Twitter Reacts To Strange UFC Albany Main Event
UFC Albany went down from the Times Union Center in the capital of the Empire State tonight (Friday, December 9, 2016). The Fight Pass event was headlined by a heavyweight duel between fan-favorite Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis and streaking Russian Shamil Abdurakhimov.
The main event was a weird one. Lewis’ typical kick-heavy game at range cost him dearly in the first few rounds, as Abdurakhimov routinely caught his kicks and took down the Houston export. A punch to the eye also clearly hampered Lewis throughout the fight, as he continually blinked and rubbed it. But the Russian’s lack of meaningful offense would come back to haunt him. Lewis still had enough left in the tank in the fourth round to go for his own takedown. He moved to mount soon after completing it, and from there he pounded out his foil for his fifth straight victory.
In the heavyweight co-headliner, Francis Ngannou made quick work of Anthony Hamilton. The scarily powerful French prospect quickly escaped an early takedown from Hamilton, and then worked to fend off another against the cage. Ngannou latched on a kimura grip, took Hamilton down, and finished the armlock with seeming ease in the very first round.
Check out Twitter’s reaction to these eccentric heavyweight tilts below:
https://twitter.com/mookiealexander/status/807423130134265861
They going to make Abdurahimov take that sweater off or…what?
— Suzanne (@SoozieCuzie) December 10, 2016
Sometimes…no…occasionally, no….rarely, I pick against a Dagestani. This is one of those times. #UFCAlbany
— Mike Chiappetta MMA (@MikeChiappetta) December 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/LegKickTKO/status/807427900773466112
Shamil doing everything right so far. Making Lewis work.
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/mookiealexander/status/807428585900404736
Shamil is excellent at catching kicks. Lewis is gonna need to pressure with punches if he wants to gain ground. #UFCAlbany
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) December 10, 2016
Lewis always seems so calm. Like he's hanging out at a pizza place waiting for them to call up his order. #UFCAlbany
— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) December 10, 2016
Quick, someone land big before this turns to 5 rounds of this.
— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) December 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/Patrick_Wyman/status/807431027719143424
This is one of the best WSoF undercard fights I've ever seen.
— The Naked Gambler (@NakedGambling) December 10, 2016
Dog: #UFCAlbany card
Cat: MMA fans pic.twitter.com/z7HEWgkdlo— Jee (@yellowpwerrngr) December 10, 2016
Good thing I don't have a social life that I'm missing for this fight. #ufcalbany
— Thomas Cunningham (@spilledbagofice) December 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/JustBleedMMA/status/807433852037648384
All the "big hitter" talk centered on Derrick Lewis, but Francis Ngannou is right there. Felling oak trees with that right hand.
— Bleacher Report MMA (@BR_MMA) December 10, 2016
Ngannou is one scary dude.#UFCAlbany pic.twitter.com/kXYM34QfXb
— Wesley Riddle (@AllThatMMA) December 10, 2016
Francis Ngannou by first-round submission? Certainly didn't pick that. Legit.
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) December 10, 2016
That dude's kinda strong, eh?
— Dann Stupp (@DannStupp) December 10, 2016
Francis Ngannou tapped Anthony Hamilton with the standing kimura sweep to side control and finished. You know. Like fucking Sakuraba. What?
— Jordan Breen (@jordanbreen) December 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/123midnite/status/807421875789922304
Seriously though, Ngannou's progression is insane. That's a lighter man's move & he executes it technically w/a knee on belly. #UFCAlbany
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) December 10, 2016
Hype Train derails the Freight Train. #UFCAlbany
— Shit Joe Rogan Says (@ShitJRoganSays) December 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/UFC_Obsessed/status/807421880730718208
#UFCAlbany pic.twitter.com/APvIa4ZeGq
— MMA GOSSiP (@MMAxGossip) December 10, 2016
Ouchie. pic.twitter.com/Ij6cVWd8d6
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) December 10, 2016
Every top-10 heavyweight right now. pic.twitter.com/Ye9jezP2EL
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) December 10, 2016
