UFC 224 went down tonight (Saturday, May 12, 2018) from the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The night was headlined by a women’s bantamweight title tilt between champion Amanda Nunes and challenger Raquel Pennington. The challenger hung tough for the better part of five rounds, but she was ultimately outgunned by the champion. After steadily dismantling Pennington, Nunes got her out of there in the fifth round with a final volley of ground and pound. It was Nunes’ third successful title defense.
The co-headliner saw middleweight finishers Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Kelvin Gastelum go to battle. Gastelum had to survive an extended period beneath Jacare in the first, but he did so and came on strong over the final ten minutes. The Brazilian was exhausted after pursuing the finish, and the Arizonan capitalized by taking it to him. Jacare was still able to land hard and flush, but Gastelum was completely unfazed. Jacare, meanwhile, was very much the worse for wear. The young up-and-comer emerged with a hard-fought decision victory in enemy territory, perhaps the most significant of his career.
See how Twitter reacted to these pivotal matchups below:
It begins @Amanda_Leoa vs @RockyPMMA who you got? … @ufc
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) May 13, 2018
My prediction: Round 3 No Contest (Fighters realized they are in love with each other and refused to contnue)
— smoogy (@smoogymma) May 13, 2018
but the established couples are too good! 🙁
— Leg Kickin Tacos (@LegKickTKO) May 13, 2018
Defending her belt on Brazilian soil.
'The Lioness' – ???? @Amanda_Leoa #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/Bpmequ0k6o
— UFC (@ufc) May 13, 2018
nunes by however she wants
— pressley (@pressme) May 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/superCalo/status/995518773418315776
Amanda is whipping Rocky's leg's ass
— Leg Kickin Tacos (@LegKickTKO) May 13, 2018
The champ is in rare form tonight.@Amanda_Leoa #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/mrkFZ5Zpdp
— UFC (@ufc) May 13, 2018
Cyborg would wreck Nunes
— LORD HONKY HUMUNGUS (@Mr_Honky) May 13, 2018
i just dont think Pennington has a path to victory at this point… she just has to hope Nunes gasses out. #ufc224
— E. Casey Leydon (@ekc) May 13, 2018
Perfect example why you shouldn’t let a fighter continue if THEY say they’re done. #UFCRio
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) May 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/alex_scaffidi/status/995526859201789952
https://twitter.com/SecretMovesMMA/status/995528512978280451
Nunes: This was my hardest fight because I like these girls [Rocky & Tecia] so much. But when it comes to defending my belt, I have to do it. But we're going to go out and have a beer and celebrate our friendship.
I'm not crying, you're crying#UFC224
— Sherdog by Mandatory (@sherdogdotcom) May 13, 2018
Coaches should throw that towel…sad
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) May 13, 2018
Respect & friendship between two competitors.
???? @Amanda_Leoa & @RockyPMMA #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/6MMnfTnB6M
— UFC (@ufc) May 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/ScottHarrisMMA/status/995529577169608705
I don’t know… it’s not always about winning the fight. Sometimes it’s literally only about not quitting. Sometimes that IS the fight.
I’m not saying it’s right, I’m just saying that there’s a LOT of regret associated with quitting… those are moments you never get back.— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) May 13, 2018
Reminder: Jacare made alopecia tap.
— Eric Jackman (@NewYorkRic) May 13, 2018
Jacare time!!!! #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/RdCRMtmDdv
— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) May 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/ScottHarrisMMA/status/995509337421438976
Gastelum has been good to me as an underdog, but he allows people in on his hips too easily for me to pick him against Souza. Played “fight won’t see round 3” at -132 for 1.5 units. #UFC224 https://t.co/nNBzDCv8g8
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) May 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/jeremybotter/status/995509287379193856
WHAT A FIGHT. HOLY SHIT. #UFC224
— ????Big????Structural????Change (@Sugarhigh5me) May 13, 2018
Jacare won that third round. He looked like a zombie, but he landed more shots and scored a takedown.
— RJ Clifford (@RJcliffordMMA) May 13, 2018
In Brazil? Probably Jacare… #ufc224 pic.twitter.com/kmcbf0BjgL
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) May 13, 2018
@jordanbreen and I have spent the last 5 minutes on Skype screaming at Kelvin Gastelum to do something. #UFC224
— David Bixenspan (@davidbix) May 13, 2018
Very impressive takedown defense by Kelvin. #UFC224
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) May 13, 2018
Well that was a fight right there. Both guys had moments where they just decided that they weren’t going to lose. pic.twitter.com/p9aui7nNYj
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) May 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/ChuckMindenhall/status/995514576274972674
WHAT A FIGHT!!!
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) May 13, 2018
What a fight. Jacare gave everything. Gastelum was up to the test. R3 was teeter-totter. I think Gastelum landed enough in the third to win 29-28.
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) May 13, 2018
I thought Kelvin won…… no?
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) May 13, 2018
