Several fighters shined on Saturday night inside the UFC Apex, and others had showings they will look back on with disappointment and frustration. Here are the notable UFC Vegas 35 winners and losers from the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s latest instalment of Octagon violence in Las Vegas, Nevada.
UFC Vegas 35 Winner: Giga Chikadze
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If there was any doubt about Giga Chikadze’s place as the fastest rising contender in the UFC’s featherweight division, they were put to rest on Saturday night. Over three rounds with one of the best strikers in the UFC over the last decade, “Ninja” proved to be faster, more diverse, and more technical than the former lightweight contender. In finishing the Brazilian by knockout in the third, he stamped his place as a fearsometalent and a serious problem for every other fighter in the top-10 at 145-pounds.
UFC Vegas 35 Winner: Daniel Rodriguez
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In the lead-up to his bout with Kevin Lee, Daniel Rodriguez seemed almost like an afterthought. Coming in on two weeks’ notice was part of that, but more so that “Motown Phenom” is a personality and talent that certainly can hog a spotlight. However in the end, “D-Rod” once again proved why he is one of the best welterweights outside the top-15. On Saturday, he answered questions on his grappling skills, and continued to prove why he is a serious handful on the feet, as he moved his Octagon record to an impressive 6-1 and likely earned a spot in the welterweight rankings next week.
UFC Vegas 35 Loser: Jamall Emmers
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You have to feel for Jamall Emmers. The 32-year-old has had a terrible 2021. His February bout with Chas Skelly was cancelled literally at the last minute when a herniated disc in his back took him out of the bout right before he was set to walk to the Octagon. After six months away to recover from the injury, he returned at UFC Vegas 35 and looked good early on against Pat Sabatini.
However, things went downhill in a hurry when the fight hit the mat and Sabatini showcased his filthy grappling skills when he forced “Pretty Boy” to tap from a heel hook. It’s a hold known for tearing knee ligaments, and based on the way Emmers reacted after the fight ended, he could be in for another extended injury hiatus.
UFC Vegas 35 Winner: Gerald Meerschaert
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Gerald Meerschaert was by far the biggest underdog at UFC Vegas 35 at +450. That’s pretty much Vegas oddsmakers way of saying they expected Makhmud Muradov to pretty much run right through the Milwaukee middleweight. And in the first round, it seemed like they might be right. However, “GM3” showed the composure of a 47-fight veteran, and a serious chin as Muradov threw everything at him. The 33-year-old weathered it all, dealt out damage of his own on the feet, and then added another notch to his growing UFC middleweight record for submissions.
UFC Vegas Loser: Sam Alvey
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Despite not having a victory since June of 2018, Sam Alvey has been given an absurd amount of chances to hold on to his spot on the roster after an 0-5-1 run in his last six Octagon appearances. He has been in a must-win scenario for his last four fights, yet “Smile ‘N” left UFC Vegas 35 with another L on his record. What makes it all the more disastrous — aside from his job being in serious peril — is that he lost despite his opponent Wellington Turman losing two points in the third round for accidental eye pokes. Alvey’s seven-year Octagon run could be at an end.
