While APEX events do not often bring a lot of attention to MMA fans, they have certainly delivered so far this year.
Especially, at UFC Vegas 108, two three-round wars received a fight of the night bonus.
These two particular fights were expected to be an entertaining watch, given their previous bouts.
After Saturday night, fans will expect to see them in front of sold-out crowds in their next wild battles.
Mateusz Rebecki vs Chris Duncan
The co-main event could only bring pleasure when Rebecki and Duncan would go head-to-head.
The Pole’s last fight was a gruelling contest with Myktybek Oralbai, winning by split decision in what was a Fight of the Year contender in 2024.
‘The Problem’ may not have had as long of a battle in his last bout, but he made his display look impressive with a second-round Guillotine Choke win against Jordan Vucenic at UFC London.
So it could only mean that fireworks were ready to be shown at the UFC APEX.
In this fierce Lightweight bout, the fight got more intense as the rounds went on.
Rebecki was more active in the first round, landing plenty of significant strikes as well as two takedowns.
The Gryfice-born fighter did land more in the second round, but Duncan was landing powerful shots, which were gradually tiring out his opponent.
Heading into the final round, both men landed a combined total of 97 significant strikes as their faces were left bloody and bruised.
After a brutal war, the Scotsman’s hand was raised, winning by unanimous decision.
Elves Brener vs Esteban Ribovics
While Brazil vs Argentina is often a good watch in Football, it’s just as satisfying when it happens in the Octagon.
Despite losing his last two fights, Brener has consistently shown how tough he was, almost lasting three rounds with Joel Alavarez before being knocked out at UFC Abu Dhabi.
Ribovics was part of one of the greatest wars with Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306 at the Sphere, just winning by split decision.
Before the fight was set to begin, fans predicted this would be an entertaining watch, and they were not wrong.
In this 155-pound all-out war, a combined total of 540 strikes were thrown inside the Octagon.
The first round saw ‘El Gringo’ pressure forward with multiple combinations, with the Brazilian doing enough to reply.
Brener came back more active in the second round, landing some interesting strikes, but the Argentine was stunning his opponent throughout those five minutes.
The final round witnessed the Chute Boxe fighter land some powerful punches and kicks, almost wobbling Ribovics.
But, the Tartagal-born mixed martial artist was landing more strikes, which is what ultimately won him the fight by unanimous decision.
Pro’s reaction to the Fights of the Night
With two stunning battles earning Fight of the Night bonuses, it was no surprise that current and retired fighters had to share their thoughts and praise on social media.
Some credited their teammates for the incredible wars, while others were just amazed at the performances at UFC Vegas 108.
Here are some of the reactions from the two consecutive Lightweight battles.
