The UFC spent a boat-load of cash on UFC 189 and while some last minute card changes coupled with unprecedented levels of expectation could have put the event in jeopardy, it bloody delivered.
There was a very tangible feeling of it being a card of two halves after the first five fights, Neil Seery v Louis Smolka excluded, were less than thrilling.
But the last six fights provided some of the most stirring excitement that the octagon has ever seen, with six of the most breathtaking finishes you’re ever going to see.
Here are the warriors who have earned our appreciation this week.
Knockout of the night – Jeremy Stephens
If an event has more than one flying knee finish then you know there’s going to be some tough competition for knockout of the night but it’s ‘Lil Heathen who most impressed us due to the circumstances of his victory.
The veteran was 20-18 down on the scorecards after a typically smothering display from Dennis Bermudez when Stephens came up with one of the finest stoppages you’re going to see after he threw caution to the wind.
Stephens took advantage of a lazy Bermudez entry and leapt into the air, connecting with a knee before completing the job with relentless ground-and-pound.
Submission of the night – Gunnar Nelson
Gunni didn’t exactly have much competition for this honour as Matt Brown was the only other fighter to get the tap at UFC 189 but we gave it to the SBG fighter just due to the fact that his submission was more technical.
After dropping Brandon Thatch with a right cross Nelson landed in mount before taking Thatch’s back and locking in a body triangle. Gunni then sunk his forearm under the chin of Rukus and patiently waited for the choke to appear, getting the tap in less than three minutes.
Performance of the night – Robbie Lawler
It was between the winners of the co-main and main events for this award but we opted to give Robbie Lawler the nod over Conor McGregor because Ruthless had to come through more trouble than the Irishman.
Lawler was dangerously close to losing his welterweight title when Rory MacDonald had him hurt late in the third but the champ rallied and continued to punish the Canadian challenger with straight punches to the already shattered nose.
In the end, it was the battle of wills that won out and Lawler admirably retained his belt with one final shot that forced MacDonald to the mat.
One to watch – Thomas Almeida
He’s hardly an unrecognised prospect as Thomas Almeida has amassed a record of 20-0, with three victories in the UFC.
But, at 23, it’s hard to deny that Thominhas’ best years are ahead of him.
The Brazilian continued his race to the top of the UFC’s bantamweight division by battling through a badly broken nose to give Brad Pickett just his second career knockout defeat.
Title shot before the end of 2016 we reckon.
