The UFC returned to England as it made its debut in the city of Liverpool for UFC Fight Night 130. In the main event, hometown fighter, Darren Till, took on former title challenger, Stephen Thompson. It was a fight between two of the most talented strikers in the welterweight division with possible title implications. In the co-main event, longtime top ten welterweight, Neil Magny, took on UFC newcomer, Craig White.
Craig White stepped in on just a few weeks notice to replace the injured Gunnar Nelson. The card saw more than half of its fights end in a finish. But only five can make the list. These are the top five Standout Performances from UFC Fight Night 130.
UFC Fight Night 130 Standout Performances
#1: Arnold Allen def. Mads Burnell via Submission (Front Choke) at 2:41 of Round 3
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 27: Arnold Allen of England celebrates his submission victory over Mads Burnell in their featherweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at ECHO Arena on May 27, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Coming into the fight, Arnold Allen had won five straight. Most recently, he defeated Makwan Amirkhani at UFC Fight Night 107. Across the octagon from him was Denmark’s Mads Burnell, who was coming off a win against Mike Santiago at UFC Fight Night 124.
Round One
In round one, Burnell, who is known more as a ground fighter, was comfortable standing and boxing with Allen. When the round first began, Allen seemed to be the aggressor as he was throwing multiple combinations. Burnell was backing Allen up, but Allen was still throwing a majority of the strikes. About a minute and a half into the round, Burnell shot in for a takedown, but Allen defended it. The two spent a little while in the clinch before breaking up and standing in the center again.
With about a minute left in the round, Burnell landed a takedown and kept Allen down for a good thirty seconds before Allen scrambled out back to his feet. In the last twenty seconds, Burnell landed another takedown but didn’t hold him down for long. They were in the clinch again, and the round ended right as Allen tripped Burnell and took him down.
Round Two
The second round looked almost the same as the first. Burnell continued to walk down Allen and land shots. A little under thirty seconds into the round, Burnell rushed in for a takedown and got it easily. He held Allen on the mat for the next minute and a half while landing some good punches. Allen used the fence to get back up to his feet, but ten seconds later, Burnell took him down once again, where he’d only hold him for a couple seconds.
Allen once again used the fence to get back to his feet, but Burnell stayed on him, looking for another takedown. He couldn’t get it and the two separated once again and moved back to the center of the octagon. But, it didn’t take long for Burnell to shoot in for yet another takedown, which he landed. Burnell spent the rest of the round on top, as it seemed like he finished up 2-0.
Round Three
The round started and you could tell that Allen knew he was down and needed a finish. He came out head down and swinging, only to get taken down twenty seconds into the round. Allen scooted to the fence to allow himself to stand up once again, but as soon as he stood up, Burnell threw him to the ground again.
There was once again little time spent on the ground as Allen used a scramble to get back to his feet. But Burnell was still on him as the two were clinched on the fence again with Burnell controlling, looking for another takedown. He was able to take Allen down once again with about three minutes left in the round. Allen used the fence to get up again but Burnell just wouldn’t stop trying for the takedown.
About halfway through the round, Burnell looked for another takedown, but Allen locked up a front choke immediately. The choke was tight as the two fell to the mat, and Burnell was forced to tap, awarding Allen the comeback victory.
How about this comeback by Arnold Allen?! pic.twitter.com/djHUkLNWs1
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) May 27, 2018
#2: Gillian Robertson def. Molly McCann** via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:05 of Round 2
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 27: (L-R) Gillian Robertson of Canada attempts to submit Molly McCann of England in their womens flyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at ECHO Arena on May 27, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Coming into the fight, Gillian Robertson was coming fresh off a victory over Emily Whitmire after their season of The Ultimate Fighter. Across from her was Molly McCann, who was a winner of six straight, most recently against Byrony Tyrell at Cage Warriors 90. She was making her highly anticipated octagon debut in her hometown of Liverpool. McCann weighed in one pound over the flyweight limit. In 2018, fighters who have missed weight were an undefeated 6-0 in the octagon.
