UFC Vegas 113 left a trail of drama and controversy in its wake, with two fighters hospitalized and a 37-fight veteran spitting blood at his opponent in a shocking display of resilience—or perhaps recklessness. But here's where it gets controversial: while some fighters are celebrated for their longevity, others are facing calls to retire. Is it time for beloved veterans to hang up the gloves, or is there still fight left in them?
Saturday night’s event was a mixed bag for seasoned competitors. While 47-year-old Andrei Arlovski, affectionately known as ‘The Pitbull,’ defied the odds to claim the BKFC heavyweight title—earning praise from none other than Conor McGregor—another UFC veteran faced a brutal knockout loss that left fans pleading for his retirement. Niko Price, despite suffering his sixth knockout, avoided hospitalization, but the same couldn’t be said for Alex Morono and Julius Walker, who underwent precautionary scans after their grueling bouts.
And this is the part most people miss: Morono, in his 24th Octagon appearance, absorbed 100 significant strikes before losing a unanimous decision to Daniil Donchenko. The fight was so brutal that Morono was seen spitting blood at his opponent—a grim reminder of the physical toll this sport demands. Meanwhile, Walker was transported to the hospital for a CT scan after being stopped for the first time in his career. These precautionary measures are common, but they raise questions about fighter safety and when enough is enough.
Only two fighters earned $25,000 finish bonuses from Dana White, with Dustin Jacoby standing out after stopping Walker in the second round. Jacoby’s performance even caught the eye of Alex Pereira, who campaigned for his former kickboxing rival to enter the rankings. But the night wasn’t without its controversies. Donchenko, who secured a win over Morono, admitted he was too focused on earning a bonus, revealing, ‘I was thinking about the money a lot, and I will not because now I have.’ Is the pursuit of bonuses compromising fighter strategy and safety?
As we reflect on the event, a thought-provoking question emerges: Which UFC legend had the worst final run in the promotion? Was it a fighter who stayed too long, or one who couldn’t adapt to the evolving sport? Comment below with your pick and reasoning—let’s spark a debate!
In other news, a beloved MMA veteran with 43 losses scored a rare victory in BKFC after an outlandish ‘Burger King’ walkout, proving that sometimes, the underdog still has a bite. And in a surprising twist, Anthony Joshua has a counter-offer for Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s famous Dagestan training invitation. What does this mean for the future of combat sports?
What’s your take? Are fighters like Morono and Arlovski inspiring figures of resilience, or are they risking too much? Should the UFC do more to protect its veterans? Share your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear from you!
