LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 15: (L-R) Da’Mon Blackshear punches Cody Gibson in a bantamweight struggle through the UFC Battle Night time occasion at UFC APEX on March 15, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Bantamweight Da’Mon Blackshear is likely to be greatest identified for touchdown one of many few Tornado submissions in UFC historical past, however he was additionally coming off a Efficiency of the Night time victory over Cody Stamann when he took on one other Cody, TUF finalist Cody Gibson, at UFC Vegas 104.
Blackshear’s final two fights had resulted in post-fight bonuses, whereas Gibson had gained his final two, sans bonuses.
Gibson began out on hearth threatening a takedown try whereas touchdown stable pictures within the clinch. Gibson landed an enormous proper hand excessive that pressured Blackshear to cowl up. After consuming a number of punches to the physique Blackshear was in a position to defend in opposition to a takedown close to the fence. Blackshear labored again to the middle of the octagon as each fighters landed low leg kicks. Gibson crashed ahead searching for a takedown however Blackshear was threatening a guillotine choke. Blackshear reversed place and ended up in high management. After a sluggish begin to the spherical, Blackshear appeared super along with his submission makes an attempt close to the top of the opening 5 minutes. Spherical one was extremely aggressive, with wild grappling exchanges and quick tempo motion on the toes.
Within the second, Blackshear pressed ahead and landed a jab and kick to the physique. Gibson tried to get the struggle within the clinch and landed an elbow on the break. Two left hooks from Gibson acquired the eye of Blackshear on the within. Gibson was doing his greatest work from the clinch touchdown a number of pictures to the top earlier than securing a takedown. Blackshear once more reversed place and ended up on high with three minutes left within the spherical. In full management on the bottom, Blackshear had a big benefit in his jiu-jitsu sport. Working to the crucifix place, Blackshear landed damaging elbows earlier than grabbing the arm of Cody Gibson. Damon secured a Kimura on the bottom and cranked the arm of Gibson forcing a faucet out. The Kill Cliff FC product earned his eleventh profession win by submission, profitable his second struggle within the a row.
In his put up struggle interview with Michael Bisping, Blackshear mentioned the he knew he would have a grappling benefit within the struggle and was not shocked how the struggle transpired. He didn’t specify on who he needs to face subsequent, however the bantamweight division is stacked with doubtlessly entertaining matchups for Blackshear on the horizon.
Official Outcome: Da’Mon Blackshear def. Cody Gibson by submission (kimura), Spherical 2, 4:09
