Joanderson Brito really took us by surprise. I mean, who saw that coming? The Chute Boxe featherweight edged closer to the big leagues with a win that had everyone talking. He scored a second-round TKO over Jack Shore at UFC 301. And boy, was it a spectacle in Rio de Janeiro.
Shore’s leg? A horror show. A leg kick from Brito left him with a shin gash so bad, the doc had to call it quits at 3:35 into the second round. Ouch.
Brito was all over Shore from the get-go. Clinches, low kicks—you name it. By the time Shore’s leg was streaming blood, it felt like an ending ripped right out of a movie. The ref had no choice but to pause the fight, leading to that anticlimactic yet dramatic finish.
Switching gears, Iasmin Lucindo is making waves in the strawweight division. She outclassed Karolina Kowalkiewicz with a unanimous decision win. All judges were in agreement, scoring it 30-27. Lucindo’s speed and agility were just too much for Kowalkiewicz.
Speaking of Kowalkiewicz, this loss was her first setback since August 2021. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but that’s the fight game for you.
Down the card, Myktybek Orolbai showed his dominance against Elves Brener, even with a point deduction for grabbing the fence. The judges saw it 29-27 in Orolbai’s favor. Orolbai’s power and control were on full display, marking his seventh consecutive victory.
Drakkar Klose? He’s on a roll too. He outmaneuvered Joaquim Silva with relentless pressure and clinch work, snagging a unanimous decision win. Klose’s strategy paid off, earning him his fourth straight victory.
Now, let’s talk about Mauricio Ruffy. The guy was electric in his UFC debut, stopping Jamie Mullarkey with punches in the first round. Ruffy’s performance was a statement, marking him as one to watch.
Alessandro Costa wasn’t about to be left out of the highlight reel. He dismantled Kevin Borjas with a barrage of leg kicks and punches, sealing the deal in the second round. Costa’s aggression and technique were simply too much for Borjas.
In other action, Dione Barbosa made a successful UFC debut against Ernesta Kareckaite. It was a close one, but Barbosa edged it out with unanimous 29-28 scores. And Ismael Bonfim outstruck Vinc Pichel in a lightweight bout, with all judges seeing it 30-27 in his favor.
So, there you have it. A night of unexpected twists, jaw-dropping action, and fighters making statements. UFC 301 delivered, and then some.