Stephen Thompson beats Geoff Neal in UFC Vegas 17 Main Event

The Ultimate Fighting Championship hosted its remaining occasion of 2020 on Saturday with UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. No. 5 ranked welterweight Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson confronted off in opposition to No. 11 ranked Geoff Neal in the principle struggle card occasion.

Thompson beats Neal after a 12 months on the sidelines

Thompson and Neal closed the 12 months by going the gap in a struggle that left each fighters bloodied and bruised.

Neal pressured Thompson however could not field him. Thompson moved alongside the perimeter of the octagon utilizing his jab to maintain Neal at bay. Thompson used a excessive yield assault and used his footwork to keep away from Neal’s ahead assaults.

During the primary spherical, the 2 had an unintended head collision leaving each fighters lower off. When the struggle resumed, Thompson returned to touchdown his jab. In the second image, Thompson continued to stay and transfer. He handed Neal and set the tempo for the struggle.

Neal had his moments however struggled to seek out Thompson with strikes. He struggled to get inside Thompson and resorted to speeding ahead with a flurry of punches.

In the dying seconds of fourth body, Thompson injured his proper leg. At the tip of the spherical, Thompson checked his leg and limped to his nook. There was swelling seen round his proper knee.

In the ultimate spherical, Thompson’s motion was compromised. He was capable of transfer however Neal began to attach with punches. Thompson hit again, profitable the lap, however Neal had his greatest lap in the final. After 25 minutes of combating, the three judges scored the struggle for Thompson 50-45. (*17*)

“I have been gone for a year. I broke both hands in my last fight a year ago at UFC 244. I took a year off. It’s the longest time I’ve actually been, and I’ve been in the fighting game for a while, ”Thompson stated after the choice victory.

“Geoff is a tricky and hard opponent. He is rather like a rock. Every hit that I hit him with, he stored coming.

With the win, Thompson is now on a two-game profitable streak and desires to struggle somebody ranked forward of him in the division.

“It’s two in a row. I am definitely working my way. Give me someone. I want to see the NMF to the BMF. Let’s make this happen. Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson to Jorge Masvidal. I know he’s talking about fighting Colby Covington, but we’ll see, ”Thompson stated.

“Wonderboy remains to be right here. This title. 2021 shall be mine. You watch and see, however I’m simply glad to be again.

Stephen Thomspon beats Geoff Neal at UFC Vegas 17

Jose Aldo again in the profitable column, goal TJ Dillashaw

The struggle card featured 4 bantamweight ranked in the highest 15, which resulted in a giant reshuffle in the 135-pound division. In the principle co-event, former two-time featherweight champion and No.7 bantamweight ranked No.7 Jose Aldo confronted No.15 Marlon “Chito” Vera.

In the primary spherical, Aldo and Vera engaged in a vivid technical battle with each fighters touchdown kicks. In the center of the body, Aldo began focusing on Vera’s physique.

Vera put strain on Aldo in the second body as Aldo continued to attach in the mid part. Vera tied up Aldo and delivered the knees to the Brazilian’s physique and legs. Vera landed a block together with her left hand in the direction of the tip of the spherical. As the final body approached, the struggle was even.

Between rounds, Aldo’s coach requested him to take down Vera. Aldo did precisely that firstly of the stanza. He took Vera’s again and stayed on it for the remainder of the spherical. All three judges scored the competition 29-28 for Aldo.

“It’s important to get back to the winning column. It’s important to win. I have to thank all the people who trained me and the people who have been with us for a long time. I have to thank them all, ”Aldo stated after the choice victory.<!– –>

Aldo broke a three-game dropping streak with the win. Back in the win column, Aldo referred to as out the previous champion.

“As for my next fight, it will be (TJ) Dillashaw. We have talked a lot about Dillashaw. Dana, make it happen, ”he stated.

Jose Aldo hits Marlon Vera at UFC Vegas 17

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Rob Font knocks out Marlnon Moraes to get into bantamweight wrestling

No.11-ranked Rob Font stopped No.3-ranked Marlon Moraes in the primary spherical of their struggle. Moraes obtained early eliminations, however was unable to maintain Font down. Once standing, Font towers over Moraes. He gathered combos and shifted Moraes with a stiff jab. He dropped Moraes with an uppercut and it was solely a matter of time earlier than the end.

Police punched, elbowed and punched till the referee intervened to cease the struggle. It was Font’s first struggle of 2020, and the win places him on a three-game profitable streak.

” It has been a very long time. It’s been an entire 12 months of being seated. It was my third massive alternative. I lastly took benefit. I really feel moved proper now, ”Font stated after the victory.

“Once I hit him, I felt him give approach. I simply needed to keep on high of him. I believed it was a bit longer than anticipated, however I’m not complaining.

Rob Font cracks Marlon Moraes at UFC Vegas 17

Anthony Pettis wins welterweight title and plans light-weight comeback

In the bout featured on the preliminary struggle card, former light-weight champion Anthony Pettis defeated Alex Morono in a welterweight bout.During his post-fight interview, Pettis introduced his intention to return to the 155-pound weight class.

“I’m going down to 55. I felt great at 170, but my goal is at 155. Before it’s all said and done, I want to go back and get that belt,” Pettis stated.

Anthony Pettis kicks Alex Moreno at UFC Vegas 17

(Photos courtesy of UFC)

Jose Aldo addresses army crest worn on chest throughout UFC Vegas 17 struggle

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