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UFC Vegas 122, The Morning After: UFC Prelims Or Rank Amateurs?

The UFC Vegas 122 prelims delivered a mixed bag of results, with some fights showcasing standout moments amid a broader sense of underwhelming competition. Alice Pereira dominated her bout against No.

15-ranked Darya Zheleznyakova, highlighting the event’s lone bright spot in the women’s Bantamweight division. However, other matchups fell flat, including Allen Frye Jr.’s first-round knockout of RJ Harris—a fight criticized for its lack of technical skill and conditioning, resembling more of a barroom brawl than elite MMA.

Brendson Ribeiro, known primarily as a kickboxer, secured a quick submission over Felipe Franco, a result that underscored the disconnect between his striking background and his UFC success through grappling finishes. Meanwhile, Niko Price’s second retirement attempt against Leon Shahbazyan further exposed the gap between past legends and current competition, with Shahbazyan failing to land a single punch in their two-fight history.

Ernesta Kareckaite and Melissa Gatto provided little to remember in their matchup, while the overall card left many questioning whether the UFC’s lower-tier events are truly serving as a proving ground for the sport’s best talent.

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