MAIN EVENT
The much-anticipated main event of UFC Fight Night in Singapore delivered an electrifying spectacle as two of the featherweight division’s most thrilling fighters clashed. Max “Blessed” Holloway, a former UFC interim featherweight champion and the division’s #1 ranked fighter, squared off against the #8 ranked Jung Chan-sung, known as The Korean Zombie.
The fight reached a critical turning point in the second round when The Korean Zombie, despite being knocked down and subjected to a chokehold by Holloway, exhibited extraordinary resilience, living up to his moniker.
However, the third round proved to be decisive. In a do-or-die situation, both fighters unleashed a flurry of punches. Max Holloway’s right-hand punch connected first, delivering a devastating knockout blow to Jung Chan-sung, securing the victory just 23 seconds into the round.
Holloway expressed his deep connection to his Hawaiian roots in his post-fight remarks, dedicating the win to his hometown of Lahaina, Maui, and urging fans to share his victory to support his fellow Hawaiians. He also paid tribute to his opponent, acknowledging The Korean Zombie’s legendary status in the sport.
A remarkable moment occurred after the fight, as Jung Chan-sung signalled his retirement by leaving his gloves in the center of the Octagon. In his post-fight interview, he confirmed his retirement, expressing his ambition to become a champion when he started his career and his reluctance to settle for anything less than the top spot in the rankings. Unfortunately, with the loss, he believed that the opportunity had passed, leading to his decision to retire.
CO-MAIN EVENT
The co-main event featured a rematch between two light heavyweight knockout artists, Anthony “Lionheart” Smith and Ryan “Superman” Spann. Unlike their previous encounter, this bout showcased a significantly different dynamic.
Both fighters showcased their striking prowess in the first round, landing powerful and precise headshots. However, the tide turned in the second round when Ryan Spann began accumulating damage on Anthony Smith. Surprisingly, they managed to reach the final bell, with the judges ultimately awarding a split decision victory to Smith (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
In his post-fight comments, Smith embraced his age and experience, acknowledging that he is a 35-year-old father with an extensive fighting career behind him. He urged fans to appreciate his journey and resilience in the sport. Despite recognising Spann’s physical superiority, Smith’s determination and ability to regroup after a challenging second round secured him the victory.
MAIN CARD
The main card featured a series of highly competitive and engaging matchups:
- Giga “Ninja” Chikadze earned a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) over Alex “Bruce Leeroy” Caceres, showcasing his striking skills.
- Rinya “Hybrid” Nakamura delivered a dominant performance, winning unanimously (30-26, 30-27, 30-27) against Fernie Garcia through powerful kicks and effective grappling.
- Erin “Cold Blooded” Blanchfield secured a unanimous decision win (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) over Taila Santos, demonstrating her well-rounded skills.
- In a brief yet explosive encounter, Junior “The Juggernaut” Tafa achieved a first-round KO via strikes against Parker Porter.
PRELIMS
The preliminary fights featured a display of remarkable talent and resilience:
- Waldo “Salsa Boy” Cortes-Acosta displayed his knockout power, securing a Round 1 KO with a right-hand punch at the 3:01 mark against Łukasz “The Bull” Brzesk.
- Garrett Armfield outmatched Toshiomi “Silent Finisher” Kazama, earning a Round 1 TKO with a powerful right hand at 4:16.
- Michał “Hussar” Oleksiejczuk claimed victory over Chidi “Chidi Bang Bang” Njokuani with a Round 1 TKO via strikes at 4:16.
- Song “The Assassin” Kenan won a closely contested welterweight bout via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) against Rolando “The Machine” Bedoya.
- Billy Goff finished Yusaku “Wonderboy” Kinoshita with a Round 1 TKO via a body shot at 3:49.
- J.J. Aldrich secured a Round 2 TKO victory over Liang “Dragon Girl” Na with strikes at 4:49.
- Choi “Sting” Seung-woo won a unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) in a featherweight battle against Jarno Errens, showcasing his striking skills.
AWARDS
The event’s standout performances were recognised with awards:
- Fight of the Night: The thrilling battle between Max Holloway and The Korean Zombie earned the Fight of the Night award, celebrating the night’s most exciting contest.
- Performances of the Night: Justin Tafa and Michał Oleksiejczuk received Performance of the Night awards for their exceptional displays in the Octagon.
