StandingO

Well, this weekend’s card had a little bit of it all. We were treated to some thrillers, some snoozers, some upsets, a few potent knockouts, one of the craziest comebacks we have seen, and unfortunately, one of the more disappointing ways to end a highly anticipated fight card. 

Let’s talk about some of the fighters who walked out of the octagon having raised their stock the most.

Ricky Simon

Hands down, for me, Ricky Simon walks away from UFC Long Island creating the most buzz around his name. He continues to improve and impress each time we see him fight against better and better competition. This time out he put together all his tools against previously undefeated and highly hyped prospect Jack Shore. We knew that Shore would have the striking advantage on the feet. It was gonna be about what Simon did to combat that disadvantage. And what ultimately led to Simon handing Shore his first professional loss? A perfectly timed and executed right hook to the temple that Shore felt from his head to his toes stunning and dropping him. The thing that really impressed me about Simon and what I think will continue to take him far in this sport, is what followed after Shore fell to the mat. It was his ability to stay in the moment and use his intelligence inside the ring. He calmly pounced on Shore and intelligently swung his leg over for full mount and called checkmate. And for the third time in his MMA career, second in the UFC, won by arm-triangle choke. It is hard to doubt a fighter who has proven to be a student of the game and learns from each of his previous fights. He will have my full attention against a top 10 opponent next time out.

Emily Ducote

You’ve probably never heard of her. And that’s because this was her first fight with the UFC. But you should now know and remember the name. Ducote looked poised and collected for her first fight in the UFC, and in front of fans for that matter. Even if it was the first fight on the card with New Yorkers still rolling into the arena for an early afternoon card. The nerves certainly did not get the best of her. Her striking was strategic and well timed while the leg kicks lead to the demise of Penne. Again, for her first fight she showed she has some tools in her bag to rise up the ranks of the Womens Strawweight division. 

Lauren Murphy

Going off of the odds, Murphy was one of the bigger upsets on the card. And boy did she look good in a decisive win over Meisha Tate. At 38, soon to be 39, she proved that she might have one more title run in her and her message the entire week was just that. She is adamant that she still has the fight left in her to claim that belt. Coming off of a solid camp with her health and diet finally in check she claims to be in one of the best places in her career. And she backed up her remarks on Saturday. Murphy’s striking accuracy was on point and she still showed solid movement inside the octagon. In the end, she made Tate’s face look unrecognizable. It will be intriguing to see what the UFC decides to do with her next. 

Lastly, how can we discuss UFC Long Island without talking about the fight of the night, and arguably a comeback of the year that will be difficult to top.

Matt Schnell vs Su Mudaerji

What a fight!! This is why we love this sport. Two fighters showing no quit. Neither one willing to give in until somebody is out cold. We had blood, we had momentum switches and we had a true backyard brawl we were gifted with. It was beautiful. This sport isnt for everyone, and I think we all understand that. But for true fight fans this was a cinematic masterpiece for us to witness. And luckily we had 17,000 fans in attendance to add to the energy and atmosphere this fight created. Both fighters deserve all the praise we can give them. So, on behalf of fight fans, thank you Matt Schnell and Su Mudaerji.