The fight card for UFC 276 is one of the biggest we’ll see this year. The main card is headlined by two title clashes, long-standing rivalries, and the return of an old foe to haunt one of the UFC’s most dominant champions of the modern era. Rising stars, seasoned veterans, and champions in the prime of their careers will grace the Octagon in an evening of end-to-end fireworks.
Top billing goes to the middleweight championship fight between reigning champ Israel Adesanya and challenger Jared Cannonier. Adesanya’s teammate, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski takes on Max Holloway for the third time in a legacy-defining fight for two of the 145-pound division’s finest fighters. Also at middleweight is a clash between self-proclaimed “psycho” Sean Strickland and Alex Pereira, the knockout enthusiast who defeated Israel Adesanya twice back in their GLORY kickboxing days. Rounding out the main card is UFC fan favorite Robbie Lawler vs Bryan Barbarena, with rising bantamweight star Sean O’Malley taking on his toughest opponent yet in Pedro Munhoz.
Don’t wait until showtime to start watching, however! The prelims feature some thrilling prospects, including Cowboy Cerrone vs Jim Miller, Irish upstart Ian Garry taking on Gabriel Green, and Brad Riddell versus Jalin Turner.
The early prelims feature middleweight contender Uriah Hall vs Andre Muniz, with the women’s division rouding out the card in the form of Jessica Eye vs Maycee Barber, with Jessica-Rose Clark vs. Julija Stoliarenko opening tonight’s fights.
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Jessica Eye announced her retirement after losing to Maycee Barber via unanimous decision.
Jim Miller earned himself the record of the most wins in UFC history with a devastating second-round guillotine choke victory over Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone! Cerrone retired in the Octagon following the loss, remarking “I just don’t love it any more… I’m going to be a movie star, baby!”
The main card began with disappointment for both fighters and the assembled crowd. Referee Jason Herzog paused the fight due to an accidental eye poke Munhoz sustained in the midst of an exchange. When the doctor was called in, and Munhoz declared that he couldn’t see, the fight was waved off, declared no contest due to accidental foul.
Barbarena vs Lawler was every bit the slugfest fight fans expected. Barbarena and Lawler noticeably rocked one another with hefty shots throughout the first two rounds. Notably, Lawler’s stiff jab wobbled Barbarena a few times, but when Barbarena turned up the pressure, delivering consecutive elbows to Lawler’s head and chasing down his opponent to earn the finish before the second buzzer.
Alex Pereira didn’t even need all of the first round to starch no. 4 ranked middleweight Sean Strickland. Pereira, after exchanging jabs and leg kicks with Sean Strickland for much of the first round, delivered a stunning hook to drop Strickland, following up before the referee intervened. Post-fight, Pereira reminded Israel Adesanya that he is coming for the middleweight crown.
Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski earned his nickname in a five-round shutout victory over Max Holloway. Volkanovski comprehensively outstruck Holloway, opening deep lacerations on Holloway’s forehead throughout the fight, retaining the featherweight title with a unanimous 50-45 victory. Volkanovski credited Holloway as “an absolute beast”, praising his opponent post-fight. He promised a move up to 155 pounds, to become double champ and “keep two divisions busy”.
The main event of the evening saw UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya once more defended his belt. Although the fight was slower in pace than some either fighter’s recent appearances, Adesanya effectively neutralized his opponent using superior movement and defensive boxing. Adesanya and Cannonier engaged in a high-level striking battle, heavy with feints and footwork rather than swinging knockout blows. Ultimately, Adesanya remained middleweight champ, and called out his old rival Alex Pereira for his next fight.
UFC 276 Fight Card:
Middleweight Israel Adesanya (c) vs. Jared Cannonier (Winner: Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision)
Featherweight Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Max Holloway (Winner: Alexander Volkanovski via unanimous decision)
Middleweight Sean Strickland vs. Alex Pereira (Winner: Alex Pereira via R1 knockout)
Welterweight Robbie Lawler vs. Bryan Barberena (Winner: Bryan Barbarena via R2 TKO)
Bantamweight Pedro Munhoz vs. Sean O’Malley (Fight Declared No Contest Following R2 Eye Poke)
Lightweight Brad Riddell vs. Jalin Turner (Winner: Jalin Turner via guillotine choke)
Welterweight Jim Miller vs. Donald Cerrone (Winner: Jim Miller via guillotine choke)
Welterweight Ian Garry vs. Gabriel Green (Winner: Ian Garry via unanimous decision)
Middleweight Brad Tavares vs. Dricus du Plessis (Winner: Dricus du Plessis via unanimous decision)
Middleweight Uriah Hall vs. André Muniz (Winner: Andre Muniz via unanimous decision)
Women’s Flyweight Jessica Eye vs. Maycee Barber (Winner: Maycee Barber via unanimous decision)
Women’s Bantamweight Jessica-Rose Clark vs. Julija Stoliarenko (Winner: Julia Storialenko via submission)
