in LIVE on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/dtUWpT6b6t
Omari Akhmedov def. Tom Breese by submission via arm-triangle-choke (1:41, R2)
Akmehdov battered Breese on the feet and on the ground. He significantly outstruck his opponent en route to flipping the script and submitting the submission specialist.
Opening up the main card with a can't miss MW matchup --
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
---- @Omari_Akhmedov and Tom Breese -------------- head to the Octagon now!
[ #UFCFightIsland8 #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/N0TYmtozpW
Pouring it on! --@Omari_Akhmedov is relentless in RD 1️⃣
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
[ #UFCFightIsland8 #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/IqI6mgsLO0
Another one! --@Omari_Akhmedov gets the finish to end it!
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
[ #UFCFightIsland8 LIVE on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/xOVoh8h0Ap
Back in the win column! --
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021
---- @Omari_Akhmedov gets the W via arm triangle submission!
[ #UFCFightIsland8 #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/yFEMhXIupH
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