UFC 221 took place Sunday February 11, 2018 in Perth, Australia. The card was headlined by a middleweight fight between Luke Rockhold and Yoel Romero.
Closing odds are courtesy of Several Bookmakers. Here’s a quick recap of each of those fights.
Favorites that Won After being rocked by Mark Hunt in the opening round, Curtis Blaydes focused on his wrestling securing takedowns throughout the fight to win a decisive decision for the biggest win of his career. Blaydes closed -185.
Tai Tuivasa put on a show landing several heavy strikes on Cyril Asker before the referee stepped in to end the fight in the middle of the first round. Tuivasa closed -275 while Asker closed +235.
Tyson Pedro made quick work of Saparbek Safarov submitting him with a kimura in the first round. Pedro closed -300 with the return on Safarov +250.
Dong Hyun Kim edged out Damien Brown in a split decision in a bout in which both fighters had some success. Kim closed -135 while Brown closed +115.
Israel Adesanya impressed in his UFC debut as he landed to both the body and head as he finished Rob Wilkinson in the second round. Adesanya closed -365 with the return on Wilkinson +305.
Alex Volkanovski earned the biggest win of his career as he dominated previously undefeated Jeremy Kennedy to earn a TKO victory right before the end of the second round. Volkanovski closed -200 while Kennedy closed +170.
Ross Pearson fought a tactically smart fight landing the bigger punches to win a decision over Mizuto Hirota. Pearson closed -160. Hirota closed +140.
Jose Quinonez employed a leg kick heavy attack to pull out a decision victory over Teruto Ishihara. Quinonez closed -155 with the return on Ishihara +135.
Underdogs that Won With the fight tied a round a piece, Yoel Romero landed a huge overhand left behind the ear of Luke Rockhold which sent him spiraling to the canvas. Romero followed up with another big left hand that knocked Rockhold out to give Romero the victory. Romero closed +160 while Rockhold closed -185.
In one of the better fights in 2018, Jake Matthews beat Li Jingliang in a slugfest to win by well-earned decision. Matthews closed +125. Jingliang closed -145.
After nearly being finished in the opening round, Luke Jumeau came back to win rounds two and three to beat Daichi Abe by decision. Jumeau closed +140 while Abe closed -160.
Pickem Fighters that Won Jussier Formiga landing a devastating spinning back fist that sent Ben Nguyen spiraling to the canvas. Formiga followed up with a rear naked choke to get the submission and the win. Both fighters closed -110.
