Islam Makhachev continues to be a force at lightweight. The Dagestani contender notched his eighth straight octagon win on Saturday with a fourth-round rear-naked choke over Thiago Moises in the main event of UFC Vegas 31. The dominating performance capped off a finish-filled main card that also saw former champion Miesha Tate return from a near five-year layoff with a third-round TKO of Marion Reneau.
Check out reaction from the pros to those fights and the rest of the main card below.
ISLAM MAKHACHEV DEF. THIAGO MOISES
High level grappling main event
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) July 18, 2021
These guys ain’t fighting like they’re on a main event #UFCVegas31
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) July 18, 2021
Moises needs something big. Makhachev running away with this very decisively. I did like that heel hook attempt from Moises tho but Islam is still strong and the fresher fighter. #UFCVegas31
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 18, 2021
Wow!! That finish makes a statement! #UFCVegas31
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 18, 2021
Welcome to the Islam era
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 18, 2021
Beautiful performance. Congrats to Islam!! #UFCVegas31
— The Golden Boy (@edmenshahbazyan) July 18, 2021
Islam!!!! Amazing! #UFCVegas31
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) July 18, 2021
Islam the truth future champ 100P
— Mike “Biggie” Rhodes (@TeamRocBiggie) July 18, 2021
Islam is a monster #UFCVegas31
— Vince Morales (@vandetta135) July 18, 2021
I think Gregor Gillespie matches up really well against Islam
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) July 18, 2021
MIESHA TATE DEF. MARION RENEAU
I wonder if ronda is watching
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 18, 2021
THATS MY GIRL!!!!!! Let’s go @MieshaTate!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes yes YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!! #UFCVegas31
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) July 18, 2021
— Jocelyn J Lybarger (@mmajocelyn) July 18, 2021
Congrats @MieshaTate on a great comeback debut and congrats to @BelizeanBruiser on a great career! #UFCVegas31
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 18, 2021
— Frank Mir (@thefrankmir) July 18, 2021
Wow!!! Mama Tate is back in a strong way.
Congratulations @MieshaTate #UFCVegas31 pic.twitter.com/j11bA7Anom— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) July 18, 2021
LFG Tate! Things ya love to see #Inspiring
— Vinc Pichel (@FromHellPichel) July 18, 2021
Hey @MieshaTate if you want to fight again in November, I’m your huckleberry!
It would be an HONOUR to compete against you!
Congrats on your win tonight! @ufc— Jessy Jess (@missjessyjess) July 18, 2021
Good job @MieshaTate #UFCVegas31
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) July 18, 2021
Also congrats to Marion on retirement! What a beast going this long #UFCVegas31
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) July 18, 2021
Tnx for the ride @BelizeanBruiser
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) July 18, 2021
Respect @BelizeanBruiser @ufc pic.twitter.com/jcZ2HULCdv
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) July 18, 2021
I am a fan of everything @BelizeanBruiser represents in this sport ❤️ congratulations on an amazing fight career and thank you for inspiring others with your story pic.twitter.com/3DK5Ca42Ex
— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) July 18, 2021
Congrats on a hell of a career Moe. You’re an inspiration to many in our town. Proud of you. Enjoy retirement https://t.co/ks8yAzf0Wh
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) July 18, 2021
What an inspiring speech!!!
Enjoy your retirement @BelizeanBruiser and good luck in your future endeavor #UFCVegas31— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) July 18, 2021
MATEUSZ GAMROT DEF. JEREMY STEPHENS
#primal #savage what that smell like? pic.twitter.com/3mBuH8hXMH
— Drakkar Klose (@drakkarklose) July 18, 2021
DOUBLE DAMN WRISTLOCK #UFCFightnight
— Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) July 18, 2021
“You will never get this”
-Gamrot #UFCFightnight— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) July 18, 2021
Told ya
— Bonecrusher ☠️ (@Marc_Diakiese) July 18, 2021
Beautifully executed strategy! #UFCVegas31
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 18, 2021
Y’all got @felderpaul insured right? Ol’ boy ain’t playin.
— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) July 18, 2021
Polish power at lightweight #UFCVegas31
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 18, 2021
I called the sub on my podcast #bullyknows pic.twitter.com/pNCuxB9Vvc
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 18, 2021
@LiLHeathenMMA pic.twitter.com/N44bvG2umc
— Drakkar Klose (@drakkarklose) July 18, 2021
Feel I let a lot of people down tonight. Not my best performance, congrats to Gamrot and his team. Hope to get a quick turn around to show the world once again what I’m made of.
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) July 18, 2021
RODOLFO VIEIRA DEF. DUSTIN STOLTZFUS
Being spoon fed a jab is never appetizing. Speaking from past experiences.
— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) July 18, 2021
2 round for Stoltzfus so far.#UFCVegas31 #UFC
— Natan Levy (@Levy_Natan) July 18, 2021
Couldn’t disagree with Bisping more. Some fighters need mental coaching.
— Din Thomas (@DinThomas) July 18, 2021
his coaches right now… “no I wasn’t nervous you were” pic.twitter.com/k4I8YRMeJR
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 18, 2021
Beautiful finish by Vieira!
He is evolving.#UFCVegas31— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) July 18, 2021
Great win by @rodolfovieira89 #UFCVegas31
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 18, 2021
Great adjustments from @RodolfoVieiraJJ congratulations on the win #UFCVegas31
— Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez (@Ilovebamf) July 18, 2021
That was an amazing sub! #ufcvegas31
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) July 18, 2021
BILLY QUARANTILLO DEF. GABRIEL BENITEZ
Fu*k yeah @BillyQMMA
— Julian Erosa (@juicyj_erosa) July 18, 2021
Potential fight of the night! Let’s go boyz #UFCVegas31 @ufc
— GIGA CHIKADZE (@giga_chikadze) July 18, 2021
Awesome round Billy Q #UFCVegas31
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) July 18, 2021
I love watching young fighters like @BillyQMMA grow from amateur to a gangsta UFC level fighter. #ufc
— Din Thomas (@DinThomas) July 18, 2021
Damn! Bloodbath! These guys are goin at it! #UFCVegas31 #
— Drakkar Klose (@drakkarklose) July 18, 2021
What a scrap!
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) July 18, 2021
Billy looks like he put muscle on
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 18, 2021
Beautiful job by Billy Q. Benitez is so tough! Man oh man that was fun to watch! #UFCVegas31
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) July 18, 2021
Billy sweet billy boy I knew you would go through
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) July 18, 2021
.Cornering fighters tonight in NJ from the team, but @BillyQMMA is pretty much on the team too! Damn! What a fight and what a way to push and get the finish!#UFCVegas31
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 18, 2021
Call my boy Billy Bonus!!!#UFCVegas31
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) July 18, 2021
I’m not impressed!#UFCVegas31
— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) July 18, 2021