Your weekly mailbag for all sorts of combat. Last week, UFC put on its best event of the year, and Brand Risk Promotions hosted a controversial boxing matchup.
UFC Vegas was much better than UFC 326
UFC finally returned to form this weekend with a standout event from their APEX arena (warehouse). Kevin Vallejos topped off a violence-filled card with an early knockdown and knockout of Josh Emmett. He pins himself as a viable contender for Volkanovski’s featherweight throne, and at 24, he’s just getting started.
Despite some dicey decisions (looking at you, Johnson vs. Silva), this card played out much better than anyone would have hoped. To the tune of a few hundred Vegas fans in attendance, they put it all on the line, bled, and appeased the ‘Just Bleed’ Gods. There were even some standout prospects at UFC Vegas 114.
Ones to watch after UFC Vegas 114
- Elijah Smith showcased his grappling against Su Young You, silencing some doubt surrounding his ground game. He’s one to watch in Petr Yan’s bantamweight division.
- Steven Asplund lost his first high-profile fight in the UFC, but he made it competitive against Vitor Petrino. It was a rare, entertaining heavyweight fight in which both fighters showed some athleticism.
- Myktybek Orolbai bg brothered Chris Curtis in the featured prelim. Orolbai is becoming a real force at 170 lbs, with smothering control and bricks for fists.
- Marwan Rahiki is what you would call raw talent. The 23-year-old ‘Freaky’ fought on thin ice against Harry Hardwick before winning via broken jaw.
Adin Ross’ Brand Risk Promotions platformed White Supremacist influencer who saluted after defeating opponent
Paul Miller, AKA ‘Gypsy Crusader,’ came up against fellow influencer Supah Hot Fire in a boxing match on Adin Ross’ Brand Risk Promotions on Saturday night. Miller made a name for himself with his online Nationalist rhetoric, advocacy for race wars, and neo-Nazism.
Despite a massive size difference, Miller scraped a split decision. This didn’t stop him from throwing up a fascist salute inside the ring. But hey, hatred sells, and we’re never too far from fascism in combat sports.
