An amazing night of fighting took place in Paris, France, for UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs Borralho. The crowd stole the show as the Paris fans have been some of the loudest and most passionate fans you will ever hear. So loud you can barely hear the announcers at times. The French pride was on full display, which you could tell helped the French fighters throughout the night. There were 7 fights and 7 finishes in the prelims and 4 finishes on the main card. Out of 13 fights, 11 ended in a finish. So many highlights and action-packed moments filled the card and made it one of the best fight nights of all time.
UFC Paris Recap:
William Gomis vs Robert Ruchala: Featherweight
William Gomis defeats Robert Ruchala by unanimous decision. Both men showed their kickboxing skills in this fight, as well as mixing in hints of grappling. An amazing back-and-forth striking battle between the two. However, Gomis had the clear speed advantage. His kick-heavy offense was tough to deal with, and his kicks to the body were brutal throughout the fight and were the difference maker. Ruchala mixed in takedowns to neutralize Gomis’ offense that had some success, but Gomis found his way back to his feet and continued his high-volume striking. Ruchala had his moments on the feet too and even landed a head kick in the third round that stunned Gomis. Ultimately, though, Gomis outpaced and outlanded Rachula for the decision win. Gomis is someone that the featherweight division needs to take note of moving forward.
Axel Sola vs Rhys McKee: Welterweight
Axel Sola wins dramatically in his UFC debut against Rhys McKee. After a slower start in round one, each round became more and more intense. Both men were landing big shots throughout the fight, and it seemed like a knockout blow could come at any moment. Axel started to slowly wear McKee down as the fight went on and dealt heavy damage. McKee showed great heart, and while bloody and tired, he kept pressuring Sola and walking him down. The third round started with a bang as both fighters came out swinging for he fences. The fans could feel an impending KO coming, and they received just that. Sola landed a huge punch to McKee’s body that put him down before landing big ground and pound to get the TKO win. A big win in Sola’s debut, and MMA fans will be looking forward to seeing him down the line.
Bolaji Oki vs Mason Jones: Lightweight
Mason Jones smashes Bolaji Oki to get the TKO victory in round two. After a hectic first round where both men were almost knocked out by each other, Jones gained his composure and let his experience take over. Both men looked good in their striking but the grappling is where Jones had a clear advantage in. He threw down Oki effortlessly numerous times throughout the fights and threw in submission attempts as well. In the second round he tossed Oki over his body and down to the mat and pounced on him. He gained full mount and rained down brutal elbows that seemed never ending. He would secure the comeback victory by TKO in what was likely the fight of the night.
Modestas Bukauskas vs Paul Craig: Light Heavyweight
Modestas Bukauskas knockouts out Paul Craig with one of the biggest elbows you will see in the octogon with one second left in round one. Bukauskas took the fight right to the dangerous grappler in Craig and was not afraid to plat his game. He rushed in with flurries of punches that landed flush and used his kicks and distance well. Craig and Bukauskas went back and forth in the clinch for a large portion of the round. With about 30 seconds left, Craig pulled guard to try and set up a submission attempt but Bukauskas was not fazed. He hit Craig with big ground and pound shots before landing a massive elbow to knock Craig out cold. A big win for Bukauskas but this was also Paul Craigs retirement fight. Craig will retire 17-10 in his career and has the second most submissions in light heavy weight history. A great career for Craig who is now ready to put the gloves down.
Benoit St Dennis vs Mauricio Ruffy: Lightweight
Benoit St Dennis mauls Mauricio Ruffy and gets the round two submission win. Dennis looked unstoppable in this fight. The mixing of the striking and grappling was excellent and he kept Ruffy guessing the whole fight. Dennis even got the better of the exchanges on the feet as well. Many fans thought would be difficult for him as Ruffy is an amazing striker. Dennis executed his gameplan perfectly and used his grappling to dominate Ruffy. The crowd also played a big part in this performance. The french native put on the best performance of his career in front of his home family and the crown noise was deafening. A superb display of mixed martial arts from Dennis who continues to be one of the highest rated prospect in the UFC.
Nassourdine Imavov vs Caio Borralho: Middleweight
Nassourdine Imavov dominates the stand to get the unanimous decision win against Caio Borralho. Imavov was firing on all cylinders tonight. Nothing Borralho threw his way fazed him and he had answers for everything. Boraalho did have a higher strike count across multiple rounds but the damage inflicted by Imavov was the difference maker. His takedown defense was great, especially against a grappler like Borallho, and his kick boxing looked amazing. Imavov is #2 ranked in the middleweight division and has proved that he is next for the shot at the title. His next fight will surely be against Khamzat Chimaev for the middleweight belt. The MMA world will see if he has what it takes to take to give Chimaev his first loss and take his championship.
