UFC Vegas 32 Main Card Highlights: TJ Dillashaw Returns With Narrow Decision Victory
An action-packed UFC Vegas 32 card delivered in spades, including a fight of the year contender, and the return of a former champion. Check out all the highlights from the card after the jump.
TJ Dillashaw def. Cory Sandhagen via Split-Decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-48)
TJ Dillashaw is back after his two-year suspension, and he looked very good, despite suffering a knee injury, and a brutal cut to his eye. In a good back and forth bout Dillashaw got the narrow edge, largely through his grappling and clinch work, which carried the majority of the fight. Not to say Sandhagen looked poor, but he did make some poor decisions and failed to capitalize on TJ’s seemingly compromised knee. A good fight that sets up Dillashaw for the winner of Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan in an attempt to reclaim his old title
It’s about that time! —@CorySandhagen goes head-to-head with @TJDillashaw on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus! #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/zxRzxzxxW9
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
Fireworks in store for us — #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/Ij7BiEu33r
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
No better way to get amped up — #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/Ew4DIO2MfK
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
Sandman going for another flying knee finish! —
[ #UFCVegas32 We’re LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/QkpY0CUFte— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
The Sandman finding his rhythm #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/CYRLeJ8SB3
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
SHEESH, this main event continues to deliver — #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/v4TJDW3yrh
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
Would hate to be the judges for this one — What a fight. #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/KM9G7s8q8D
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
DADDY’S HOME — @TJDillashaw #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/RraG7YhyZl
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
Raulian Paiva def. Kyler Phillips via Majority Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
In an incredible barn-burner, Kyler Phillips and Raulian Paiva went to absolute war. Phillips came out in the first and absolutely poured it on Paiva and nearly got the stoppage before Paiva was saved by the bell. However, Paiva came back in the second and took it to Philips who was tired from trying to get the finish in the first. The third round was more tactical and finally, the pace seemed to be affecting these two, but it was an incredible fight. While the scores could’ve gone either way, Paiva got the decision, but the real winner was the fans.
Your co-main is stepping in the Octagon —@KyMatrix takes on @RaulianPaivaMMA RIGHT NOW on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus! pic.twitter.com/1sGYJwzCfo
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
Your co-main is stepping in the Octagon —@KyMatrix takes on @RaulianPaivaMMA RIGHT NOW on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus! pic.twitter.com/1sGYJwzCfo
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
The Matrix letting it all go in Round 1️⃣
[ #UFCVegas32 LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/rQUhQOY4Lx— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
Shifting momentum —
[ #UFCVegas32 LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/0Vr2AtolzP— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
Round of Applause for these Bantamweight prospects — #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/ExB2ymII2C
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
Make that 3️⃣ in a row for @RaulianPaivaMMA —-
[ #UFCVegas32 ] pic.twitter.com/pZ4vjD6N3e— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
Darren Elkins def. Darrick Minner via TKO (Ground and Pound) (Rd. 2 3:48)
Darren Elkins remains an absolutely unkillable zombie. He survived numerous very dangerous-looking submission attempts from Darrick Minner including a d’arce choke, and an armbar, only to reverse the position and absolutely hammer a very exhausted Minner til the stoppage came. Elkins is really an amazing fighter, dude is a sponge who just absorbs his opponent’s offense until they’re too tired, and then he wins. No one else is like him in the sport.
Featherweights keep the main card moving —
—@DarrenElkinsMMA vs @DarrickMinner
[ #UFCVegas32 We’re LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/Ch1jZNViDz— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
HOW’D HE DO THAT?! — @DarrenElkinsMMA is an escape artist. #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/yHJyh13fas
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
—— ———— does it again! — #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/YayQyATi3w
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
— @DarrenElkinsMMA delivered the pressure!
[ #UFCVegas32 We’re LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/xDOvbCDltV— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
— @DarrenElkinsMMA is built ——————. #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/stkQjRZkVY
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
Maycee Barber def. Miranda Maverick via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
In a highly controversial decision, Maycee Barber emerged with the split decision over Miranda Maverick. Maverick clearly won the first round, as Barber came out very slow, and seemed to have done enough in the second to earn the decision, even though Barber did clearly win the third round. Post-fight Barber gave an extended shoutout to a Q-Anon affiliated group made famous with their affiliate with Drake Wuertz, so despite getting the win, Barber probably didn’t make many fans.
Talented flyweights take the stage —
— @FearTheMaverick vs @MayceeBarber are up NEXT!
[ #UFCVegas32 LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/8lA4Xh2PU1— UFC (@ufc) July 24, 2021
The future is still bright for @MayceeBarber
[ #UFCVegas32 LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/gTUV9hi4pE— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
ALL 21 media judges for MMA Decisions picked Miranda Maverick over Maycee Barber (source: https://t.co/soPou48Pmz) pic.twitter.com/ClXu19DD8g
— Jack Wannan (@JackWannan) July 25, 2021
Adrian Yanez def. Randy Costa via TKO (2:11, R2)
In a thrilling comeback, Adrian Yanez weathered an incredible storm that Randy Costa sent his way in the first round, to score the exciting second-round stoppage. This fight was an absolute banger and the easy fight of the night.
The #UFCVegas32 main card starts NOW —
— @YanezMMA vs @RandyCosta135
[ Tune in LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus all night — ] pic.twitter.com/iLrZaPjOkA— UFC (@ufc) July 24, 2021
THERE IT IS —
— @YanezMMA is the real deal. #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/KWgjgoIBrG
— UFC (@ufc) July 24, 2021
Make it 7️⃣ in a ROW!
— @YanezMMA found his groove to secure the TKO win at #UFCVegas32. pic.twitter.com/HRc2CKvcuF
— UFC (@ufc) July 24, 2021
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