UFC Vegas 104 far exceeded the expectations of fight fans on Saturday night.
The card kicked off with Yuneisy Duben’s hype train being brutally derailed by a head kick from Carli Judice before Priscila Cachoeira vs Josiane Nunes ended in a scary faceplant knockout that frightened fans.
It’s the first time there has been back-to-back first-round knockouts in female UFC fights.
Every UFC Vegas 104 fight delivered, and Cody Gibson vs Da’Mon Blackshear was no different.
Da’Mon Blackshear taps out Cody Gibson
The fight began with Gibson pressing forward pursuing a takedown against the fence.
When that failed, the Ultimate Fighter 31 finalist unleashed a barrage of strikes that appeared to have Blackshear in trouble.
The favorite managed to survive and get his game going during a grappling exchange. Blackshear threatened with several choke attempts as he worked his way into the fight at the end of round one.
Gibson was covered in blood in round two. Blackshear battered him with punches from top position and continued chasing submissions before forcing the tap with a kimura.
Cody Gibson plans to quit his day job
Despite being a 32-fight veteran, who fights in MMA’s premier promotion, Gibson still has a day job.
The 37-year-old is a middle school teacher coming to the end of his career in the classroom.
“I was on the fence about teaching this year,” Gibson told Inside Fighting ahead of UFC Vegas 104.
“I decided to. I haven’t had to balance work, training, and home life in a while. This was my first one back where I was balancing it all, and this is hopefully the last time I’m gonna do it.
“In June, I’m gonna resign my position with the school, and focus on fighting.
“That gave me more motivation to power through. You realize it’s gonna kind of suck, you’re going to be really busy, and life is going to be challenging for a few months.
“Knowing this was the last time I have to do it gave me a little more juice.”