On a card that looked slightly underwhelming on paper, we got some truly incredible moments. The Brazilians at the top of the card both triumphed, and on the grand return to Vancouver the Canadians all picked up wins.

Before the weekend, there was a lot of discussions around legacy and GOAT conversations, applying to both fighters in the UFC 288 main event. In the end, the champion Aljamain Sterling had his hand raised, and cemented his place amongst the greatest at 135lbs.

One man silenced the critics and made it clear that he’s far from done, whilst his opponent showed he belongs amongst the elite at 145lbs

For the first time in 20 years, the UFC are back in Miami, Florida. A grudge match between middleweight champion Alex Pereira and former champion Israel Adesanya is set to headline the card, while Gilbert Burns takes on Miami Native Jorge Masvidal in the co-main event. A couple of fight of the night contenders takes place on the main card as well, with Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez and Kevin Holland vs Santiago Ponzinibbio, while 18 years old sensation Raul Rosas jr. opens up the main card against Christian Rodriguez.

For the first time since Michael Bisping defeated Dan Henderson in Manchester at UFC 204, a British champion will defend a UFC title on home soil. Leon Edwards became just the second ever UFC champion from the UK when he landed the greatest headkick ever (sorry, Holly Holm) to dethrone pound for pound number 1 Kamaru Usman in Salt Lake City last August, and now he puts the belt on the line in London against the same man who is looking to take back what was once his.

For the first time since before the 2020 lockdown the UFC are back in Brazil, or more specifically Rio de Janeiro. UFC FN: Lee v Oliveira in Brasilia was the last event before the world locked down because of the pandemic, but because it was behind locked doors this will be the first time since UFC 237: Namajunas v Andrade that fans will be in attendance for a UFC event in Brazil.

Wow, just wow. That might have been the best event of the year, or at the very least the best PPV. London in March could probably rival it, but the fact that 281 was incredibly stacked on paper, and also delivered in abundance might just edge it for me. Two new champions, 11 finishes in 14 fights, devastating KOs and fight of the year contenders, what more could you want?