UFC 283 took place this past weekend in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the main event, Jamahal Hill dominated Brazilian legend Glover Teixeira to become the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Hill showed great improvements from his last fight, with his cardio and takedown defence playing a pivotal role in the victory.
Find all of the UFC 283 results here.
Following the main event, Teixeira laid his gloves in the middle of the UFC Octagon and announced his retirement on the same night that fellow Brazilian legends Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Jose Aldo were celebrated.
In the co-main event, we finally saw an end to one of the UFC’s greatest rivalries, with Brandon Moreno stopping Deiveson Figueiredo for the second time to become a 2-time UFC Flyweight Champion. Moreno landed a huge left hook straight to Figueiredo’s eye, which swelled shut immediately, forcing a doctor’s stoppage between the third and fourth rounds.
Read some of our thoughts from UFC 283 below.
Hill Climbs Mountain Top
Jamahal Hill entered the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series and in 4 short years, has had a meteoric rise to becoming the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
Entering UFC 283, many believed that Hill would need a knockout if he were to win. Proving the doubters wrong, Hill put on a 5-round masterclass to defeat Teixeira via unanimous decision.
Hill’s incredible takedown defence, improved cardio and always dangerous power make him a serious threat against every other UFC Light Heavyweight contender. Alex Pereira, the UFC Middleweight Champion and Glover Teixiera’s protege, looms large over the Light Heavyweight division.
Brandon Moreno Finishes Quadrilogy
Moreno put a stamp on the UFC’s first quadrilogy, finishing Figueiredo via a doctor’s stoppage between rounds 3 and 4.
Moreno landed a devastating left hook, with his knuckle digging into Figueiredo’s eye, which swelled shut immediately. While Figueiredo protested for an eye poke, the punch was completely legal.
After the bout, Figueiredo announced he would move up to the UFC Bantamweight division after a series of tough weight cuts. Moreno comes out of UFC 283 as a 2-time UFC Flyweight Champion, and at only 29 years of age, the division’s future.
Another rivalry is up next for Moreno, with Alexandre Pantoja likely the next title challenger after being the UFC 283 backup and confronting Moreno backstage.
Pantoja holds two victories over Moreno, one in the UFC and one in The Ultimate Fighter. However, Moreno has made vast improvements since, and is the best Flyweight on the planet.