UFC 291 began with a bang, indeed. While most of the fans were waiting for the second showdown between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje for the BMF belt, the previous fights did not disappoint. However, the first fight in the preliminary card displayed the welterweight fighters, Jake Matthews and Darrius Flowers, in an all out war. However the fight ended with Matthews submitting Flowers with a rear-naked choke.

The fight began with the fighters showing phenomenal prowess. Flowers was the one to strike first following the touch of gloves, thereby sending the crowd into a frenzy. The two welterweights exchanged quite a few powerful blows. From hooks to elbows and strong liver shots, the first round had them all. But it was the next round that sparked a controversy. 

In the second round, Matthews reached out with a front high kick, but Flowers portrayed it to be a painful and illegal kick to the groin. He fell to his knees and dropped his head down. The referee had no choice but to call for a timeout and allow the fighter to rest a while. However, the replay showed that it was, in fact, a legal kick. Expectedly, the crowd was furious about it.

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Nevertheless, the act was short-lived. Within moments of recovery, the fighters clashed again—only this time, to finally conclude the fight. The duo began grappling, and Flowers, out of stamina, got himself trapped in an RNC. Matthews held strong, and within a few moments, Flowers had to tap out. However, the MMA world was focused on the groin kick.

MMA world reacts to Flowers’ defeat by submission at UFC 291

The entire world of mixed martial arts was amazed by the second round of the fight. One of the fans pointed out that Flowers got knocked out and submitted in the same round.

Another fan claimed that fighter had a weird career.

Furthermore, some fans focused on the fighter’s bouts and the finishes.

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One of the fans snidely remarked that Aljamain Sterling was impressed with Flowers’ acting.

Some of the fans agreed that the shot would have been painful, indeed. While Joe Rogan was unhappy with the decision, many fans seemed to disagree.

It was nothing short of an exciting bout. With controversies and submissions, the fight packed all the fun that the fans wanted.

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What are your thoughts about the fight? Did you anticipate a knockout or submission? Did the fight proceed as per your predictions? Let us know in the comments down below.