UFC 267 IN REVIEW: Results, Highlights, and the Most Impressive Performances
Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen put on a show, Chimaev and Makhachev dominate, Teixiera finally claims his belt.
Source: Bleacher Report
UFC 267, as many of the 2021 UFC cards, was one to remember. The Abu Dhabi card produced some exciting fights and some incredible individual performances, which will have fans hyped up as we quickly approach the fully stacked UFC 268 card. Here’s a look at the most significant and interesting fights of the night:
1. Lerone Murphy vs. Makwan Amirkhani
Featherweight Lerone Murphy remained undefeated after landing a perfectly timed knee knocking the UFC veteran out immediately. After an even first round, the knockout came right at the beginning of the second as Amirkhani shot for a takedown. Murphy remains undefeated and will be surely looking for an even bigger name opponent for his next fight, perhaps even one in the top 15.
2. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Li Jingliang
In his press conference, Chimaev promised to dominate, and he did that and more against the formidable Jingliang. In spectacular fashion, Chimaev shot for a takedown early in the first, picked his opponent up while exchanging words with UFC President Dana White at the same time, and smashed his opponent into the canvas. Jingliang gave up his back, which was all it took for Chimaev to sink in the rear-naked choke and force his opponent unconscious. An astounding statistic, Chimaev has now taken only absorbed 2 strikes from the opponents he has fought in the UFC and has dished out more than 400. Now ranked number 10, he will surely have his eye on a top 5 fighter.
Source: Getty Images
3. Islam Makhachev vs. Dan Hooker
Fan favorite Dan Hooker took the fight against Makhachev on short notice, having just fought and defeated Nasrat Haqparast. Islam shot for a takedown early, and controlled Hooker with his coach Khabib Nurmagomedov giving him instructions just a few feet away in his corner. Makhachev ultimately went for and completed a kimura submission on Hooker, who verbally tapped. Makhachev looks to be a real problem for the division, and will be looking to claim his title shot soon.
4. Petr Yan vs. Cory Sandhagen
Yan and Sandhagen are the true definition of “elite.” The two fighters put on a spectacular show at an extremely high pace, but Yan came out in the end with the victory by decision. The first few rounds were extremely competitive, but Yan slowly turned the tide and wore Sandhagen down, landing some clean head-kicks and dropping the American once. In the end it was a relatively dominant performance by the Russian, who will look to reclaim his belt after having it stripped in the fight against Aljamain Sterling.
Source: USA Today
5. Jan Blachowicz vs. Glover Teixiera
It was an incredible upset in the main event as 42 year old Glover Teixiera defeated the current champion Jan Blachowicz in incredible fashion. Blachowicz looked oddly off the pace from the very first minute, and Teixiera managed to get the fight to the ground early in both rounds, where he is the most dangerous. Teixiera ultimately flattened Blachowicz and sunk in the choke, forcing the Polish fighter to tap. This historic victory will surely be remembered, as Teixiera becomes the oldest first-time champion.
Source: Getty Images