Chiesa outgrapples Magny to extend win streak

No.8 ranked Michael Chiesa used his superior grappling over five rounds to beat Neil Magny in Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night headliner from Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Taking Magny down time after time, “The Maverick” Chiesa, who has improved his standup game, did well not to stay too long on the feet with Magny. In a fight which Chiesa won by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46), the 33-year-old wasn’t content with just keeping Magny there. He suffocated Magny and tried to find ways to batter Magny and try to finish him off. To Magny’s credit, he did survive though but lost the bout in the end.

The win pushed Chiesa’s (18-4) winning streak to four. Most fighters who won on the show didn’t call out who they wanted next. Chiesa made it clear who he wanted next.

“If I wasn’t able to push through five rounds, I can’t even talk about being a champion,” Chiesa said in his post-fight interview. “With that being said, the election is over: Colby Covington, your schtick is done. I want you next, boy!”

ALVES STOPS LAZZEZ: In the co-main bout, Warlley Alves kicked his way on to a stoppage win over Mounir Lazzez, winning by TKO at 2:35 of the very first round.

Alves came out with a stinging right hand at the very beginning of the bout, letting Lazzez know that he needed to respect his power as well. After telling body kicks, which Lazzez failed to block, Alves switched things up with a takedown, demonstrating that he had all the tricks in the Octagon.

A body kick by Alves stunned Lazzez which was followed by two more that send Lazzez crumbling to the canvas. A couple of punches by Alves and referee Herb Dean had to step in to stop the fight.

VILLANUEVA KOS MOREIRA: In another fight, Ike Villanueva defeated Vinicius Moreira by knockout at 0:39 of the second round. The end came after Villanueva connected with a nice body shot. Moreira threw a kick but Villanueva punished him with an overhand right from his waist to knock Moreira out at the point of impact.

The win -- which was 14 wins via knockout -- was a much needed one for Villanueva after losing back-to-back fights to get his first UFC victory.

ARAJUO BATTERS MODAFFERI:

In the fight featuring women fighters, Viviane Arajuo won her fight with ease over Roxanne Modafferi, registering a decision win.

Araujo controlled every aspect of the fight, outgunning Modafferi with hard shots on the feet and then dominating the action on the ground. Her jab was on point, which helped set up her takedowns when she needed them.

UMAR CHOKES MOROZOV: The cousin of lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov picked up his first promotional win with a second-round rear naked choke submission of former M-1 Global champion Sergey Morozov.

The first round proved to be very competitive, although Nurmagomedov was able to show a well-rounded game with his strikes, takedowns and transitions. Morozov showed his heart and grit, landing some impressive strikes of his own and getting back to his feet after takedowns. Nurmagomedov landed a perfectly timed takedown and ended the first round on top.

The second round began with Nurmagomedov landing a lightning-fast head kick that had Morozov in big trouble. The 24-year-old smelled blood and looked to finish, but Morozov was able to hang in there. Once Nurmagomedov took his back standing, Morozov spent the remainder of the fight trying to defend the final submission attempt.