UFC Vegas 31 was a card that looked to be lacking a little bit on paper, but it's main card delivered nothing but finished, and had an exciting comeback from a beloved former champion. See all the highlights after the jump.
Islam Makhachev def. Thiago Moises via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (Rd. 4 2:38)
In a largely uncompetitive main event, Islam Makhachev thoroughly dominated Thiago Moises and found the finish in the fourth round. Moises never looked dangerous in any of the grappling exchanges, and it just seemed a matter of time before the finish would come. Post-fight Makhachev called out Rafael dos Anjos, and it's overtime for him to get a big-time opponent.
Preparation meets opportunity --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
---- @ThiagoMoisesMMA makes his #UFCVegas31 walk NOW. pic.twitter.com/6RQot8BEad
Ready for these moments --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
---- It's @MakhachevMMA time. #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/ybcc3Cf5eF
Closing out a memorable event inside the APEX #UFCVegas31 -- pic.twitter.com/sIu2FERkWR
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
Takedown number 1️⃣ for @MakhachevMMA. #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/soO1rwNheE
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
Coach @TeamKhabib implementing 'Father's Plan' -- #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/bOkh8UE8JY
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
Always in control --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
---- @MakhachevMMA sinks in the RNC to close the show! #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/LN4z3LnmS6
Another win for Coach Khabib! --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
[ @TeamKhabib #UFCVegas31 ] pic.twitter.com/A2l46AYrPr
"You can run, but you can't hide. I'm coming. I'm here." --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
-- @MakhachevMMA calling out the lightweight division. #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/3LBO542jKq
Miesha Tate def Marion Reneau via TKO (Punches) (Rd. 3 1:53)
After nearly five years since her last fight, Miesha Tate looked like she hadn't skipped a beat in winning every round against Marion Reneau, before finding the finish in the third round. Not only did she show the wrestling we have known, but her jab was a very pleasant surprise. Post-fight Tate announced she's here to make a run for the title, not just a single comeback fight, and Reneau left her gloves in the cage announcing her retirement.
SHE’S BACK! --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
-- It’s time to welcome @MieshaTate’s return to the Octagon. #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/SxeaD0KJD0
Time to clock in one last time
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
[ #UFCVegas31 @BelizeanBruiser ] pic.twitter.com/k1KjQmIQha
--Cupcake back to her bread and butter! -- #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/ntbHVXBhGj
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
TATE 2.0 --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
Miesha Tate has officially reignited her career --
[ #UFCVegas31 is LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/RgOa0fv7sA
-- The bantamweight belt is on @MieshaTate's mind after that performance! #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/GPT2V6G2A4
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
Mateusz Gamrot def. Jeremy Stephens via Submission (Kimura) (Rd. 1 1:05)
In a very impressive performance, Poland's Mateusz Gamrot went right through a tough veteran in Jeremy Stephens. He locked up a takedown very early in the fight, and while Stephens attempted a Kimura to attempt a sweep, it was Gamrot who wound up getting the Kimura and securing the submission.
3️⃣0️⃣ combined finishes!
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
Don’t blink when @LilHeathenMMA and @Gamer_MMA square off!
[ #UFCVegas31 LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/pXldfMEeD7
Takedown! Kimura! Tap! --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
-- Textbook finish by @Gamer_MMA. #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/NDEab0kioW
Clocked in. Clocked out. --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
-- @Gamer_MMA winning at #UFCVegas31. pic.twitter.com/YWhjAAOVhn
Rodolfo Veira def. Dustin Stoltzfus via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (Rd. 3 1:54)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Rodolfo Veira bounced back after the shocking submission loss in his last fight with an excellent performance against Dustin Stoltzfus. Veira did a much better job managing his gas tank this time, and showed considerable growth in his striking before finally closing the show by displaying his world class grappling by choking out Stoltzfus for the win.
-- @BillyQMMA looking for some honeymoon money! #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/7VDRJQRsk1
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
INCREDIBLE --Rodolfo Vieira finished with STYLE --#UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/XTVv8ncUj8
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
A true submission expert! --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
----Rodolfo Vieira showed his dominance on the ground!
[ #UFCVegas31 continues on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/2iknqE0lBg
Billy Quarantillo def. Gabriel Benitez via TKO (Punches) (Rd. 3 3:40)
In easily the fight of the night Billy Quarantillo defeated Gabriel Benitez in a bloody war. Quarantillo managed to dominate most of the fight, while not taking anything away from Benitez who certainly had his moments. In the third round, as Quarantillo was obviously fading, he scored a key takedown, found his way to the back and got the stoppage via ground and pound from the back-mount. Find this fight if you can, it was great.
A fun matchup on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
-- Tune into @Moggly_Benitez vs @BillyQMMA at #UFCVegas31. pic.twitter.com/St1WQTVGXK
DROPPED HIM! --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
What a start for @BillyQMMA. #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/IrbggkO4OG
Ending round 2️⃣ with more action -- #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/Ak8cNhGDUZ
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
NOW MOGGLY FINDS HIS SHOT --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
This fight is wild! #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/4uSRbvFcGw
BILLY Q --
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
-- Puts the finishing touches on an incredible performance! #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/1dOIB7u49I
-- @BillyQMMA looking for some honeymoon money! #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/7VDRJQRsk1
— UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
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