
Athletes
Saturday’s UFC Fight Night event is in the books, and now that the dust has settled in Las Vegas, it’s time to go to the scorecard to see who the big winners were at the UFC APEX.
Given the fact that he’s seemingly been around forever, it’s easy to describe Jose Aldo as being up in years in the fight game. But the former featherweight champion and current bantamweight contender is still only 35. Sure, he’s been in some wars and is probably closer to the end of his career than the start of it, but after five rounds with Rob Font, the Brazilian star looked like he’s in prime position to make another title run. And while the old tools are still there, it’s been Aldo’s willingness to show off different aspects of his game and his fight IQ that are keeping him a step ahead of some of the best 135-pounders in the world.
WHAT’S NEXT? Aldo versus TJ Dillashaw is the super fight that never happened. Now it can, so let’s see it in 2022.
Watching Rafael Fiziev dissect, then finish, Brad Riddell on Saturday, it’s almost impossible to remember “Ataman” getting stopped in his 2019 UFC debut by Magomed Mustafaev. Since then, Fiziev has steadily become a punishing force at 155 pounds, earning consecutive post-fight bonuses in his last four fights. Kudos to Brad Riddell for stepping up to face his former training partner, because not too many will with the punishing and technical striker.
WHAT’S NEXT? Tony Ferguson
Bouncing back from the first loss of his pro career, Jamahal Hill showed no ill effects from that defeat, taking just 48 seconds to defeat fellow light heavyweight contender Jimmy Crute. His striking on point, Hill hurt Crute early and didn’t let him off the hook. It was a statement-making victory for “Sweet Dreams,” who ended 2021 on a high note.
HIGHLIGHT: Watch Hill Knockout Crute
WHAT’S NEXT? Johnny Walker
A few days before his 40th birthday, Clay Guida showed off vintage Clay Guida against Leonardo Santos, surviving an offensive barrage from the Brazilian in the first round to submit him in the second. When Santos went on the attack in the opening frame, a lot of referees would have stopped the fight, but Keith Peterson let it continue, and the brief respite between rounds was all “The Carpenter” needed to make his move. At 1:21 of round two, Guida submitted the BJJ black belt and added another memorable moment to a career filled with them.
WHAT’S NEXT? Alexander Hernandez or Mason Jones
Even before his Saturday win over Brendan Allen, Chris Curtis was owner of one of the feel-good stories of the year thanks to his stunning debut knockout of Phil Hawes, which came after a long journey to the big show. Last weekend, he beat another top prospect in Brendan Allen, and now we can’t look at the “Action-Man” as a one-hit wonder, but the kind of fighter who can make some serious noise in the 185-pound weight class in 2022 and beyond.
Check-Out Curtis' Athlete Profile
WHAT’S NEXT? Ian Heinisch