After the long-awaited UFC 300, it's safe to say it exceeded everyone's expectations. Before we get to the fights we need to talk about the buildup to the fight, Dana White in an attempt to increase the stakes for the fighters increased the fight bonuses to 300,000 dollars and it's clear this paid for itself with the excitement from the fights. You will have fireworks when you create a fight card with all but one fight without a ranked fighter. From the first fight to the last fight, you had to be glued to your screen so as not to miss the exciting knockouts and submissions from people who have mastered their craft.
After Jamahal ruptured his Achilles in July of 2023 and had his belt taken from him everyone was excited to see him make his return to the Octagon against Alex Pereira. Alex Pereira seemed unstoppable coming into the fight after his unprecedented run through the UFC. As if built by stone Pereira has been unstoppable from day one (Other than his one loss to Israel Adesanya via Knockout). For the BMF title fight Justin Gaethje came in on a high, regarded as one of the best fighters in the Lightweight division Gaethje came into the fight having knocked out Dustin Poirier via a vicious head kick to acquire the title of BMF (Baddest Motherf****r). Max Holloway came into the fight making his comeback to the Lightweight division after fighting the last 5 years in the Bantamweight division. Holloway had never been even knocked down and was known as the most prolific striker the UFC has ever seen. Charles Oliveira's buildup to the fight was watched very closely, Charles has captured the love and admiration of the UFC world due to his inability to give up. The buildup to the fights was spectacular but the results were even more amazing.
Hill started his fight by going for the legs early and often trying to keep his range from Pereira's dangerous left hook. Alex kept the fight balanced letting Hill control the pace but still keeping the edge. Hill landed a hit on Alex's groin area and reacted for a second while the ref came in to give a stoppage for Alex, Alex waved off the ref and kept fighting. Almost immediately Hill goes in for a punch and as if he was waiting for that exact move Alex throws his left hook which finds Hill's chin and knocks him down where a few finishing shots end the previous light heavyweight champs night.
Holloway vs. Gaethje the fight of the night and the BMF title bout came down to a contest of wills. Gaethje spent his time destroying Holloway's leg and Holloway found a good target in Gaethje's nose which was already bloodied and broken by the end of the first round. By the fifth round both fighters were exhausted and hurt in the last 30 seconds Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje meet in the middle and start throwing everything they have left after a barrage of punches from both of them Holloway finds Justin's chin with two seconds left and Gaethje is asleep before the final bell rings. Holloway takes the BMF title and I speculate that he will either rematch Gaethje for it or give Dustin Poirier another chance to claim the belt.
Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan was a sad affair for those who bought into the Oliveira magic. Oliveira put up a good fight but was dominated by the ground striking and takedown ability of Arman who won via split decision.
UFC 300 was undoubtedly the best UFC fight card ever and was the perfect liftoff to UFC 400. The current stars of the sport perfectly encapsulate the future of the sport and what the UFC will look like for years to come.
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