UFC Vegas 76: UFC Apex; Las Vegas
The UFC’s seventh ranked middleweight; Sean Strickland holds his ground in the rankings, and will most likely improve on it after picking up his 15th-career finish. After not being enthralled with the fact a lot of fighters rather not face him, he had to play a big risk.
Abusupiyan Magomedov is a tough fighter with a full array of skills on the ground and in standing up. And right off the bat, he was mixing things up. An assortment of kicks were landing at will. But most of the hooks and jabs were being rolled with by Strickland.And in return Strickland was being econimcal in his attack, gathering info.
But the fight itself almost finished very early after an accidental eye poke by Magomedov. Afterwords, Strickland said:
“I almost got pregnant, it was so deep. I almost gave up…. But I want the title”.
Strickland’s corner CHRIS CURTIS between rounds picked up on things Magomedov wasn’t doing and told him. And the second the second-round started it was game on. The 32-year old Californian did what he has become known for. Letting the leather fly, and fly in a ferocious pace.
He landed stinging 1-2 combos, picking apart Magomedov along the fence line. While the Dagestani tried to cover up, it was as plain as day the pressure was bothering him. He tried to circle away from trouble but Strickland was zeroed in on his target. A right hand dropped Magomedov, and Strickland followed him down with ground-and-pound. It forced referee MARK SMITH to jump in at the 4:20 mark of the second round to wave off the fight.
Sean Strickland Holds His Ground In The Rankings… But Probably No Title Shot Next
There is no denying his chin, or his toughness; but a title shot won’t come next. But he is closing in on it. That said he needs an opponent. One that can match his toughness. There was just an all out war at middleweight between Jared Cannonier and Marvin Vettori. Both are above him (for now), and both fit the criteria. Either would be a fun tussle. Add in the fact that “The Killa Gorilla” handed him his last loss, a tight split decision.
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