LI makes statement in the Garden State

(Atlantic City, NJ., April 22, 2018) – Long Island took over Atlantic City at UFC Fight Night 128 at Boardwalk Hall in New Jersey.  

With three Long Island natives fighting, Merab Dvalishvilli, Ryan LaFlare and Aljamain Sterling, two took home wins, (LaFlare and Sterling) while Dvalishvilli lost one of the more controversial fights in MMA history.

LaFlare and Sterling each won via unanimous decision against Alex Garcia and Brett Johns, respectively. Both scorecards showed the Long Island residents take home the 30-27 score on all three scorecards, as both fighters pressured their opponent and dominated from the opening bell to the last second.

LaFlare (14-2) and Sterling (15-3) each put their divisions on notice with their impressive performances, as they look to climb the rankings.

It was the Dvalishvilli fight that seemed to garner most of the attention. Dvalishvilli was winning on the scorecards as shown after the fight, however, it was ruled that he was unconscious due to a choke seconds after the final round ended.

Dvalishvilli, who lives in New Hyde Park, was stuck in a deep choke for the final 30 seconds after he spent most of the fight as the attacker. As the final bell rang, he survived the choke, but fell backwards as doctors surrounded him, which ultimatley led to a Ricky Simon TKO victory in a very controversial ending.

Had the fight gone to the scorecards, Dvalishvilli would have won by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).

In other news, Long Island native, and former welterweight champion, Matt Serra, was named to the UFC Hall of Fame. After his upset over Georges St-Pierre in 2007, Serra cemented his name in the UFC world with the biggest upset in UFC history. Now, later this year, he will be enshrined with the best in the sport.

MMA Long Island Magazine is published by MMA New York Media Corporation. For more information please visit www.mmalongislandmagazine.com or call (516) 318-2418.

Photo credit: MMAjunkie