The easiest way to tell someone that the prelims were amazing tonight is by telling them that they had to slow down the production to a screeching halt to better pace the fights. There were so many great fights, so many finishes, and so many takeaways from the UFC 269 prelims.
Takeaways from the UFC 269 Prelims
So many storylines and impressive performances came out of the prelims from UFC 269. Several fighters made impressive comebacks, some made statements with their wins, and some left fans wanting more.
Dominick Cruz Turns in a Vintage Performance
The first round was a little shaky for the former WEC and UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, he was dropped by a stiff jab from Pedro Munhoz but was able to recover by the end of the round with some vintage footwork and boxing skills to stay on the outside. Rounds two and three saw him build off the end of round one, using his boxing skills to pick Munhoz apart and turn in arguably his most impressive performance since winning the title from T.J. Dillashaw in 2016.
Turning the tables and UNLOADING in the second! 💢
[ @DominickCruz | #UFC269 ] pic.twitter.com/jHiKvERgVs
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
Two Brazilian Middleweights Score Quick Finishes
The two middleweight bouts on the UFC 269 prelims gave us results that now have fans and pundits thinking we have two new contenders rising in the ranks. Andre Muniz earned his second consecutive armbar finish, this time against Eryk Anders, he did so in a super impressive fashion by almost hiding it as he kept Anders arm outside his shoulder rather than in his hands.
Andre Muniz with an absolute domination of Anders, beautiful transitions and then a clean armbar. Middleweight gets some new blood to list of rising contenders, Muniz appears to be every bit the contender now. #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/u1DWgRUivB
— Andrew Harbaugh (@MandrewH_) December 12, 2021
The other man who left a lasting impression on the middleweight division was Bruno Silva, Silva needed just 88 seconds to secure his seventh straight knockout victory and his third consecutive in the UFC. Both of these men are going to be problems now and for the foreseeable future in the middleweight division.
Bruno Silva goes from being rocked to rocking and finishing The Beverly Hills Ninja, fun fight for the 88 seconds it lasted. #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/zcrQ1RNE1f
— Andrew Harbaugh (@MandrewH_) December 12, 2021
Tai Tuivasa Continues to Rise
The surging Aussie continued his hot streak by winning his fourth straight by knockout as Tai Tuivasa finished Augusto Sakai. Sakai is by far the biggest name on his knockout streak he is on. The first round was very touch-and-go for both men, but Tuivasa showed his ability to make adjustments in round two. He commented after the fight that he saw the opening at the end of round one and in round two he wasted no time throwing the left hook when Sakai was up against the cage. Tuivasa should crack the top ten now at heavyweight and has so many fun and entertaining matchups ahead of him going forward, win or lose.
Tai Shoey-vasa makes adjustments from round one, the left hook finds its mark, another knockout for the Aussie and what other way would he celebrate? #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/T5v00QKTyu
— Andrew Harbaugh (@MandrewH_) December 12, 2021
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