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UFC Vegas 54 Highlights: Jan Blachowicz Stops Aleksandar Rakić Via Knee Injury

MMA UFC Kaitlyn
Ewan Ross May 14, 2022 11:53PM

After a pay per view card away in Phoenix, the UFC returned to the Apex in Vegas for a fight night card with names up and down the card. Check out the highlights from the light heavyweight #1 contender bout and everything else after the break.

Jan Błachowicz def. Aleksandar Rakic via Submission (Knee Injury) (Rd. 3 1:11)

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Jan Błachowicz cleared his path to a rematch against Glover Teixeira by defeating Aleksandar Rakic when the Serbian's knee gave out near the start of the third round. Each men had had their moments in the opening rounds, with Jan landing multiple leg kicks to soften up the knee, and also threaten with a triangle choke, while Rakic cut the Pole's eye, and had success on the feet. Unfortunate as the injury not only derails Rakic's accent up the division, but the injury also likely will set him back.

Ryan Spann def. Ion Cutelaba via Submission (Guillotine Choke) (Rd. 1 2:22)

In a chaotic and short fight, Ryan Spann took out Ion Cutelaba with a guillotine choke. Wild fight, that saw Cutelaba gain mount, but then almost immediately give up the choke. Fun bout.

Davey Grant def. Louis Smolka via TKO (Leg Kicks and Punches) (Rd. 3 0:49)

In a barnburner of a fight, Davey Grant got the third round finish over Louis Smolka. Grant came out on fire in round one, but Smolka didn't go away and rallied to win the second round before his leg buckled to Grant's repeated leg kicks in the third before Grant finished him off with some ground and pound.

Kaitlyn Chookagian def. Amanda Ribas via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Despite Amanda Ribas succeeding on a pair of head and arm throws, Kaitlyn Chookagian was able to do what she usually does and edge out the split decision victory.

Manuel Torres def. Frank Camacho via TKO (Punches) (Rd. 1 3:27)

In an excellent action bout, Manuel Torres got the TKO victory over the returning Frank Camacho. Both fighters seemed focused on landing heavy shots, and each got their chances, but Torrest started the finish with a massive uppercut, and finished the show with a 1-2 pull-counter that knocked down Camacho and got the stoppage. Fun bout while it lasted.

Allan Nascimento def. Jake Hadley via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

In a grappling heavy flyweight bout, Allan Nascimento was able to control Jake Hadley more than you're used to seeing in the flyweight division. Impressive performance by Nascimento to get his first UFC victory.

Viviane Araujo def. Andrea Lee via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)

In a very entertaining fight, Viviane Araujo emerged victorious over Andrea Lee in a battle between two top 10 flyweights. Lee caught Araujo with a massive combo ending in a headkick in the first round, but Araujo survived and was able to control the rest of the fight on the mat with some impressive wrestling and grappling.

Michael Johnson def. Alan Patrick via TKO (Punches) (Rd. 2 3:22)

Ending a slide of four consecutive losses, Michael Johnson got back into the winning ways in a big way by scoring a knockout over Brazilian Alan Patrick. While Michael Johnson did get trapped into some grappling exchanges in the first round, he was able to stay safe, and land a massive left to get the knockout.

Virna Jandiroba def. Angela Hill via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

In a fairly unspectacular bout, Virna Jandiroba fairly comprehensibly out grappled Angela Hill over three rounds, threatening with multiple submission attempts, before holding on to get the easy decision victory.

Tatsuro Taira def. Carlos Candelario via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

In an impressive debut, Japan's Tatsuro Taira dominated Carlos Candelario over three rounds. While Candelario was tough and game for the fight, but Taira was impressive on the feet in the first round, and then spent most of the latter two rounds on Candelario's back. Taira is one to watch going forward in the flyweight division.

Andre Petroski def. Nick Maximov via Submission (Anaconda Choke) (Rd. 1

In a massive upset, Andre Petroski gave Nick Maximov the first loss of his professional career by getting the submission in just over a minute. Maximov shot for a single leg, and Petroski was able to sprawl effectively, and lock up the Anaconda before dropping to his back to finish it off. Great finish to get the night started.

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