Round One
The round opened up and the first two minutes were all on the feet. It seemed as if McCann was winning the striking game as she was landing good shots on Robertson. About two minutes into the first round, Robertson attempted a single leg takedown. After circling a couple times, she was able to pull McCann down to the mat.
The remainder of the round took place on the mat as Robertson held the top position the whole time. Multiple times she was able to pass into full mount and take McCann’s back. She attacked submissions as well, looking for an armbar or a rear naked choke. McCann was able to defend them all and the round ended, with Robertson winning dominantly.
Round Two
The second round began and Robertson looked to begin right where she left off. She lunged in for a takedown, but McCann was able to defend this time. Robertson didn’t give up as she initiated the clinch with McCann to pursue another takedown. She was able to grab hold of one of McCann’s arm and yanked her down to the mat.
She got full mount once again and McCann eventually gave her back again as well. Robertson battled to try and get the submission and finally locked it up about two minutes into the round. The tap came moments later as Robertson spoiled the debut of the hometown fighter, McCann.
Spoil Homecoming ✅
Gillian Robertson def Molly McCann by submission, in McCann's home town. pic.twitter.com/dDkpbk5zFR
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) May 27, 2018
#3: Neil Magny def. Craig White via TKO (Knee and Punches) at 4:32 of Round 1
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 27: (R-L) Neil Magny punches Craig White of England in their welterweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at ECHO Arena on May 27, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Heading into the fight, Neil Magny was expecting to fight Gunnar Nelson, but Nelson was forced out of the fight with an injury. So, Neil Magny faced UFC newcomer, Craig White, instead. Magny was coming into the fight coming off the biggest win of his career against former interim welterweight champion, Carlos Condit at UFC 219. White came into the fight a winner of four straight. His most recent win came against Alex Montagnani in March at Cage Warriors 92.
Round One
The round began and twenty seconds in, the two were already locked up in the clinch on the fence. They spent nearly two minutes there as each man battled for control. They each attempted their own takedown attempts but were not successful. A little over two minutes into the round, Magny threw an intended body knee, but landed low, causing a pause in the action.
White took his time and the fight eventually resumed with the two meeting in the middle. It took only about five seconds before the two men were in the clinch once again. They were once again both battling for control in the clinch again before Magny was able to land a takedown and immediately end up in full mount. They weren’t on the mat for long as Magny stood up and forced White to get up as well.
As they met in the center again, White rushed in and landed a combination before they clinched once again with Magny’s back to the cage. Magny turned White around and as White had his head low, Magny landed a perfect knee that dropped him. He wasted no time in going for the finish as he landed ground and pound that eventually forced the ref to stop the fight.
Who needs a second round, when Neil Magny can just get a TKO in the first _(ツ)_/¯. pic.twitter.com/6BEViLyq6j
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) May 27, 2018
#4: Darren Stewart def. Eric Spicely via TKO (Punches) at 1:47 of Round 2
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 27: Darren Stewart of England celebrates his victory over Eric Spicely in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at ECHO Arena on May 27, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Going into the fight, Eric Spicely has lost two straight to Antonio Carlos Junior and, most recently, against Gerald Meerschaert at the TUF 26 Finale. His opponent, Darren Stewart, was coming off a loss in a fight of the night against Julian Marquez at UFC on Fox 26 in December after losing two straight beforehand. Each fighter needed a victory in this matchup if they wanted to stay in the UFC.
Round One
The round began and both fighters began to feel each other out. Not many strikes were thrown in the first minute. About a minute and a half into the round, Spicely landed a good combination and then rushed in for a takedown. Stewart was able to defend the takedown and the two were in the clinch on the fence. As Spicely continued to battle for a takedown, Stewart was able to easily defend them all.
The two finally broke apart, with Stewart landing a good right hook. As they stood in the center, both fighters were throwing, but neither were landing all that much. Each guy landed a few leg kicks here and there and some punches, but nothing very significant. As the round came to a close, Spicely began to close the distance to land more shots. Stewart noticed this and jumped into the air, trying to land a jumping kick, then a few seconds later, the round ended.
