The Good, Bad and Strange from UFC 199
The Good, Bad and Strange from UFC 199
There is nothing better in combat sports than a heated feud and UFC 199 was full of them.The main event between middleweight champion Luke Rockhold and Mich
There is nothing better in combat sports than a heated feud and UFC 199 was full of them.
The main event between middleweight champion Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping may have had an abbreviated build up due to “The Count” stepping in for an injured Chris Weidman on two week’s notice, but that didn’t stop the brash Brit from bringing the heat in the time he had.
Rockhold and Bisping launched verbal jabs and taunts at one another in a fashion that nearly made fight fans forget the former Strikeforce king turned UFC titleholder had steamrolled Bisping once before. Nevertheless, Saturday night in Los Angeles marked a fresh slate, and represented the long awaited championship opportunity many thought would never materialize for Bisping.
The Ultimate Fighter winner swore he’d make the most of the moment, and he absolutely did.
In one of the craziest turns in recent memory Bisping stepped up on 17-day notice and scored a first-round knockout over Rockhold to become the middleweight champion. Rockhold was scoring with ease throwing strikes from distance, but Bisping caught the champion with an overhand left that put the Santa Cruz native on the mat. Rockhold scrambled to get back to his feet but another flush shot from Bisping brought an abrupt end to the fight.
For a man who seemed as if he'd never get the UFC title he'd always dreamed about, it was a fitting turn at UFC 199.
Although the main event had some tension in the lead up, the co-main event tilt between Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber was as certifiable as can be found in the beef department. “The Dominator” and the former WEC poster boy have disliked one another for the better part of a decade, and their two previous meetings inside the cage only served to elevate their mutual disdain.
Both men came into UFC 199 owning a win over the other, and their collision at The Forum would bring an end to their trilogy. Faber promised he would put Cruz away, while the reigning 135-pound champion assured “The California Kid” his run as bantamweight titleholder would continue, and it would be Cruz who proved prophetic.
Cruz baffled Faber with his sporadic footwork and tagged the Team Alpha Male leader with big shots from range. The champion put Faber on the deck with a big shot from range in the second and never looked back as he cruised (no pun) to the unanimous decision victory on the judges' scorecards. Cruz never technically lost the title when he was stripped back in 2014, but his win over Faber will stand as the first successful defense in his second reign atop the 135-pound division.
Not only was it an insane night of action in the cage, the UFC also announced the return of Brock Lesnar and confirmed the rematch between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor for UFC 202. Grab some water and a towel and let’s take a look at the good, bad and strange from UFC 199.
Michael Bisping is the new middleweight champion. Let that sink in.
Despite being one of the grittiest fighters on the 185-pound roster, "The Count" had never been able to capitalize when the biggest opportunities were presented. That said, Bisping hung tough, continued to scrap his way through the ranks, and when the chance to face Luke Rockhold on just north of two weeks' notice he jumped on it.
Few outside of Bisping believed he could win, but that's exactly what he did at UFC 199.
The hard-charging Englishman shocked the world by scoring a first round knockout over Rockhold on Saturday night. It was a crisp performance, and one that will add the definitive chapter to Bisping's storied career. Prior to UFC 199 Bisping was the fighter who could never get over the proverbial hump, but at The Forum in Los Angeles, he didn't just clear that hump...he leapt over it to reach the mountain top.
Bisping's championship victory is an incredible story for a fighter who truly never gave up on chasing the ultimate dream.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/davedoylemma/status/739317795356168192" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Dominick Cruz says ring rust isn't real, and there is no reason to believe "The Dominator" doesn't know what he's talking about.
The former and current bantamweight king outclassed rival Urijah Faber en route to a lopsided victory Saturday night at UFC 199. It was the first time Cruz had competed twice in a calendar year since 2011, and furthered the comeback that began with his win over T.J. Dillashaw at Fight Night 81 back in January. On that night in Boston Cruz reclaimed the gold that was stripped from him in 2014, and at UFC 199, he put a definitive stamp on a rivalry that has been cooking for the better part of a decade.
Faber handed Cruz the only loss of his professional career under the WEC banner back in 2007, and that moment served as a turning point in the Team Alliance leader's career. He's won all 13 of his fights since suffering that setback, but more importantly, has overcome tremendous ruts created by injuries he's suffered in training.
Plain and simple: Cruz is an incredible champion and the one true king of the bantamweight division.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/SubmissionAus/status/739311964585758720" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Max Holloway has undoubtedly proven he's one of the best featherweights on the planet.
"Blessed" came into his bout with Ricardo Lamas at UFC 199 riding an eight-fight winning streak and hovering within striking distance of a potential title opportunity. "The Bully" was looking to play the role of spoiler and derail the young Hawaiian's rise, but Holloway wasn't about to let that happen.
