Oh, the drama at UFC Fight Night 235 was real. You could almost feel the tension in the air. Fighters on the edge of their seats, knowing their careers might just be hanging by a thread.
Nassourdine Imavov? Guy was on fire. Dominated like it was nobody’s business. And Renato Carneiro? His victory speech was all heart. Pure passion. Randy Brown? Knocked it out of the park with a TKO that had fans on their feet. And let’s not forget Natalia Silva, celebrating her birthday by owning the Octagon. She might just sneak into those flyweight rankings.
But then, the mood shifts. We’re looking at those who didn’t have their hands raised. The ones facing a foggy future.
Take Landon Quinones. Sitting at 7-3, but those back-to-back losses? They sting. Especially that recent takedown by Marquel Mederos. The UFC’s always watching, weighing. And in the lightweight division? You gotta be on your A-game, constantly evolving. Quinones is in a tough spot, no doubt. Will he stay, or will he go? It’s all up in the air till the UFC makes the call.
And what about Blake Bilder? An 8-2 record sounds solid, but those consecutive losses are a thorn in his side. His fight against Jeong Yeong Lee didn’t go as planned. Still, his track record’s not all doom and gloom. Four wins by submission and a unanimous decision over Shane Young? That’s something. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll be enough for the UFC to keep him around.
Now, onto Diana Belbita, “The Warrior Princess.” Those two losses in a row are a tough pill to swallow, especially that armbar from Molly McCann. But Belbita? She’s got a following. Over 430,000 Instagram fans can’t be wrong. She’s got that star quality, and the UFC knows it. Popularity like hers can sometimes tip the scales. So, she might just dodge that pink slip.
Pete Rodriguez’s story? It’s a rollercoaster. A 5-2 record, but that loss to Themba Gorimbo was a setback. Sure, he’s got a 100% knockout rate in his wins, but being 1-2 in the UFC is a precarious position. Yet, there’s hope. His knack for thrilling fights and a potential move to the lightweight division could save him. If he avoids the cut, expect to see “Dead Game” trying his luck at 155 pounds next time.
What a night, huh? Ups, downs, and everything in between. UFC Fight Night 235 was a reminder of the highs and lows in the world of MMA.