Brendan Miller
UFC 300 somehow exceeded its own expectations. The landmark event provided some of the most exciting finals in recent years and dramatic action in Las Vegas, with all 13 fights giving fans something to talk about.
The main event saw Alex Pereira make quick work of Jamahal Hill to retain his light heavyweight title. Pereira, who already held the middleweight title, is hoping for a quick turnaround to fight at UFC 301 in Brazil next month. Additionally, women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili retained her title with a decision over Yan Xiaonan. This fight had some dramatic twists, as Zhang appeared to submit Yan twice in the first two rounds, only for Yan to recover in the middle rounds and give the champion all she could handle.
But the highlight of the night was Max Holloway. “Blessed” defeated former lightweight title challenger Justin Gaethje over five rounds before delivering a brutal knockout that left Gaethje unconscious with one second left on the clock. The former featherweight king hopes to get the chance to challenge for the featherweight or lightweight title.
After UFC CEO Dana White promised to increase performance bonuses from $50,000 to $300,000 at Thursday’s press conference, fighters went to great lengths to get the extra money. Holloway did just that by winning Performance of the Night and sharing Fight of the Night with Gaethje. The other Performance of the Night award went to Jiri Prochazka for his fight against Aleksandr Rakic via TKO in the preliminaries.
CBS Sports has been with you throughout fight week with the latest news, in-depth features and betting advice to consider. Thanks for stopping by and see you at UFC 301 in Brazil.
UFC 300 fight card, odds
- Alex Pereira (c) won. Jamahal Hill by first round knockout (punch)
- Zhang Weili (c) defeated. Yan Xiao Nan by unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45)
- Max Holloway defeated. Justin Gaethje by knockout in the fifth round (punch)
- Arman Tsarukyan defeated. Carlos Oliveira via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Bo Nickal defeated. Cody Brundage via second round submission (rear naked choke)
- Jiri Prochazka defeated. Aleksandar Rakić by technical knockout in the second round (punches)
- Aljamain Sterling defeated. Calvin Kattar by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Kayla Harrison defeated. Holly Holm by submission in the second round (rear naked choke)
- Diego Lopes defeated. Sodiq Yusuff by technical knockout in the first round (punches)
- Renato Moicano defeated. Jalin Turner via second round TKO (punches)
- Jessica Andrade won. Marina Rodriguez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Bobby Green defeated. Jim Miller by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 29-26)
- Deiveson Figueiredo won. Cody Garbrandt by submission in the second round (rear naked choke)