Round Three
The second round began with a touch of gloves and then both guys landing a couple hooks. Soon after, Stewart landed a good left hook, right hook combination that seemed to back Spicely up.
About a minute into the round, Spicely landed a good right hook followed by a crisp jab. After this happened, Stewart landed a good right hand that sent Spicely stumbling back. He rushed him back to the fence where he began to start swinging, looking to finish the fight. He was unable to land the fight ending punch and they found themselves in the clinch.
It didn’t take long though before the two broke apart and met in the middle of the octagon. It didn’t take long after for Stewart to get the finish. He landed a jab on Spicely that caused him to fall onto the canvas. Stewart jumped on top, looking for the finish as Spicely then covered up, forcing the ref to stop the fight.
Statement. Made.
Darren Stewart gets the TKO win against Eric Spicely. pic.twitter.com/NTnD9f75D4
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) May 27, 2018
#5: Claudio Silva def. Nordine Taleb via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:31 of Round 1
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 27: Claudio Silva of Brazil celebrates his submission victory over Nordine Taleb of France in their welterweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at ECHO Arena on May 27, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Coming into the fight, Claudio Silva hadn’t fought since November of 2014 when he defeated Leon Edwards for his 11th straight victory. Across the octagon from him was MMASucka’s Fighter of Interest, Nordine Taleb. Taleb was coming off an impressive first-round knockout win over Danny Roberts at UFC on Fox 26. Taleb became the third MMASucka Fighter of Interest to make the Standout Performance list, but unfortunately was on the wrong side of the performance.
Round One
The fight began and Claudio Silva came out quick. He threw a couple body kicks and landed a good straight left before lunging in for a takedown. The takedown was defended and both fighters ended up in the clinch with Silva continuing to pursue a takedown. A little under a minute and a half into the round, Taleb began to motion for Silva to come forward.
Silva threw a body kick, but Taleb caught the kick and slammed Silva to the ground. Silva got back to his feet quickly but ate a right hand from Taleb on the way up. Taleb then threw a hard body kick and then backed it up with a straight right hand. Silva tried to throw another body kick, but Taleb caught it again and attempted to use it for a takedown, but wasn’t successful.
He pushed Silva towards the cage and threw a right hand that barely missed as Silva circled away. In the center once again, Silva lunged in to try and take down Taleb, but was unsuccessful. Taleb brought Silva toward the cage and landed a powerful knee, but Silva took it and they broke out of the clinch soon after.
After they broke free, Taleb threw a leg kick that Silva caught and used to take Taleb down. Taleb immediately got back up, but Silva stayed on him and eventually got him all the way down to the mat. It didn’t take long for Taleb to begin to scramble out of it. He looked as if he were about to get up again, but instead grabbed a leg and began to attack a leg lock. This allowed Silva to get to full mount before taking Taleb’s back and locking up a rear naked choke that forced Taleb to tap.
Quick work for Silva.
Claudio Silva def. Nordine Taleb by submission. pic.twitter.com/K7DhMBvCMa
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) May 27, 2018
Next Week
The UFC made yet another successful debut, this time in Liverpool for UFC Fight Night 130. The main event saw a fun, tactical fight between hometown fighter, Darren Till, and former title challenger, Stephen Thompson. The decision was ultimately given to the hometown hero as he upset Thompson by unanimous decision. Unfortunately, the performance wasn’t enough to make the Standout Performance list.
Instead, these were the top five Standout Performances from UFC Fight Night 130. We don’t have to wait long for the next card as it takes place in just five days as UFC Fight Night 131 goes down on Friday.
The UFC will be making yet another debut, this time in Utica, New York. The main event will see bantamweight contenders, Jimmie Rivera and Marlon Moraes finally face off after their banter back in December. The two were rumored to meet at UFC 219, but due to the fight being on one week’s notice, they couldn’t agree to a weight, causing the two to go back and forth on social media. But now, they will finally meet in the octagon. So join me next week as we look back on UFC Fight Night 131 and determine its five Standout Performances.
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