Another magical event is in the books for the UFC as we look forward to the next. A huge event with plenty of shocks and surprises along the way. As we move forward we thought we’d take a look at the biggest winners from UFC 288.
Although the sport of MMA is very much defined by wins and losses, we’re not just looking at people who have won and people who have lost. It’s taking their career trajectory into account as well as what this win means for their careers moving forward.
Ikram Aliskerov
Entering his UFC debut off of his impressive Adana White’s Contender Series showing. Aliskerov was thrown in at the deep end and tasked with facing the always-dangerous Phil Hawes in his UFC debut. Despite not being in career-best form, Hawes was 4-2 in the UFC before the fight.
Many other DWCS are eased into their UFC debut, often given an opponent who hasn’t quite found their feet in the UFC. Giving Aliskerov a tough challenge as they did was an indication of how highly the UFC hierarchy rate the Russian.
Well with good reason, it appears that Dana White and company had a master stroke setting this match up into action. Aliskerov delivered a huge walk-off knockout midway through the third and didn’t even need to use his grappling once.
Now 14-1 his future in the UFC looks bright. With his only career loss coming to fellow UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev.
Virna Jandiroba
Number nine at Strawweight before this bout, she’ll find herself in the top five this time next week. Taking on Marina Rodriguez, an expert in the striking department. Jandiroba would execute the perfect game plan to suit her skill set.
Not the prettiest of wins, and not one the fans will want to relive. It was a good and professional display where Jandiroba controlled Rodriguez on the mat and threatened with constant submissions.
That makes it two in a row for the Brazilian, but more importantly, she enters the top five. This puts her within touching distance of a shot at gold. One more big win and there’s a case to be made that Virna Jandiroba deserves an opportunity at the champion.
Matt Frevola
Ahead of Matt Frevola’s fight with Drew Dober, many predicted this fight was going to be excellent and it was, for the one round it lasted. Two men who love to scrap, both hold power in their hands and throw with intent.
Both men were throwing big and landing throughout the fight. With around a minute and a half on the clock, Frevola landed a huge right hook that sent Dober to the canvas. Frevola pounced and began to unload vicious strikes forcing the fight to be stopped. Handing Dober his first TKO loss inside the UFC.
Not only is this a huge win because of the high-profile nature of the fight, but a ranking was at stake. This time next week Matt Frevola will be a top 15 lightweight. This can only mean bigger and better fights moving forward for Frevola.
Yan Xiaonan
Yan Xiaonan was faced with arguably her biggest test to date at UFC 288. Set to face off with Jessica Andrade, a former champion, and a woman who holds countless UFC records across multiple weight classes. Xiaonan would rise to the occasion.
Xiaonan would put on an elite showing on the feet. Landing hard and often while avoiding any offence Andrade had to offer. The end would come late in the first as Yan would land a one-punch KO scoring a huge victory.
Number six at strawweight heading into the bout, she’ll now find herself firmly inside the top five. A potential number one, contender fight next, Xiaonan is close to gold.
Honourable Mention
Diego Lopes came into his UFC debut tasked with taking on 16-0 Movsar Evloev on short notice. Despite not picking up the victory on the night. Lopes took Evloev to his limit and caused plenty of issues on the mat. An armbar in the first and a knee bar with seconds on the clock would have likely tapped many other fighters.
An indication of Lopes’ talent was Evloev claiming the Brazilian will have a big future in the Featherweight divisions after the bout.
Who were your biggest winners from UFC 288?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
