Ex-NFL star bashed as UFC finishes 2020 on a wild, violent note

The UFC has waved goodbye to 2020 with a violent final fight card in Las Vegas that featured plenty of incredible finishes and KOs.

Greg Hardy (right) was taught a lesson.

Several exhilarating finishes punctuated a wild UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas as the promotion signed off from 2020 in style.

Every judge scored a win for Stephen Thompson over Geoff Neal in the headline fight and veteran Jose Aldo called out TJ Dillashaw after toppling Marlon Vera via unanimous decision in the co-main event.

Thompson and Neal combined for a fitting end to the final card of the year, throwing their hands and beating each other to a pulp in a hugely entertaining fight.

Jimmy Flick started things off on a fiery note in the prelims by recording an incredible flying triangle submission.

Flick launched a head kick and even though Cody Durden caught it, Flick jumped up, trapped his opponent in a triangle choke, dragged him down to the floor and forced Durden to tap out.

“I just showed people that I can finish fights and that’s what I like to do,” Flick said after his 14th career submission from 20 fights.

"That looks like a young DC back in my day!"@dc_mma breaking down @jimmyflick's flying triangle is comedy 🤣 #UFCVegas17 pic.twitter.com/gwDlXFIfGx

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 19, 2020

Former NFL star Greg Hardy was put in his place by Marcin Tybura in the first fight of the main card, the heavyweight stoush ending courtesy of a second-round TKO.

Tybura took Hardy to the ground late in the second and unleashed a barrage of blows to the head as the ex-footballer looked completely at sea on his back.

The ground and pound continued and with Hardy showing no signs of being able to fight back, the referee had no choice but to jump in and wave the bout off.

“I knew in the first round it would be really hard to take him to the ground. He’s really strong and much bigger than me,” Tybura said.

“I needed to make him tired a little bit and take him down. The plan worked completely.”

Rob Font then annihilated Marlon Moraes with a first-round KO as he celebrated a return to the Octagon after a year out with his most impressive victory.

Font has been missing in action because of a knee injury but showed no rust as he nailed Moraes with a beautiful combination of punches to the head. He dealt with a head kick then followed up with a straight jab that sent Moraes tumbling backwards, before dropping his opponent with an uppercut.

Font had top position on the ground and unloaded with more punches, before an elbow knocked Moraes senseless and the fight was ended.

SCARY striking display by @RobSFont to finish Marlon Moraes 😱 #UFCVegas17 pic.twitter.com/TI1rqkH9s1

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 20, 2020

RESULTS

Main Card

Stephen Thompson defeated Geoff Neal via unanimous decision (50-45 x 3)

Jose Aldo defeated Marlon Vera via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)

Michel Pereira defeated Khaos Williams via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)

Rob Font defeated Marlon Moraes via TKO (R1, 3:47)

Marcin Tybura defeated Greg Hardy via TKO (R2, 4:31)

Preliminary Card

Anthony Pettis defeated Alex Morono via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)

Pannie Kianzad defeated Sijara Eubanks via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)

Deron Winn defeated Antonio Arroyo via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)

Taila Santos defeated Gillian Robertson via unanimous decision (30-26 x 2, 29-28)

Tafon Nchukwi defeated Jamie Pickett via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26 x 2)

Jimmy Flick defeated Cody Durden via submission (R1, 3:18)

Christos Giagos defeated Carlton Minus via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-28)