As the largest no-brainer of the night time, Dan Hooker and Mateusz Gamrot took dwelling an additional $50,000 for his or her all-out conflict on the principle card. The struggle got here by way of as probably the greatest of 2024 with Hooker sneaking out the cut up determination.
Though the oddsmakers and most viewers anticipated a number of wrestling from Gamrot, the struggle had all the pieces any fan may ask for. The Pole did have success together with his takedowns however struggled to carry Hooker down, resulting in a lot of the struggle being a putting battle that Hooker largely managed. Each males have been bloodied and bruised by its conclusion, having each been knocked down throughout the 15-minute affair.
Despite the fact that he’s a infamous wrestler, Gamrot confirmed enchancment in his putting, flattening Hooker within the first spherical with a counter proper hand. Nevertheless, the Kiwi was the fighter strolling ahead for a lot of the struggle whereas being liable for a lot of the main moments.
Hooker known as for a light-weight title eliminator after the win, telling Daniel Cormier in his post-fight interview that he desires “all the pieces” from a BMF title struggle to a different Combat of the Evening brawl.
Efficiency of the Evening: Kai Kara-France
Getting into UFC 305, it had been over one yr since Kai Kara-France had been within the UFC Octagon. Not solely was he coming off a protracted layoff however Kara-France had extra stress on him than most different fighters on Saturday night time as he appeared to finish a three-fight shedding streak.
He did extra than simply win, as Kara-France landed an enormous overhand left to drop Steve Erceg late within the first spherical, changing into the primary fighter to take action. He adopted up his knockdown with one other one in opposition to the fence simply seconds later, this time inflicting Erceg to cowl up and finish the struggle.
Kara-France turned the primary fighter to complete Erceg in his 15-fight profession, which features a title struggle with Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301. “Do not Blink” known as for a title struggle with Pantoja afterward and whereas that will not occur, his uncommon energy for a flyweight will at all times make him one of the vital thrilling fighters within the division.
Efficiency of the Evening: Carlos Prates
Carlos Prates has completed nothing however knock his opponents out over the previous 5 years however none have been extra spectacular than his masterful efficiency in opposition to Li Jingliang at UFC 305.
Whereas he entered the struggle as one of many largest betting favorites of the struggle card, the matchup was inarguably his hardest take a look at to this point with Jingliang being a former ranked contender.
Throughout his 28-fight profession, Jingliang had gained a popularity for being a deceptively fast striker with a sturdy chin. He had by no means been knocked out earlier than Saturday night time, making what Prates did to him so vital. Not solely did Prates knock him unconscious with a left hook however he unofficially put “The Leech” down 4 instances with two official knockdowns.
In opposition to a fighter who had by no means been knocked out earlier than UFC 305, Prates made Jingliang look as if he had no enterprise putting with him. Jingliang has been out-struck earlier than however by no means to that diploma, with practically each vital punch Prates landed visibly beautiful him and taking away his legs.
Prates isn’t the standard prospect to enter the UFC with excessive expectations as a 31-year-old veteran with six losses on his report. But when his efficiency at UFC 305 is any indication, he’s already probably the greatest strikers within the welterweight division and a serious title risk within the years to come back.