UFC Vegas 44 featured a knockout of the year contender, a comeback of the year contender, and the greatest of all-time turning the clocks back and putting in a vintage performance. Check out those and all the rest of the highlights from the card after the break.
Jose Aldo def. Rob Font via Unanimous Decision (50-45 50-45, 49-46)
Jose Aldo showed why he truly is an all-time great, by essentially shutting out Rob Font over five rounds to secure the decision victory.
The King of Rio enters the Octagon in Vegas ---- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/dHZS6qtW2x
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Make way for the Boston boy -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/XNVXVCJtr5
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Font is able to secure an early takedown on Aldo! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/gyiJ4BVEZH
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Now Aldo wobbles Font -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/1a82j8tU5f
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
VINTAGE ALDO INSIDE THE APEX -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/hmk6gnJ4ci
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
THE CRAZINESS CONTINUES IN THE FIFTH ------ #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/WHO1Hqwn9Z
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
-- JOSE ALDO JUNIOR!!!!!!!! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/eVb7rpGUdv
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Rafael Fiziev def. Brad Riddell via TKO (Spinning Wheel Kick) (Rd. 3 2:20)
After two and a half rounds of excellent back and forth action, Rafael Fiziev submitted himself for Knockout of the Year lists, by landing a picture-perfect spinning wheel kick to get the TKO victory over Brad Riddell. Excellent bout.
------@BradQuakeRiddel vs @RafaelFiziev has certified banger vibes for sure --
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
-- Your co-main is LIVE on @ESPN now! pic.twitter.com/PjhUCsc92q
These quick combos have been happening all fight! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/y1NYOkxxtJ
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
WHEEL KICK!!!!! @RafaelFiziev landed it on the button -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/5Oo8IERQ1m
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Highlight after highlight, he delivers! -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/x2lh2ZoOd0
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Jamahal Hill def. Jimmy Crute via KO (Punches) (Rd. 1 0:48)
Jamahal Hill got the very early knockdown on Jimmy Crute, and then secured the finish with an absolutely devastating hammer first, all within the first minute.
You’re NOT going to want to miss this one! --
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
---- @CruteJim vs ---- @JamahalH starts NOW!
-- [ #UFCVegas44 LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/OEbIXYlW5A
Landing early in RD 1 -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/MYPJxaVxAy
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
SWEET DREAMS!! --
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
---- @JamahalH gets the finish in under a MINUTE! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/MMth2WnQNi
HE. MEANS. BUSINESS. --
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Make that 9️⃣ wins for @JamahalH in the UFC Octagon! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/7m10YZZ36r
Clay Guida def. Leonardo Santos via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke (Rd. 2 1:21)
In an incredible comeback, Clay Guida was nearly beaten to death in the first round, but was somehow able to weather the storm and secure the submission victory over Leonardo Santos.
Always a fun fight --@ClayGuida meets @LeoSantosBJJ at #UFCVegas44 NOW!
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Tune into @ESPN or @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/2eDdDYX1X9
Right on cue -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/zzOeYfF2N0
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Santos has him hurt early -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/z2VMhIdxz4
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
WHAT A COMEBACK!!!!!!!@ClayGuida is a wild man -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/vqLNGUR1zR
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
How can you not love @ClayGuida? -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/e7QEpyRu69
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Chris Curtis def, Alonzo Menifield via TKO (Punches and Knees) (Rd. 2 1:58)
By securing his 6th MMA win of 2021, and his 2nd UFC knockout in under a month, Chris Curtis is making an unlikely run at being Fighter of the Year award nominee.
WOAH -- ‘All-In’ goes head-to-head with ‘Action-Man” NEXT!
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
---- @BrendanAllenMMA vs -- @ActionMan513 is LIVE on @ESPN! pic.twitter.com/cYKRyGIDrf
BIG combos landing on both sides -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/mpGfwXwvdC
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
HE DOES IT AGAIN!!! -- @Actionman513 with a HUGE win! pic.twitter.com/cv8ckD7Jq9
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Statement. Made. --
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
That's two finishes in a MONTH for @Actionman513 -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/KXiNqVoTLC
Alex Morono def. Mickey Gall via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Mickey Gall was unable to secure the takedown, and without that Alex Morono was able to easily outpoint him striking to secure the decision victory.
Main card action coming your way! --@AlexMoronoMMA vs @MickeyGall is up first on @ESPN! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/OW58PwHWvi
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Drops him --
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Letting the hands loose early! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/JjHWcC0B3d
-- The Great White strikes again!@AlexMoronoMMA makes it 3️⃣ in a row! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/a5iQcnmIGy
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Dusko Todorovic def. Maki Pitolo via TKO (Punches) (Rd. 1 4:34)
Dusko Todorovic scored a brutal TKO victory via ground and pound against Maki Pitolo when he just devastated him from back mount with some heavy, heavy punches.
