I’m not going to lie; I almost didn’t even watch this card. I was actually going to go see the new Spiderman movie instead but when my girlfriend suddenly didn’t feel well, I grabbed a cold one, turned on FOX, and decided to live Tweet about the event.
I knew the fights would be good, but I wasn’t expecting this. This card delivered on every level. Every fight was exciting, every fighter was looking for the finish, and there was even some great call outs in the post-fight interviews.
Here’s the breakdown of #UFCLongIsland:
Rivera defeats Almeida
This was a battle. The decision was clear but props to Almeida, he was dropped a number of times and kept moving forward. He even landed a few flurries of his own, but Rivera was just getting the better of him standing up. You’ve got to give Rivera full credit for his post-fight interview, calling out TJ Dillashaw and Dominick Cruz, putting himself in conversation for title contention. Absolutely genius.
After 20 straight wins @JimmieRivera135 called out everyone, including @dominickcruz! Dom had words back for him! https://t.co/GrnjYPgudi
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 23, 2017
Cummins edges out Villante
Villante was clearly the better fighter tonight, but heart and toughness won this fight. Villante got the best of Cummins early in the first round, even dropping him but Cummins grinded back, and made it a war. Cummins was a bloody mess, literally, but the man with the 1920’s pedophile mustache fought through it, using the takedown to stifle the striking of Villante in order to come out with his hand raised.
#AmbulanceSelfie one more time #ForTheLadies #UFConFOX25
Fight Of The Night pic.twitter.com/ZWLSd7u1t0— Patrick Cummins (@OfficialDurkin) July 23, 2017
Elkins molests Bermudez
Elkins won by split-decision but this fight wasn’t as close as the judges called it. Granted Bermudez got the better of Elkins standing up but he spent most of the fight with Elkins strapped to his back. I was actually rooting for Bermudez for that hideous piece of “artwork” on Elkins chest alone. Elkins won in the octagon, but not in life with that ridiculous thing he calls a tattoo.
Darren Elkins makes FW limit ahead of his #UFCLongIsland co-main event bout with Dennis Bermudez. Full video: https://t.co/8SMlKQmLsI pic.twitter.com/EPnP2BanI7
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 21, 2017
Weidman submits Gastelum
This was a make or break fight for both fighters. Weidman was desperate for a win after three straight losses to Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero, and Gegard Mousasi. It was also a fight that was going to let you know whether or not middleweight was actually the division for Gastelum, which we found out he’s more of an oversized welterweight than an actual middleweight.
Michael Bisping had a response for Chris Weidman's callout after #UFCLongIsland but Chris didn't back down… https://t.co/joxZYtN2y1
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 23, 2017
None-the-less Weidman was able to pull out the win in his hometown. He then proceeded to act like he had won the belt back, and even called out the current middleweight Champion, Michael Bisping. Here’s the thing though, beating an oversized welterweight after three straight losses doesn’t exactly scream number one contender to me.
It’s actually a bit of a joke. I felt good for the guy initially but how are you going to call out the Champ after beating a man who’s middleweight resume only includes, one laughably over-the-hill Vitor Belfort, and a Tim Kennedy who hadn’t fought since 2014? I mean, honestly? But who knows in todays UFC. It’s more about entertainment rather than sport, so maybe there’s a chance we actually see that fight.
In fairness, I’d pay to watch it.
