Seattle delivered electric performances as the Octagon was alight with action at Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday night. The main card featured a series of stunning finishes, including a career-ending victory for Michael Chiesa, before Joe Pyfer closed the show with the biggest win of his career.
Pyfer’s Stunning Victory Over Adesanya
Joe Pyfer earned the biggest win of his career on Saturday night, stopping former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the second round.
The two men opted to go toe-to-toe in the second round, putting their defenses aside in order to trade blows. Pyfer stung Adesanya and wisely used it to dump him on the canvas, where he transitioned from mount to back mount, eventually flattening out “The Last Stylebender” and pounding out the finish.
This was the most complete showing of Pyfer’s career and the first main event victory for the Dana White’s Contender Series grad. He has now won four straight and could find himself in the Top 5 at middleweight when the rankings update next week.
Grasso Back in the Win Column
Alexa Grasso sparked Maycee Barber and then choked her out, collecting a statement win to steady herself in the Top 5 of the flyweight division.
As the two engaged in space, Grasso connected with a left hand in the heat of an exchange that twisted Barber around awkwardly. As she began to collapse to the canvas, Grasso quickly latched onto a rear-naked choke out of instinct; Barber was out and Grasso was back in the win column.
Grasso made quick work of Barber, halting her seven-fight winning streak with arguably the most impressive finish of the year. The former champion entered on a two-fight skid and having not earned a win since claiming the title at UFC 285. Those streaks are no more.
Chiesa Ends Career with Submission Win
Michael Chiesa wrapped up his career with a submission win over Niko Price at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle in front of family and friends.
Price actually initiated the grappling exchange, giving Chiesa the opportunity to get into his game. As the two came out of a scramble along the fence, Chiesa climbed onto Price’s back, navigating getting flipped onto his head to stay with him and secure the choke.
This was the fairytale ending to a storybook career for the 38-year-old from Spokane, Washington, who hung up his gloves on Saturday night.
UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs Pyfer took place Saturday, March 28, live from Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.