UFC Vegas 31 recap: Islam Makhachev dominates, Miesha Tate’s impressive return

Islam Makhachev easily defeated Thiago Moises on Saturday in Las Vegas. Winning by submission in round four of their main event at UFC Vegas 31.

Islam Makhachev wins eighth straight in dominant UFC Vegas 31 main event win

The lightweight bout was stopped at 2:38 after Makhachev put Moises in a rear-naked choke. Makhachev dominated his first appearance as a promotional headliner To that point, Makhachev had 148 total strikes to Moises’ 18. Makhachev had 61 significant strikes to just 13 for Moises.

It was the first submission loss of Moises’ career.

Makhachev, 29, called for a booking with former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos immediately after the victory.

“Why all these guys run?” Makhachev said. “Nobody wants to take this fight. … You can run, but you can’t hide. I am here.”

Makhachev improved to 20-1 while Moises fell to 15-5.

Miesha Tate make triumphant return

Miesha Tate won by technical knockout over Marion Reneau in the night’s co-main event. The former champ battered Reneau with ground-and-pound and the fight was stopped at 1:53 of the third round.

Tate improved to 19-7 in her first bout after a five-year retirement, while Reneau officially competed for the last time as a UFC competitor. She announced ahead of time this fight would be her last.

Other winners Saturday night included Mateusz Gamrot (submission), Rodolfo Vieira (submission), and Billy Quarantillo (TKO) in a likely fight of the year candidate brawl versus Gabriel Benitez.

–Field Level Media