Undefeated 23-year-old Brazilian bantamweight super prospect Thomas Almeida (20-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) took on 36-year-old British veteran fighter Brad Pickett (24-11 MMA, 4-6 UFC) in the 135 lbs division to open up the UFC 189. The crafty veteran was taking care of business in the first round, knocking down Almeida once with a left hook and a second time with a knee. However the young buck quickly recovered with youthful resilience and dropped Pickett with a right elbow.
Then it took Almeida only 29 seconds in the second round to dispose of Pickett with a ferocious, picture-perfect flying knee. Pickett plunged to the canvas from the crushing finishing flying kick KO. The blow was so devastating that it was Pickett’s first straight-up KO loss in his 35 fight career.
Good lord @ThomasalmeidaCB #UFC189 pic.twitter.com/LeppTyD9IT
— Tyler Myles (@TheTylerMyles) July 12, 2015
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“It was very important for my career,” Almeida said after the win. “I’m forged with iron and I’m here to stay.”
Bruh. #UFC189 pic.twitter.com/wptq2rKa7s
— DTAM (@DeathToAllMarks) July 12, 2015
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There was this stirring match, but there was also the brutal and bloody battle between Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes. Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White called UFC 189, the “best UFC ever.”