Despite not being a card packed with name competitors, or even much in terms of ranked talent, UFC Vegas 30 delivered an event with quite a few entertaining scraps and finishes. For several winners, their victories had an added layer of importance. While for certain fighters on the losing side of their bouts, the setbacks stung deeper than previous defeats. Here are the pivotal UFC Vegas 30 winners, losers, and performance bonus recipients.
UFC Vegas 30 winner and loser: Ciryl Gane
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1408921617292537858
Last night at UFC Vegas 30, nine-fight heavyweight veteran Ciryl Gane put forth a strategically smart game plan in out striking fifth-ranked Alexander Volkov for 25 minutes. Furthermore, getting in five rounds against elite competition, in a UFC event headliner, could be viewed as hugely beneficial in the Frenchman’s continued mixed martial arts development. Not to mention, he solidified his place as a legit contender to heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and that’s why he is a key winner from last night. However, yesterday also saw a major missed opportunity for “Bon Gamin.”
Ngannou still does not officially have a dance partner for his first title defense. There are clear hold-ups in possible bookings against former two-time champ Stipe Miocic, second-ranked Derrick Lewis, and light heavyweight legend Jon Jones. A bold and impressive victory over “Drago” could have made UFC matchmakers rethink their options, and maybe hand the title fight to Gane. There is already a great narrative between the two, with Gane’s coach Fernand Lopez being Ngannou’s former mentor. But that fight is definitely not happening now after a strategic, yet uneventful win last night.
UFC Vegas 30 losers: Justin Jaynes
Justin Jaynes’ loss last night was crushing on several levels. First, it was his fourth straight setback in the Octagon. Meaning he has to be concerned about his job security heading into the next couple of weeks. But in a stunning fight week admission, “Guitar Hero” claimed he bet his entire US $25,000 fight night contract on himself to win the bout. So not only is his spot on the roster in peril, but he is out US $25K, earned no win bonus, and wasn’t able to score a performance bonus either. It is a nightmarish occurrence that speaks to the unfortunate pay situation for fighters not in the top 15, as much as it does Jaynes’ poor financial decision-making.
UFC Vegas winners: Renato “Moicano”
https://twitter.com/espnmma/status/1408884384564977672
It seems like ages ago when Renato “Moicano” Carneiro had won five of six in the Octagon and was booked for a career-defining moment with featherweight great Jose Aldo. Yet before he entered the Octagon at UFC Vegas 30, he had lost three of four and fell flat in his lightweight debut at UFC 256, when Rafael Fiziev ended his night in less than a minute. Yesterday, the Brazilian needed a win bad and he got it.
The former rising featherweight needed the victory to prove he still has star potential in the promotion, and show that switching to 155 pounds was a smart career move and not a desperate strategy to change his fortunes. Although Jai Herbert gave him trouble in the striking department, “Moicano” looked strong and used the recently abandoned skills that originally made him a name in the organization: His Brazilian jiu-jitsu. At 32, Carneiro still has a bunch of time to become as valuable a name at lightweight as he once was at featherweight.
UFC Vegas 30 losers: Ike Villanueva and Yancy Medeiros
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Ike Villanueva and Yancy Medeiros’ defeats last night put them in difficult spots heading into next week. While “Hurricane’s” defeat did not continue a losing streak, his technical knockout loss to Marcin Prachnio was his third setback in four Octagon appearances, and all three have been knockouts. As for “The Kid,” like Jaynes, he has now dropped four straight. The question is, does either have enough of a case to get another shot in the promotion?
Medeiros has headlined an event in the past and does have six wins in the Octagon. However, for as fan-friendly of a fighter as he is, the longest losing skid of his career could mean he’s hit a ceiling. Villanueva, 37, also offers an audience-pleasing style, but he doesn’t have the tenure of the Hawaiian. The days ahead could be nerve-wracking and filled with regret for both of these entertaining brawlers.
UFC Vegas 30 winners: Kennedy Nzechukwu
https://twitter.com/espnmma/status/1408876062134648846
Dallas’ Kennedy Nzechukwu is the latest one-to-watch prospect in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. He impressively earned his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in the Summer of 2018, and after getting submitted in his promotional debut by Paul Craig (no shame in that), he has won two straight. Like any prospect with a base built on striking, passing the test of a skilled grappler is key in his development. Especially, since his loss to “Bearjew” is the only defeat on his resume.
For the first couple of rounds in his bout with Danilo Marques, it seemed like he was going to fail his second grappling test in the Octagon. As Marques controlled “African Savage” with his jiu-jitsu for much of the first 10 minutes. However, Nzechukwu showed a fantastic gas tank and improved BJJ defense as he survived his opponent’s advances and made him pay when things got back to the feet. By the final round, Marques was exhausted from trying to submit the 29-year-old and became fodder in a destructive victory for Nzechukwu. Earning a key development moment in a young career with a whole bunch of promise.
UFC Vegas 30 performance bonuses
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1408971968439742471
Fight of the Night: Timur Valiev vs Raoni Barcelos
Performance of the Night: Kennedy Nzechukwu
Performance of the Night: Marcin Prachnio
