UFC 259 - Adesanya vs Blachowicz, Nunes vs Anderson, Yan vs Sterling: Recap and more

By Lourence Alturino

Image from UFC

What a night. A night full of disqualifications, dominant performances, and upsets. The card was headlined with 3 big title fights. Petr Yan vs Aljamain Sterling. Amanda Nunes vs Megan Anderson. Jan Blachowicz vs Israel Adesanya.

Petr Yan vs Aljamain Sterling - UFC Bantamweight Championship

This fight was a fight that many people were pumped about. It was a good fight when it lasted. Personally, before the 4th round, I had it 2-1 for Yan. Petr was starting to dominate, as Aljamain was keeping it as close as he can with his great pace and ability to keep Yan's back on the cage. Yan was clearly winning because of more significant strikes, takedowns, and his great takedown defense. We were looking at a successful title defense for Petr Yan, but then came the 4th round. Aljamian Sterling was on one knee and then Yan made the stupid decision of hitting Sterling with a knee on the head. This is obviously illegal because Sterling is considered down with the knee on the ground. This illegal knee costs Yan the title as Sterling is our new Bantamweight Champion via disqualification.

Amanda Nunes vs Megan Anderson - UFC Women's Featherweight Championship

Amanda Nunes is the greatest women's fighter of all time. Everyone knows this. This was another legendary and dominant performance by the double champion. The fight lasted for 2 minutes. Nunes landed multiple big shots and then made Megan tap out with an armbar in 2 minutes to retain her Featherweight title.

Jan Blachowicz vs Israel Adesanya - UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

Israel Adesanya's debut in the UFC Light Heavyweight division did not go as well as he would've liked. Jan Blachowicz crashed Adesanya's crowning as a double champion. This wasn't the war we expected, but it was a technical showdown. The first 3 rounds were very close as it could've been 2-1 for either Jan or Israel. Whoever you had winning those rounds, you cannot deny that Jan won the final 2. Blachowicz finally took Israel to the ground and this ultimately won him the fight. Adesanya did what I said he should do. He kept the fight at distance and attacked Jan's legs. Jan also did what I said he should do. Jan attacked the body a lot and he was patient, but I didn't expect him to take Israel down and use his weight to wear out Izzy. Nonetheless, both men are still champs and still some of the best fighters in the world.