The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) got the year 2024 off to a cracking start on Saturday. The No. 3 Light Heavyweight contender, Magomed Ankalaev, put a decisive end to his rivalry with Johnny Walker in their rematch at the UFC Apex. Ankalev’s victory solidified his position as a bona fide contender. He might even be in line for a title shot later in the year.
The UFC’s first card of the year was a mixed bag. It had its highs, lows, and downright ugly moments. Here’s a rundown of what happened at UFC Fight Night 234.
Now, let’s talk about the good stuff. Fans were itching for some action after a month-long hiatus from the brand. The first three fights of the prelims didn’t disappoint. Joshua Van, Nikolas Motta, and Jean Silva started the year with a bang, each scoring devastating knockouts. Marcus McGhee and Brunno Ferreira also demonstrated their fight-ending prowess.
The fights that went the distance were equally thrilling. Mario Bautista managed to outmaneuver the No. 13 ranked bantamweight, Ricky Simon. Jim Miller likely secured his spot in April’s UFC 300 with a third-round neck crank on Gabriel Benitez.
But the star of the show was Ankalaev’s knockout. After two consecutive losses in 2023, Ankalaev (18-1-1) needed a win to rally the fans behind him again. Walker, a skilled and wiry striker, was a formidable opponent. Most coaches would have advised their fighters to take him down. But Ankalaev stood his ground and came out unscathed. His overhand right and a finishing uppercut broke Walker’s nose, ended his three-fight winning streak, and put Ankalaev back in the light heavyweight title picture.
Overall, the UFC’s first card of the year had plenty of highlight-worthy moments. Many fighters left with their stocks on the rise. If the action gets even better from here, then we’re in for an exciting 2024 from the UFC.
Now, let’s move on to the awkward stuff. The most uncomfortable moment of UFC Vegas 84 happened just before and after Jean Silva’s first-round demolition of the overmatched Weston Wilson. Silva’s pre and post-fight antics left fans scratching their heads.
Firstly, Silva’s walk to the ring took longer than the fight itself. Clocking in at a whopping 4:30, Silva moved towards the cage at a snail’s pace. After the fight, he blamed his slow and stoic ring walk on his alter ego. But who knew his doppelganger was part pitbull?
Before his post-fight interview, “Lord” barked at the camera, attempting to intimidate any other featherweights who dared to challenge him. The UFC debutant was on top of the world, declaring that no one would ever be able to stand up to him. Despite his impressive performance, Silva might want to tone it down a bit. Wilson was an easy target and looked like a scarecrow caught in a tornado. Silva’s dominant performance was expected, and he could quickly become a heel if he continues in the same vein.
Now let’s talk about the ugly. After a month-long drought, fans were desperate for any UFC action. But how did the UFC reward their patience and loyalty? By returning to the ever-so-lively UFC Apex Center.
You can’t see my eyes as I type this, but they’re rolling from the sarcasm. Don’t get me wrong; I appreciated the Apex when it hosted its first event in May 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. But four years later, I feel like a woman who’s been taken to the Cheesecake Factory one too many times; I’m sick of the place.
Despite having a capacity of 1,500, the Apex doesn’t even seat half of that. Tickets start at $1,750, and the atmosphere doesn’t match the price. Too often, we’ve seen rising prospects and debutants pull off the most exciting wins of their career in this $40 million snoozebox. The sounds of shins crashing and punches landing were exciting when travel was too dangerous, but they can’t compare to the energy of a sold-out local crowd.
Imagine what fighters like McGhee and Silva could have done in front of a real crowd. Instead, their knockouts were met with the same level of enthusiasm you’d see from a PGA Tour audience. Post-fight interviews couldn’t be more awkward, and watching legends like Andrei Arlovski and Miller walk out to polite applause is a heartbreaking glimpse of where the sport is heading.
Boxing has already suffered enough with its centralization in Las Vegas. What made the UFC special was its willingness to go wherever possible. Cards in Las Vegas, New York, and Abu Dhabi are just as important as those in cities like Columbus, Jacksonville, and Austin. When will the UFC rediscover its passion for exploration?
Dana White has said in the past that he plans to travel more consistently. Few can blame him for using the Apex’s efficiency — why travel when you can save millions by putting on fights at home? But how are fans supposed to feel when you start the new year in the same spot? So much for that New Year’s resolution.