Now that the dust has settled and UFC 276 has come and gone, let’s take a look at some of the top moments.
There were a couple of top dogs that kept their straps around their waists, and many fighters picked up notable victories. We take a look at three of the biggest winners at UFC 276 and the poll results have been conclusive as to who the top pick was.
Well the dust has settled. Who was the biggest winner at #UFC276
— MMASucka (@MMASucka) July 3, 2022
Who Was The Biggest Winner at UFC 276?
Israel Adesanya
The middleweight championship stayed around Israel Adesanya‘s waist. He was able to utilize his impressive striking and his Octagon prowess in order to control the entire five rounds against a very dangerous Jared Cannonier.
This was ‘Stylebender’s’ fifth 185-pound title defense and he has beaten every top contender put in front of him. Earlier in the evening, a man who has had his number, not once, but twice — Alex Pereira put on the definition of highlight-reel knockout and made Adesanya notice.
In his post-fight speech with Joe Rogan, the 32-year-old did not mince words and Pereira was there to witness it firsthand.
‘The first time I had you on skates, next time I’ll have you Frozen, like Elsa,’ Adesanya said.
We may have a trilogy fight on our hands.
Alexander Volkanovski
The man, the myth, the legend, Alexander Volkanovski is now riding a 22-fight win streak and put on arguably his best performance to date.
In the UFC 276 co-main event, the Australian defended his featherweight title for the fourth time, and beat Max Holloway for the third time. All three judges scored the bout 50-45 in favor of Volkanovski.
I told you guys Alexander Volkanovski will destroy Max Holloway!
Volkanovski was talking trash to Holloway while beating the living daylights out of him for five rounds.
3-0 for the goat Volk! #UFC276 pic.twitter.com/gjfvR6vLs0— MMA Tea Talk (@MMATeaTalk) July 3, 2022
The 33-year-old has proven he is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world and many are calling for him to move up to 155-pounds to fight for the lightweight championship. There were a few fighters waiting in the wings, calling out the champ. Two that stuck out were bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and former two-division champion Henry Cejudo.
What could be next for Volkanovski?
Alex Pereira
The former Glory multi-division champion Alex Pereira went from an unranked fighter to a potential title challenger.
The 34-year-old stunned the number four ranked Sean Strickland with a very well-placed left hook knockout just two-minutes and thirty-six seconds into the very first round. Pereira has had three fights inside the Octagon and two of those have earned him Performance of the Night honors.
Strickland would have likely earned a title shot with a victory against Pereira and this knockout win could have sealed the deal for the Brazilian to step back in there against the king of the middleweight division.
The storyline between Pereira and Israel Adesanya is one that will be fireworks and Adesanya all but called for it in his post-fight speech.
When was the last time a fighter went from unranked to an immediate title shot with a victory?
Here is a comment from @DannyM238 about the poll above.
Well Volk put on the best performance I’ve ever seen in MMA… but Pereira did knock out that guy walking towards him with his hands down https://t.co/hwdpW7jIGa
— Thanks Bill (@DannyM238) July 3, 2022
