UFC 223 took place Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The card was headlined by a lightweight title bout between Al Iaquinta and Khabib Nurmagomedov.UFC 223 took place Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The card was headlined by a lightweight title bout between Al Iaquinta and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Closing odds are courtesy of Several Bookmakers. Here’s a quick recap of each of those fights.
Favorites that Won Khabib Nurmagomedov secured takedowns early in the bout and showed off a very good jab in the championship rounds as he dominated Al Iaquinta to win a decision and the UFC Lightweight Championship. Nurmagomedov closed -875 while Iaquinta closed +580.
Renato Moicano employed a beautiful game plan utilizing a speed advantage over Calvin Kattar to run away with a decision victory. Moicano closed -126. Kattar closed -104.
In an exciting three round fight, Zabit Magomedsharipov showed a little bit of everything as he out classed Kyle Bochniak to win a decision. Magomedsharipov closed -700 while Bochniak closed +500.
Despite a difficult final round, Karolina Kowalkiewicz did enough early in the bout to earn a decision victory over American Felice Herrig. Kowalkiewicz closed -190 with the return on Herrig +165.
Ashlee Evans-Smith landed punches in bunches as she won a unanimous decision over Bec Rawlings. Evans-Smith closed -214. Rawlings closed +169.
Underdogs that Won
In a very close back and forth contest, the women’s strawweight championship came down to the fifth and final round. Rose Namajunas landed the better strikes in the final round to retain her championship over former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Namajunas closed -112 with the return on Jedrzejczyk -118.
Chris Gruetzemacher earned the biggest win of his career with a TKO finish over Joe Lauzon in the second round. Gruetzemacher closed +125. Lauzon closed -145.
Former TUF winner Olivier Aubin-Mercier earned his first victory over a ranked opponent as he landed some heavy body shots on Evan Dunham to earn a TKO victory. Aubin-Mercier closed +120 while Dunham closed -140.
In a striker vs. grappler matchup, it was the grappler that got his hand raised as Devin Clark earned a decision victory in a workman like performance over Mike Rodriguez. Clark closed -108 with the return on Rodriguez -122.
