Mike Jackson handed over CM Punk his second consecutive loss with a dominant performance through the entire three rounds. Mike Jackson was more composed and relaxed than Punk who seemed to have bitten more than he could chew. Punk started off with kicks and looked for early take downs. Jackson let his boxing did most of the work as he landed jabs and right cross every time Punk pushed forward. CM Punk showed some improvement in his game but it was not enough as he struggled with cardio issues the moment the fight hit the second round. His game plan to take Jackson to the ground was also thwarted as Jackson kept on defending them. By the third round, it was clearly visible Punk had nothing left in him but gave a last try to take Jackson to the ground but was left on his back eating a lot of strikes. A valiant effort by the Chicago native who put everything inside the octagon.
ON THE ATTACK!@CMPunk shows the aggression early on PPV. #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/uV75aycNkd
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
Unleashing the boxing. @TheTruthJackson #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/GuVbGy7tRb
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
The Truth prevails! @TheTruthJackson #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/we1xlhtaeK
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
Tai Tuivasa defeated Andrei Arlovski via Unanimous Decision
For the first time, Tai Tuivasa experienced a full three round war in his entire career. The fight began with the usual Tuivasa pressure, as he dropped Arlovksi with a crisp left hook. Tuivasa got cut on his nose and started bleeding profusely that slowed his momentum in the second round. But as the rounds progressed, Tuivasa displayed signs of frustration as he was unable to put away Arlovski. The fight turned into a kickboxing match as both the heavyweights landed some leg kicks and body kicks. Tuivasa got the better in the boxing department as he landed combinations that for a second stunned Arlovski. The biggest win for Tuivasa and a big learning curve fighting a veteran and legend of the sport.
The power from Down Under. @BamBamTuivasa #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/CyY4Kxi8TB
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
BAM! 💥 BAM! 💥@BamBamTuivasa goes the distance in Chicago. #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/XSoaKVSuKp
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
Holly Holm defeated Megan Anderson via Unanimous Decision
When you see both these featherweights together inside the octagon, there’s a huge size difference. Megan was bigger fighter and looked dangerous with her long legs that could cause some serious damage to Holly. After eating a big knee to her face in the opening seconds of the fight, Holly managed to keep herself together and move away to avoid any damage. Holly was in her usual elusive footwork as she began landing strikes. Her game game turned to take downs when she saw Megan was not confident enough in her own attempts. Holly secured four take downs, had a full ten minute control and landed 65 strikes secure a clean victory.
One round in.@MeganA_MMA has showed NO NERVES. #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/g5Wk0hHJzp
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
What a showing for @HollyHolm! #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/u6kBERWGUG
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
The backflip is back! @HollyHolm #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/ZJzcbceT0R
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
Colby Covington defeated Rafael dos Anjos via Unanimous Decision
The trash talk was backed up with the constant pressure, forward movement, excellent striking and take downs from Colby Covington. Dos Anjos flourished only in the first round where we witnessed some of this brilliant striking. The pressure was too much for the Brazilian who could not maintain it for the remaining rounds. Colby maintained 46% forward momentum which resulted in him securing 7 take downs from the 21 attempts. At one point Dos Anjos seemed like a broken fighter but came back strong in the fourth round with a take down and in final round with few significant strikes. But Colby turned the tables and put Dos Anjos right on his back to win the interim title belt.
THIS PACE! #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/2DtJqyHYV5
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
WHAT A START!@RdosAnjosMMA flies into the fourth round. #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/JIFMJJwX3j
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
Chaos has taken over. @ColbyCovMMA #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/NkfgoMXGV3
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
Robert Whittaker defeated Yoel Romero via Split Decision
Whittaker proved once again why he is the undisputed middle weight champion as he withstood the explosive striking of Romero and despite being knocked down twice in the final rounds survived and came back to win a very close fight. Whittaker started the fight with the same intention Yoel did in their previous meeting. Get his lead legs’ knee and keep the pressure on. Yoel did very little in the first two rounds, as if he didn’t want to exert too much energy and gas himself out. He came back strong in the third round and dropped the champion. A lot of head kicks from Whittaker put the Cuban in tough spots. With his win Whittaker now has the longest middleweight win streak at 9.
😳 😳 😳@RobWhittakerMMA #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/jSXEHOcFzG
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
SOLDIER OF GOD!@YoelRomeroMMA #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/UHnvZZF2hh
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
HEART OF A CHAMPION. @RobWhittakerMMA #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/vvTDKbYubf
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018