Tonight’s UFC Columbus main card featured a welterweight bout pitting hometown favorite Matt Brown against fellow brawler Bryan Barberena.
Brown (23-19 MMA) had most previously competed in June of 2021, where scored a sensational second round knockout over Dhiego Lima. That win had snapped a two-fight losing skid for the Ohio native, as ‘Immortal’ had previously suffered setbacks to Carlos Condit and Miguel Baeza.
As for Bryan Barberena (17-8 MMA), ‘Bam Bam’ had most recently competed in December of 2021, where he picked up a unanimous decision win over Darian Weeks. The win was preceded by a majority decision loss to Jason Witt.
Tonight’s welterweight bout proved to be an all out war. Matt Brown and Bryan Barberena left it all in the Octagon, much to the delight of the fans in attendance and watching around the globe. While Brown seemed to have the better success early on, it was ‘Bam Bam’ who rallied back strong in round three with a number of heavy punches. After three rounds of thrilling action, Barberena was awarded the split decision victory from the judges in attendance.
Official UFC Columbus Result: Bryan Barberena def. Matt Brown by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Brown vs. Barberena’ below:
Let’s go @IamTheImmortal @ufc
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) March 27, 2022
The legend @Markcolemanmma @ the Immortal's corner! Great!#UFCColumbus
— Charles 'DoBronxs' Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) March 27, 2022
https://twitter.com/LaurenMurphyMMA/status/1507885420171911168
These dudes are throwing down!! #Sinister! #UFCColumbus
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 27, 2022
This fight is so insane @ufc @IamTheImmortal @bryan_barberena
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) March 27, 2022
@IamTheImmortal Legend
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) March 27, 2022
The immortal!!! Matt Brown is a G
— Brandon (@brandonroyval) March 27, 2022
I feel like I’m watching Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin all over again!! #UFCColumbus #Sinister!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 27, 2022
Post-fight reactions to Bryan Barberena defeating Matt Brown by split decision at UFC Columbus:
https://twitter.com/LiLHeathenMMA/status/1507887891376074755
Fights like that are why I LOVE this sport.
— michael (@bisping) March 27, 2022
Porrada comeu!#UFCnoCombate
— Charles 'DoBronxs' Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) March 27, 2022
FOTY!!!#UFCColumbus
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) March 27, 2022
https://twitter.com/GilbertDurinho/status/1507888189519929344
https://twitter.com/Nikohybridprice/status/1507887861684658177
https://twitter.com/francis_ngannou/status/1507888535382102021
https://twitter.com/chitoveraUFC/status/1507887956534595585
https://twitter.com/Justin_Gaethje/status/1507888653124599808
Hats off for @IamTheImmortal for delivering such a great performance at 41.#UFCColumbus #Legend
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) March 27, 2022
Who would you like to see Bryan Barberena fight next following his victory over Matt Brown at tonight’s UFC Columbus event? Did you agree with the judges decision?