What happens when ‘Coconut Bombz’ -- and ‘Thunder’ enter the Octagon?
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
-- @Coconut_Bombz vs @Todorovic_UFC starts NOW!
[ #UFCVegas44 LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/LZRdH39b70
THUNDEROUS SHOTS from @Todorovic_UFC #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/Inhn0XPH4V
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Getting the job done in RD 1
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
---- @Todorovic_UFC gets the TKO win! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/qFkLqk6OFJ
Manel Kape def Zhalgas Zhumagulov via TKO (Rd. 1 4:02)
Manel Kape was able to get the finish vs Zhalgas Zhumagulov near the end of the first round by unleashing an ungodly flurry of punches that eventually led to the ref stepping in.
Who's walking away with the win? --
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
It's ---- @ManelKape vs ---- @ZhakoZhumagulov!
[ LIVE on @ESPN #UFCVegas44 ] pic.twitter.com/JSmc9VTLEx
Speed and volume! --
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
---- @ManelKape only needs one round tonight! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/JRoS3XN22S
That's the StarBoy -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/Ri4t280IbR
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Bryan Barberena def. Darian Weeks via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bryan Barberena gritted out a decision victory over Darian Weeks in a very fun fight.
Welterweights ready to THROW DOWN!
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
-- @Bryan_Barberena vs -- Darian Weeks is LIVE!
-- [ Tune in to #UFCVegas44 on @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/LyJsTZMZCB
So we're just throwing people now? -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/fS77RzMIhs
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Punches landing from BOTH sides in RD 2! -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/yuF7qw0Rfw
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Non-stop striking -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/8viPaWrYJk
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
BAM BAM --
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
---- @Bryan_Barberena gets the win by UD! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/o5mKReOKLn
Cheyanne Vlismas def. Mallory Martin via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Cheyanne Vlismas was able to get the decision win over Mallory Martin over three rounds.
Ladies taking center stage --
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
-- @CheyWarPrincess vs @MalloryyMartin.
[ LIVE on @ESPN #UFCVegas44 ] pic.twitter.com/UnAQ13rFh7
-- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/AZdyncWoxH
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
We need proof!
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Has @DC_MMA thrown a baseball 95 mph before? -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/QjdWSQHhAV
The Warrior Princess --@CheyWarPrincess adds another 'W' to her resume! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/QOF1hZa9Si
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
William Knight def. Alonzo Menifield via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
In a battle that featured ample swanging and banging, William Knight was able to do enough over the first two rounds that his diminished gas tank was able to coast through the final round and get the decision victory over Alonzo Menifield.
Expecting a knockout? --
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Tune into @ESPN to find out as @AlonzoMenifield vs @Knightmare205 is NOW! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/G60U6MeQz8
THE BIG BOYS ARE SWINGING!!!! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/lJeLzGKUMX
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Listening to Bisping and letting it go --
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Two rounds down on @ESPN. #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/C5U2VzZyno
Pumped up! --@Knightmare205 is going home with the UD win. #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/CTHSxFjMrR
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Claudio Puelles def. Chris Gruetzmacher via Submission (Kneebar) (Rd. 3 3:25)
Claudio Puelles was leading on the scorecards late in the third round, when he was able to find an odd slow-developing knee bar submission to get the finish over Chris Gruetzmacher.
WHAT. A. START. --
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
---- @CloxMMA vs ---- @SodaPopFuzz continues the prelim action! --
[ #UFCVegas44 LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/lWLghLufj7
Another finish! --@CloxMMA locks in the kneebar. #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/DtGyUOCZ55
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Vince Morales def. Louis Smolka via KO (Punches) (Rd. 1 2:02)
Vince Morales shut Louis Smolka's lights out with a hook directly behind the ear near the mid-point of the first round to get the KO victory.
-- Okay let's GO!
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
-- @LastSamuraiUFC vs @Vandetta135 get #UFCVegas44 started on @ESPN and @ESPNPlus RIGHT NOW! pic.twitter.com/6hNEJW8XPw
That's how you start the show! --@Vandetta135 gets the finish in RD 1️⃣! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/6asiBa5Qte
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
'Vandetta' showing off that 135 power -- #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/fKZS8YwUbp
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Fightful has all of your MMA needs covered. Follow us on Twitter for updates, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for ‘Fightful Fight Night’ watch alongs for all major MMA and Boxing events!