On Saturday, July 13, 2024, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) held its event at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Unfortunately, it seemed like the promotion had taken an Apex event and brought it on the road. The night was further hindered by injuries affecting the main and co-main event fights. Even under the best circumstances, UFC Denver was never considered a highly anticipated night of action.
Luckily, the fighters managed to provide an exhilarating display of action! Now, let’s revisit the outstanding performances and techniques showcased at UFC Denver.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Rose Namajunas At Her Flyweight Best
Rose Namajunas’ last two Flyweight fights were solid, but they lacked the explosive energy we saw when she knocked out Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Her performance against Amanda Ribas seemed a bit lackluster, and she ultimately lost to Manon Fiorot, leaving doubts about her capabilities at 125-pounds.
Setting aside the circumstances, this triumph boosts Namajunas’ confidence as a contender for the title. She displayed exceptional skills in the initial stages of the fight, gracefully dodging Tracy Cortez’s attacks while landing powerful punches. Cortez struggled to connect with her strikes while Namajunas consistently showcased her wrestling prowess against the larger opponent throughout the entire 25-minute bout. Although a finish would have been ideal, a decisive victory over a highly respected rising star is still a significant achievement for Namajunas.
In my opinion, I believe the best option would be to reschedule her fight against Maycee Barber. However, it is uncertain how the unpredictable Flyweight title situation will unfold. If Valentina Shevchenko indeed refuses to fight Alexa Grasso in the Sphere, Namajunas could potentially step in as an alternative.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Jean Silva Is FOR REAL!
A few weeks back, Jean Silva displayed an outstanding performance at UFC 303 as he dismantled Charles Jourdain. Silva effectively transformed a seasoned striker into a wrestler and ultimately secured a knockout victory by skillfully landing an uppercut during a failed takedown attempt. The 27-year-old Brazilian showcased immense power and composure, delivering an incredibly remarkable performance.
In an astonishing manner, he surpassed all expectations. Silva fearlessly accepted the challenge of facing Drew Dober, a highly skilled and renowned fighter in the 155-pound category, at a high altitude. Dober, who is not only physically imposing but also recognized for his exceptional knockout abilities, has built a reputation for his endurance and resilience in intense fights.
All those circumstances add up to an unreasonably tall ask, yet Silva smoked him. He was touching Dober up from the first bell, which isn’t a total shock given that Featherweight speed advantage. What was more surprising was that Silva’s power made a clear impact on the iron chin of Dober, and he was relatively unbothered by the fire coming back his way. That trend largely continued as the rounds wore on, and Silva somehow never really slowed down despite the high pace, short-notice, and altitude.
Silva showcased his superior skills against Dober throughout the majority of three rounds. He effectively used counter punches and spinning elbows to dominate his opponent. Dober narrowly escaped defeat at the end of the second round, but Silva wasted no time in finishing him off in the third. By worsening the cut above Dober’s eye, Silva made it clear to referee Herb Dean that the fight was over. Although it took a moment for Dean to realize it, Silva’s judgment proved to be accurate once again.
The man poses a challenge. He shows promising potential for becoming a champion. While it is still uncertain, it is safe to predict that he will defeat numerous opponents before concluding his UFC career.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Classic Juicy J
The matchup between Julian Erosa and Christian Rodriguez clearly showcased the near-impossibility of selecting opponents for Erosa’s fights.
In the fight, Rodriguez dominated most of the time by relentlessly attacking Erosa in close range, which is where the tall Featherweight prefers to engage. He skillfully boxed the experienced fighter, exploiting his vulnerable low hand position with a precise high kick, and consistently outperformed him in every exchange. However, the challenge with Erosa lies in his ability to remain highly threatening unless you successfully deliver a knockout blow.
In this instance, Erosa’s grappling skills turned the tables in his favor. He managed to grab hold of Rodriguez’s kick and swiftly flipped him over, gaining control of his back. Initially, it seemed like a disadvantage for “CeeRod,” but he displayed his own expertise by reversing the position and entering a guard. However, Erosa took advantage of the opportunity and quickly executed a closed guard guillotine, a technique deemed outdated in 2024. Surprisingly, Rodriguez tapped desperately to alleviate the intense pressure on his windpipe.
