LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 08: (L-R) Opponents Jan Blachowicz of Poland and Magomed Ankalaev of Russia face off during the UFC 282 press conference at MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 08, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
UFC 282 is the final Pay-Per-View card for the promotion in 2022, and will see the vacant light heavyweight title on the line.
Unfolding Saturday, Dec. 10 in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena, in place of the injured Jiri Prochazka, who was to face Glover Teixeira in a rematch atop the card, Jan Blachowicz instead took on Magomed Ankalaev.
As a result of Prochazka vacating the belt, the winner would claim gold, and likely find themselves in a title fight against Teixeira next year.
The co-main event saw Liverpool star Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, meanwhile, in his toughest test yet against the gritty Jared Gordon. A slow build up to the fight by Pimblett’s standards, however, gave him time to reignite his feud with Ilia Topuria, who was booked against fellow undefeated featherweight Bryce Mitchell on Saturday.
UFC 282 airs live on PPV, with the main card kicking off at 10PM ET. Prelims get underway at 6:30PM, were the televised portion of the early card commencing at 8PM ET. Full results from the event can be found below; full recaps for each fight will be linked.
The six words every fight fan loves to hear, “LADIES & GENTLEMEN WE ARE LIVE!!!!”
[ @BruceBuffer | #UFC282 ] pic.twitter.com/AKXNlhTxHT— UFC (@ufc) December 10, 2022
Obi Won Shinobi the Pillow debuts against Cameron Saiiman
Yes, “Obi Won” not “Obi-Wan” according to Tapology. Bruce Buffer gets all the credit for not tripping over this introduction. Round one sees some fun grappling exchanges; “Shinobi” looks like a bit of a ninja on the ground — sneaky good. With Koslow taking the fight on short notice, however, gas tank might be a question moving on past the opening frame. He’d also never left the first round as a pro, something that changed on Saturday.
After exploding out of takedowns in round one, Saiiman tried to wall-walk in round two. Didn’t work, but he’d wind up in control anyway. The Contender Series winner started the night a solid favorite. He looked more like it in the second, but landed a brutally illegal knee on a downed Koslow with just over a minute in the round.
Ow #ufc282 pic.twitter.com/6UjmpP8Y8Q
— le s (@selma_aliane) December 10, 2022
“I’m not a little bitch, but that was f*cked up,” Koslaw can be overheard saying while recovering. Point gets deducted from Saiiman. Koslow opting not to take the easy way out, but didn’t seem to be 100% even after several minutes to recover.
Round three. More grappling. Saiiman takes the back but is too high up. Koslow looking exhausted, but manages to reverse and get on top. Ref warning them, “no fingers in the eyes.” If we get a low blow, we’ll have Bingo on our foul card. Saiiman gets the back again. Landing some decent GNP. Koslow tries to turn in, can’t. Gets up, gets lit up. Looking out on his feet. Not defending intelligently. Ref wants a body. Finally calls it. Saiiman with the TKO. Koslow’s corner actually tried to throw in the towel, but hit the side of the octagon.
UFC 282: Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev Results
Main Card
Jan Błachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev – for the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship
Paddy Pimblett vs. Jared Gordon
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Alex Morono
Darren Till vs. Dricus du Plessis
Bryce Mitchell vs. Ilia Topuria
Preliminary Card
Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Jay Perrin
Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Chris Daukaus
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dalcha Lungiambula
Chris Curtis vs. Joaquin Buckley
Early Preliminary Card
Billy Quarantillo vs. Alexander Hernandez
T.J. Brown vs. Erik Silva
Cameron Saaiman vs. Steven Koslow
