It was Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier who got all the attention going in to UFC 242 Saturday afternoon in Abu Dhabi, but several other top-15 fighters plied their trade in the unfinished building as well.
The Dragon roars again! --@FelderPaul #UFC242 pic.twitter.com/hGzIAG32fk
— UFC (@ufc) September 7, 2019
#10 Paul Felder hoped to gain vengeance against an old foe in #7 Edson Barboza, after losing to him years before. He was able to do it, even as Barboza looked like the fighter of old. The decision was a controversial split, with Felder curiously being handed a 30-27 score card. Felder says if he doesn't get a big fight in the division, he might retire.
OOOOOH!
— UFC (@ufc) September 7, 2019
The spinning backfist lands for @EdsonBarbozaJR but @FelderPaul just EATS IT! #UFC242 pic.twitter.com/Vza1yRRjdn
Davi Ramos indicated that he'd give Nurmagomedov problems in a hypothetical bout between the two, but had #15 Islam Makhachev in front of him. As is turns out, Ramos couldn't get past that challenge, and ended up dropping a unanimous decision to his opponent.
HUGE KNEE --
— UFC (@ufc) September 7, 2019
---- @MakhachevMMA refuses to leave without the win! #UFC242 pic.twitter.com/k8wuTgpyRp
#4 Heavyweight Curtis Blaydes has only fallen to Francis Ngannou, and wanted to show he still belonged at the top of the heavyweight division against #9 Shamil Abdurakhimov. Blaydes dominated Abdurakhimov in a one sided beating that both showcased his wrestling ability, as well as his ground and pound work.
#5 Joanne Calderwood and #6 Andrea Lee both looked to get crucial wins in a wide-open UFC Flyweight division. In a fight with major title implications. The bout, affected by the excruciating heat, saw Calderwood take home a split decision victory as a betting underdog.
You can see our full UFC 242 coverage at this link, and our post-show podcast at this link.
