The UFC Vegas 85 fight card took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, featuring some exciting matchups and notable winners and losers. Here's a recap of the event:
In the main event, Nassourdine Imavov faced off against Roman Dolidze in a middleweight bout. Imavov started strong in the first round but struggled to maintain the same level of output in the following rounds. Nevertheless, he did enough to secure a majority decision win, which will likely boost his standing in the UFC middleweight rankings.
Renato Moicano returned to action after a hiatus since November 2022 to face Drew Dober in the co-headliner. Moicano dominated the early rounds with takedowns and a strong top game. Although Dober made a comeback in the second round, a failed takedown attempt in the third gave Moicano the opening to secure a decision victory. With this win, Moicano is likely to face a top-10 opponent in his next fight.
Randy Brown delivered an impressive knockout victory over Muslim Salikhov, demonstrating his striking prowess with a well-timed right hand. This victory marks Brown's sixth win in his last seven fights.
Natalia Silva continued her rise in the UFC women's flyweight division by defeating Viviane Araujo. Silva showcased her speed and versatile striking techniques, securing the win and further solidifying her place in the rankings. While questions remain about her performance against well-rounded opponents, Silva now holds a 5-0 record in the UFC and is likely to face a top-five fighter in her next outing.
Charles Radtke secured a knockout win over Gilbert Urbina with a perfectly timed left hook. This victory extends Radtke's winning streak to six fights.
Molly McCann delivered an impressive performance in her first fight at strawweight, defeating Diana Belbita. McCann displayed aggressive striking and secured a first-round armbar submission, putting an end to her two-fight losing streak.
Charles Johnson overcame an early onslaught from Azat Maksum to adjust his style and secure a decision win. This victory ended Johnson's three-fight losing streak and showcased his resilience.
Themba Gorimbo displayed his aggression and knockout power, finishing Pete Rodriguez in just 32 seconds of the first round. With this victory, Gorimbo aims to become the UFC welterweight champion in 2024.
Jung Gyeong Lee showcased his striking skills in a dominant performance against Blake Bilder. Lee's well-rounded game and composed demeanor mark him as a fighter to watch in the featherweight division.
Luana Carolina fought off multiple submission attempts from Julija Stoliarenko and secured a late finish via ground strikes, extending her winning streak to two in the flyweight division.
While there were winners, there were also some notable losers from the event. Roman Dolidze struggled to generate offense against Nassourdine Imavov, resulting in a lackluster performance. Drew Dober seemed to be making a comeback, but an ill-advised takedown attempt cost him the win.
Muslim Salikhov suffered his third defeat in his last four fights, putting his future in question as he approaches 40 years old. Viviane Araujo failed to capitalize on opportunities in her fight against Natalia Silva, falling to a 1-3 record in her past four outings.
Despite Julija Stoliarenko's submission expertise, her lack of versatility outside of her specialty proves challenging at the UFC level. Landon Quinones also faced difficulties in his second UFC appearance, falling to a decision loss.
Thomas Petersen made his UFC debut but struggled to offer much offense against Jamal Pogues. Petersen's lack of striking and a backup plan proved detrimental, emphasizing the need for further improvement.
The UFC Vegas 85 event was filled with thrilling performances and showcased both rising talents and experienced fighters. As the winners celebrate their victories, the losers will need to regroup and reassess their game plans as they move forward in their UFC careers.
