The Accor Arena was buzzing with excitement during the recent UFC event in Paris, a spectacle that greatly exceeded Dana White’s expectations. While the main event was clearly a highlight, the event was not short on eye-catching, thrilling matches which easily ranked it amongst the finest set of bouts for this year. The debate may still be ongoing, but nonetheless, it is worth taking a roundup of significant finishes of the main card.
In the realm of unforgettable knockouts, Fares Ziam, better known as the ‘Smile Killer’, claims the limelight. He flamboyantly ended his contest with Matt Frevola during the third round by landing a crushing knee strike, right at 2:59. The knee strike, launched from a rear waist-lock, struck Frevola’s jaw, leading to an immediate lights-out. This forceful ending could quite possibly bag Fares Ziam the title of ‘Knockout of the Year’.
The event saw Morgan Charriere as another highlight on the card, with his explosive fight conclusion, eliminating Gabriel Miranda barely 27 seconds into the second round. The spectacle of his perfectly-timed left hook highlighted not just his impressive power but also his exceptional ability to strike with precision.
Bryan Battle, another accomplished fighter, did not fall short in delivering action in this foreign landscape. With an escalation in pressure, he overcame Kevin Jousset through a technical knockout at 3:47 of their bout’s second round.
At the main event, Moicano emerged victorious against Benoît Saint-Denis. The victory, secured via TKO following a doctor’s stoppage at the close of Round 2, marked his fourth straight win, solidifying his ascension and posing a considerable threat in the bustling lightweight division.
This winning streak has undoubtedly served as a resurrection of sorts for Moicano, following a disappointing loss to the Korean Zombie. Yet in spite of an admirable performance, he was unfortunately overlooked for a performance bonus.
Many fighters were let down upon finding out that there was a discontinuity in awarding the much-coveted ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus. On a brighter note, fighters Chris Duncan, Fares Ziam, Morgan Charrière, and Bryan Battle were awarded a bonus of an additional $50,000 each.
These fighters saw their breathtaking, dynamic finishes rewarded. However, Renato Moicano, despite pulling off an impressive, commanding bout against BSD in the primary event, was omitted from the roster of bonus recipients, a fact that was certainly not lost on him.
In response to the omission, Moicano expressed his dissatisfaction across his social media platforms, making his feelings visible to his opponent and the entire UFC world. Adding to the surprise was the fact that Moicano, despite his impressive track record, hasn’t been awarded a bonus in more than half a decade.
Even though he’s had six remarkable finishes during this period, he’s been consistently overlooked. The UFC has not yet disclosed the reason for the absence of the ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus from this particular event.
Following the event, Moicano, often referred to as ‘Money’, was seemingly upset, hinting yet again at the disappointment from missing out on the bonus. Regardless of the temporary setback, his win promises a notable upward-shift within the lightweight division rankings.
Eager anticipation continues to build among fans to witness what lies ahead in Moicano’s journey. As always, the world of UFC remains unpredictable, making any upcoming matches involving these fighters a must-watch spectacle.
To Dana White, the UFC Paris event at the Accor Arena signifies more than just a string of matches. It represents the unrelenting spirit of these fighters, their ability to capture the audience’s attention with every punch, knee, and hook that landed.
Each fighter stepped into the ring driven by more than just the desire to win. They carried the weight of expectations, the thirst for recognition, and the hope of taking significant strides in their respective divisions.
While the debates around the winners of the fights and the deserving fighters who missed out on their bonuses may continue, the UFC Paris event has undoubtedly given Dana White plenty to proud of and the fans plenty to discuss.
In sum, the UFC Paris event was a thrilling display of the fighters’ skill and dedication, and has left fans eagerly waiting for what is to come. The world now falls into anticipation for the next UFC occasion and tracks the paths for all these fighters going forward.