Nate Landwehr vs David Onama – UFC on ESPN 41

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Published on October 16, 2026 by administrator

The co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Vera vs. Cruz on August 13, 2022, featured a featherweight clash between Nate Landwehr and David Onama that became an instant classic. Nate Landwehr won the bout via majority decision (29–27, 29–27, 28–28). The encounter was widely regarded as one of the wildest and most entertaining fights of 2022, ultimately earning Fight of the Night honors.

Round-by-Round Description

  • Round 1: Onama’s Early Dominance
    David Onama started strong, using his two-inch reach advantage to find a home for his straight right hands and hooks. Early in the frame, Onama caught Landwehr with a heavy counter right hook followed by a big knee, dropping him to the canvas. Landwehr was visibly hurt and briefly appeared unconscious from a looping right hand, but his immense grit allowed him to stay alive, survive the follow-up ground-and-pound, and make it to the end of the round.
  • Round 2: “The Train” Takes Control
    The momentum shifted completely as Onama began to show extreme fatigue, having accepted the bout on just three weeks’ notice. Landwehr, known for his relentless cardio, pressed forward aggressively. He battered Onama with heavy right hands, elbows, and a barrage of knees to the face that dropped the Ugandan fighter. Landwehr advanced to dominant positions on the ground, transitioning through side control, mount, and taking Onama’s back. He attempted multiple submissions—including an anaconda choke and a guillotine—but Onama somehow survived the round.
  • The final round was total theater.  Fully in control, Landwehr began showboating by waving his arms to fire up the San Diego crowd and talking to Onama. On Reddit, fans had mixed opinions about this, with some praising it as legendary entertainment while others criticized it as poor fight IQ that let an exhausted Onama off the hook. Landwehr repeatedly let Onama stand up instead of pursuing a ground finish. Despite his exhaustion, Onama showed remarkable heart, digging deep in the final 15 seconds to drop Landwehr one last time during a frantic, closing swing-for-the-fences exchange.

Both fighters survived to the final bell, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd for an unforgettable 15-minute war.

Nate Landwehr Videos

David Onama Videos

 

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