Amanda Nunes retires after putting on a clinic in her final fight
UFC 289 ended the same way it began, and that is with Amanda Nunes as the greatest female fighter in the world.
Nunes (23–5) defeated Irene Aldana by unanimous decision in the 289 main event, an overpowering performance from an all-time great.
There are levels in MMA, and Aldana (14–7) was clearly not on Nunes’s plane. Somehow, a unanimous decision is an understatement.
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With the exception of one solid shot on Nunes’s jaw in the first round, Aldana had absolutely no offense. Nunes dictated the pace in every round. It was a peculiar approach from Aldana; she was content to play defense, absorbing damage yet never countering or forcing the action. Attempting to merely survive is a recipe for death against Nunes in the cage, and that is exactly what unfolded.
Ultimately, this was nothing more than a sparring match for Nunes. She landed exponentially more significant strikes, as well as six takedowns. Aldana was completely outmatched, and never gave herself a chance with this dismally executed game plan.
Following the fight, Nunes announced her retirement. She is the single greatest female fighter of all time, and one of the best to ever grace the cage. Her departure leaves a massive void in the sport, especially the UFC, where she is the bantamweight and featherweight champion. There will never be another Amanda Nunes, and she leaves an enduring imprint on the sport.
Charles Oliveira dominates Beneil Dariush
Charles Oliveira hardly broke a sweat.
In less than a round, Oliveira reminded the fight world why he is so incredibly talented. The former lightweight champion knocked out Beneil Dariush in the opening round of their fight, snapping Dariush’s eight-fight win streak and making an emphatic statement about who is the top contender in the division.
The TKO win for Oliveira (34–9, 1 NC) should secure him a title shot against Islam Makhachev, the man who defeated him for the title last October. Dariush (22-5-1) had worked hard to put himself in position for a title shot, but he was outclassed in the latter moments of the first round. Oliveira connected with a head kick, wobbling Dariush, then pieced him apart with precise striking.
This win should put Oliveira back in position to fight for the belt. He will be a significant underdog in the rematch against Makhachev, but he has earned his chance at redemption.
Mike Malott finishes Adam Fugitt
Mike Malott delivered the first finish of the night on the main card, forcing Adam Fugitt to submit to a guillotine.
The win for Malott (10-1-1) extends his perfect finishing rate. He was another crowd favorite, as every fighter from Canada won Saturday. Fugitt (9–4) was done as soon as Malott hit him with a nasty left hook before ending the bout with the guillotine.
Malott did what he was expected to do here, but the challenges will only be tougher for him moving forward.
Dan Ige picks up second straight victory
Dan Ige is proving to be a real threat in the featherweight division.
After losing three fights in a row, Ige (17–6) has now won his second straight. His latest victim is Nate Landwehr (17–5), who he defeated by unanimous decision at UFC 289.
The first round was close until the waning moments when Ige landed a brutal left hook to Landwehr’s skull. It was the same story in the second round, with Ige drilling Landwehr with another left hand. Landwehr held on, barely, to extend the fight into the third round. Another left hand in the opening minute wobbled Landwehr, who was never able to produce any consistent damage or offense.
Ige changing stances caused constant problems for Landwehr. With the victory, he ends Landwehr’s four-fight win streak. His next bout, likely to take place this fall, will give him the chance to move a step closer to the division’s top 10.
Marc-André Barriault wins in front of home crowd in Canada
Marc-André Barriault defeated Eryk Anders by unanimous decision.
Representing Canada, Barriault (16–6, 1 NC) fought a complete fight over three rounds. He overcame a tough challenge in Anders (15–8, 1 NC), winning for a third time in his last four fights.
This began with a phenomenal opening round, which started with Barriault nearly knocking out Anders with a body kick and then a right hand. Anders escaped a difficult position, stayed tough and responded by pressuring Barriault throughout the round. His nose looked busted midway through the second round, yet he continued pushing the pace.
Barriault controlled the third round, erasing any doubt that Anders had an edge in the bout. The victory is a momentum boost for him as he seeks to break into the top-15 of the middleweight division.
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UFC 289 could be a fairy-tale farewell fight for Amanda Nunes. But not if Julianna Peña has her way.
Peña continues to poke and prod Nunes ahead of her bantamweight title bout against Irene Aldana at UFC 289, hoping that Nunes will return for at least one more fight. Peña was initially slated to be in this main event, but a rib injury suffered during training camp prevented her from fighting and allowed Aldana to step into the title bout.
Nunes should solve the puzzle that Aldana presents, though her boxing makes her a legitimate threat. Seeing how the fight unfolds and what happens in its aftermath will be fascinating, especially if Peña enters the Octagon after the fight and challenges Nunes.
UFC 289 also includes a must-see lightweight bout pitting Charles Oliveira against Beneil Dariush. This is Oliveira’s first fight since dropping the belt to Islam Makhachev, and it’s the last bout Dariush needs to earn a title shot. But Oliveira is also likely only one win away from securing a rematch for the belt, and his striking and jiu-jitsu will test Dariush in an altogether new manner.
The undercard also includes Dan Ige against Nate Landwehr in a featherweight bout, as well as Mike Malott against Adam Fugitt in a welterweight fight and a battle of middleweights pitting Marc-André Barriault against Eryk Anders. But the focus here is on the co-main and main event, which will determine the success of the card.
