UFC Vegas 34 is in the books and Jared Cannonier maintained his #3-ranking with a dominant unanimous decision victory against Kelvin Gastelum.
Taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada inside the UFC Apex Facility, the two middleweights met in the middle and for the most part, participated in a close striking contest. The “Killa Gorilla” met the moment with power that has translated from the heavyweight division. Demonstrated in his current home: the 185-pound division, it’s clear that Cannonier’s skillset is a puzzling task to solve.
In an effort to establish himself as a clear contender, the dark horse of the middleweight division dominated Gastelum en route to a unanimous decision victory. While Gastelum had his moments and picked up a couple of rounds, it was Cannonier who dropped him in the third round, which in the eyes of many, secured him the win at UFC Vegas 34.
Big shot drops Gastelum in the 3rd! #UFC #UFCVegas34pic.twitter.com/TmbvUl4P6N
— All Access MMA (@AllAccessMMA247) August 22, 2021
Additionally, the night saw veteran Clay Guida take on the wrestling Olympic silver medalist Mark O. Madsen. Known for his grappling pedigree, the Danish Madsen and Guida went to war. Despite the fight being close, it ended with Madsen getting his hand raised with the biggest win of his career.
The night was truly special and the preliminary action reflected that. In what will possibly be crowned ‘knockout of the year’, the 23-year old Ignacio Bahamondes scored a spectacular knockout against the fellow tall lightweight Roosevelt Roberts. Five seconds before the bell sounded for the third and final round, the Chilean launched a spinning wheel kick that connected clean and earned him the 50K performance of the night bonus.
Official decision: Ignacio Bahamondes (12-4) defeats Roosevelt Roberts (10-3, 1 NC) via KO (Headkick) #UFCVegas34 #UFCpic.twitter.com/bZAoffl9MN
— All Access MMA (@AllAccessMMA247) August 22, 2021
Ignacio Bahamondes was stoked to get some IN-N-OUT last night after his incredible knockout. pic.twitter.com/9YJwQs0Wpp
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) August 22, 2021
Even though UFC Vegas 34 did not have marquee names embedded throughout the card, the event delivered on the action in wholesale. Check out what the pros had to say following Cannonier’s big win against Kelvin Gastelum.
UFC Vegas 34 Pros React To Jared Cannonier’s Big Win
29-28 for Cannonier after 3 if you ask me.
— michael (@bisping) August 22, 2021
At this pace it can’t go 25 minutes
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) August 22, 2021
Shows what I know. They’ve been buzzing for 25 minutes. Good fight main event #UFCVegas34 Canonnier for the decision, gotta make a bottle GN
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) August 22, 2021
Very competitive. A little more volume and I thought KG would’ve taken it or even pressing JC against the cage more. Big win for JC but KG is a savage! He’s fought all the best guys that 185 has to offer in the UFC https://t.co/Judmz0Crta
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) August 22, 2021
That is an egregious misunderstanding of the unified rules. KG is winning.
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) August 22, 2021
Great main event Jared showed he can go 5 rounds and kelvin proved that he’s still a top contender in the division and can beat anyone on the right night
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 22, 2021
I think I won but whatever …
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) August 22, 2021
Congratulations to Jared Cannonier on a very competitive fight!
Small adjustments and we’re back on top!
Tonight just proved that! We’re very close to being the best in the world.
Almost there & On to the next one!— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) August 22, 2021
How did you score the five-round main event between Kelvin Gastelum and Jared Cannonier?