“Trust is always elusive with him, yet one can never underestimate the resilience of ‘Juicy J’.”
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images A Veteran KO
Although Charles Johnson wasn’t exactly winning in the first ten minutes, he displayed his intelligence by countering Joshua Van’s relentless pressure and combination punching with a plethora of clever responses.
Immediately, Johnson sought to erode his opponent’s defenses by launching left kicks towards the arms frequently and targeting the lead leg. He frequently switched stances and employed combinations, attempting to penetrate the composed guard of his 22-year-old adversary. Johnson’s diverse arsenal proved to be a significant advantage, as he unleashed round kicks, punches from various angles, spinning strikes, and step-in elbows.
The issue he faced was that Van’s strikes packed a much stronger punch. The contrast in impact was evident, and Johnson’s movement seemed somewhat unconventional. It appeared as though he was attempting to imitate Muay Thai techniques as an MMA fighter, which, although not a terrible concept, appeared slightly peculiar when compared to a seasoned Nak Muay who had been practicing it for years.
In summary, despite being the underdog, “Inner G” managed to stay competitive throughout the entire ten minutes. However, he significantly intensified his performance in the last round, delivering powerful punches and launching forward immediately. He landed a solid hook on Van and then swiftly knocked him down with a devastating uppercut, ultimately securing a victory by stoppage.
While Johnson may not pose a significant challenge for the 125 lbs. title, his presence in the division is crucial for providing experienced opponents to test promising talents like Van. Johnson’s qualifications make him an excellent choice for this role, and it’s worth mentioning that his fights are always entertaining. Regarding Van, this learning experience will undoubtedly contribute to his improvement, so it’s important not to lose hope in this young prospect.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Bantamweight’s Dark Horse?
Montel Jackson’s dangerous nature has been evident to anyone who has been observant.
To begin with, it is crucial to mention that the fighter known as “Quik” possesses an imposing stature, standing at an impressive 5’10” and exhibiting remarkable physical strength. His experience in wrestling makes him particularly difficult to bring down, allowing Jackson to exploit this advantage by delivering powerful punches akin to the speed and force of a piston to anyone who dares to approach him. Notably, he has been making significant strides in his UFC career, quietly amassing an outstanding record by triumphing in eight out of his last nine fights, including a recent victory over Da’Mon Blackshear, which concluded with a stoppage.
Regarding the victory itself… what can be said? In a mere 18 seconds, Jackson ignited his opponent with a flawless 1-2 combination, catching Blackshear off guard as he attempted to launch his own attack. Jackson’s ability to consistently deliver knockdowns, and now knockouts, in the lighter weight divisions is truly impressive. It is high time to match him up against a ranked opponent and witness his skills in action.
Does anyone have any updates on Jonathan Martinez’s current activities?
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Additional Thoughts
- Luana Santos defeats Mariya Agapova via first-round rear naked choke: This fight wasn’t remotely competitive. Santos floored Agapova very early with a right hand then slammed her to the floor with a massive Judo throw. Almost immediately, she was in mount, threatening an arm triangle. Agapova gave up the back to avoid that strangle, and the rear naked choke sunk in quickly. At 24 years of age, Santos has demonstrated a well-rounded game and won three straight in the Octagon, establishing herself as a serious prospect at 125 lbs.
- Evan Elder defeats Darrius Flowers via second-round arm triangle (HIGHLIGHTS): One of the many short-notice bouts on the card, this one wasn’t particularly surprising. Elder didn’t have an impressive record heading into this fight (1-2 UFC), but he showed a pretty advanced skill set in victory or defeat. Flowers, meanwhile, has a weird mix of skills and no complete MMA game, and he was the man who stepped up to fight at altitude on short-notice! Predictably, it didn’t go well, and Elder was largely able to dominate his foe on the floor en route to the tapout win.
For complete UFC Denver: “Namajunas vs. Cortez” results and play-by-play, click HERE!
