UFC

UFC Vegas 66 results: Cannonier defeats Strickland in tactical striking battle

Published

December 18, 2022

Top ranked middleweight Jared Cannonier just defeated Sean Strickland at UFC Vegas 66. Photo Jason Silva – USA TODAY Sports a

The last UFC card of 2022 just took place at the Apex in Las Vegas, and the show was headlined by top ranked middleweights Sean Strickland and Jared Cannonier.

The five-round main event turned out to be a tactical boxing fight where both fighters traded shots for 25 minutes. Strickland used his jab and effective footwork well while Cannonier seemed to land the more powerful shots.

In the end, Cannonier got 49-46 scores from the two of the judges, while one judge had it 49-46 for Strickland.

“I thought I had it 3 to 2,” Cannonier said in his post-fight interview. “I was pretty confident that I won. We saw the damage on his face from the first round and the last round. I thought I did enough.”

“I would definitely like another title shot – sooner rather than later.”

Splitting the scorecards!

💢 Jared Cannonier goes five full rounds and gets the decision victory! #UFCVegas66 pic.twitter.com/5j1Wz6cAyC

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 18, 2022

Arman Tsarukyan defeated Damir Ismagulov

In the co-main event, two of the division’s best lightweight prospects in Arman Tsarukyan and Damir Ismagulov clashed in a highly anticipated fight.

Tsarukyan was able to control large parts of the bout with his solid wrestling, and in the end, all three judges’ gave him 30-27 on the scorecards.

We also saw flyweight Amir Albazi finish Alessandro Costa with a powerful third-round uppercut to finish a successful year in style. Three fights into his UFC run he is still undefeated and the future looks bright for Albazi.

AMIR ALBAZI CHARGING UP THE RANKS!

🇮🇶 @AmirAlbazi still looking absolutely dominant at flyweight! #UFCVegas66 pic.twitter.com/ulPMp3kk8T

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 18, 2022

50 000 dollar bonuses

The Fight of the Night bonus went to the exciting clash between Drew Dober and Bobby Green.

Michal Oleksiejczuk and Alex Caceres was awarded with the Performance of the Night bonuses.

UFC Vegas 66 – Official results

Jared Cannonier def. Sean Strickland via split decision (49-46, 46-49, 49-46)
Arman Tsarukyan def. Damir Ismagulov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Amir Albazi def. Alessandro Costa via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 2:13
Alex Caceres def. Julian Erosa via TKO (head kick, punches) – Round 1, 3:04
Drew Dober def. Bobby Green via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 2:45
Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Cody Brundage via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:16
Cory McKenna def. Cheyanne Vlismas via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Matt Semelsberger def. Jake Matthews via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Said Nurmagomedov def. Saidyokub Kakhramonov via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 3:50
Rafa Garcia def. Hayisaer Maheshate via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Bryan Battle via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-27)
Manel Kape def. David Dvorak via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Sergey Morozov def. Journey Newson via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)