For three rounds Holloway stalked Lamas and pegged the Chicago native with combination after combination. To Lamas' credit he was certainly game, but it wasn't enough to stop Holloway from picking up his ninth consecutive victory inside the Octagon. The 24-year-old has shown improvements every step of his climb up the featherweight ranks, and the final 10 seconds of the bout with Lamas proved he's down to throw hands with anyone in the division.
Unfortunately for Holloway, the current state of affairs in the 145-pound title picture is an absolute mess, and will likely keep him on the shelf waiting for an opportunity for quite some time. Frankie Edgar and Jose Aldo square off for the interim title at UFC 200, with the winner likely set to face champion Conor McGregor later this year.
On the other hand, if sources close to FloCombat are right and McGregor doesn't have any intention of returning to 145, Holloway very well could face the winner of Edgar vs. Aldo before 2016 comes to a close. The only thing for certain is that Holloway has done more than enough to earn a crack at UFC gold.
Dan Henderson was a legend before UFC 199, but he may have elevated himself to deity status after Saturday night.
The 45-year-old former Pride two-divisional champion put on one of the most resilient performances of an already rock-strong career when he came back from nearly being knocked out in the opening round to knockout Hector Lombard in the second frame. Henderson was on the proverbial ropes after eating heavy left hands from Lombard and was in survival mode going into the second.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/Sholler_UFC/status/739288835318788097" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Henderson came out measured, but it was an unorthodox attack that got the job done. Lombard caught a Henderson kick, but "Hendo" unleashed a reverse elbow that sent the Cuban judoka crashing lifeless to the canvas. In signature Henderson fashion he added two more stiff elbows for good measure and the crowd at The Forum went absolutely bonkers.
In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan the former Olympian said this fight may be his last, and if that is the case, Henderson "Eastwood" can ride off into the sunset as one of the baddest gunslingers to have ever done it.
Dustin Poirier is tearing up the lightweight division.
The 27-year-old has been on a tear since coming back to 155-pounds, and he'll leave Los Angeles with even more momentum as he earned a first-round knockout over Bobby Green on Saturday night. Poirier met the "King" in the center of the cage, and made the seasoned veteran pay for his trash-talking antics by putting Green on the canvas.
Although rocked, Green did his best to keep his poker face, but Poirier's power was simply too much. Poirier was patient as stalked a wounded Green against the cage then put the California native down with a left hand to the temple. Before Green could recover Poirier added a hard right to finish things off, and picked up his fourth-straight win as a lightweight in the process.
In his post-fight interview Poirier let his emotions fly as he demanded big fights, and there's absolutely zero reason he shouldn't get one in his next outing.
It was experience vs. youth when Clay Guida stepped in against Brian Ortega at UFC 199, and it looked like the elder fighter was fitting to get the job done on Saturday.
Training with Team Alpha Male paid off in a big way as Guida put on one of the sharpest striking performances of his storied career. Guida's movement and crisp punches put Ortega on his heels in the early going, and his forward pressure allowed him to dictate the action through the opening two rounds. Ortega would close the gap a bit in the final frame, but it seemed as if he was going to run out of time.
That was until Ortega landed a perfectly timed knee as Guida ducked in to shoot that brought an abrupt end to the action.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/HeidiFang/status/739274395265306624" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Ortega snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as he earned the TKO victory over Guida in the final 20 seconds of the fight. With the win, Ortega keeps his undefeated record intact and picked up his third win inside the Octagon.
And while Guida was handed a loss at UFC 199, the Chicago native proved he can still hang with anyone they put in front of him inside the Octagon.
Beneil Dariush was eager to erase the defeat hanging over his head from his last showing inside the Octagon, and James Vick paid the price.
The rising lightweight standout had his five-fight winning streak snapped by Michael Chiesa at UFC on Fox 19 back in April, and wanted to get back into the win column in quick fashion. He faced undefeated striker James Vick at UFC 199, and put his aggression on full display from the jump as battered "The Executioner" with heavy shots early and often.
The bout seemed as if it would be stopped on multiple occasions, but Vick's chin hung tough as he ate huge punches from Dariush against the cage. That said, Vick's grit would eventually deplete as a clean punch from Dariush folded him to the canvas late in the opening round. With the win Dariush has now found success in six of his last seven outings.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/LynchOnSports/status/739265087060516864" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
When fighters change weight classes they are looking for a fresh start, and Jessica Andrade has found a new home in the strawweight division.
The scrappy Brazilian had been competing as a bantamweight under the UFC banner for the better part of three years before making the decision to drop down to the 115-pound fold. It didn't take long for Andrade to prove it was where she belonged as the 24-year-old absolutely lit up former title challenger Jessica Penne from the opening bell.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/spilledbagofice/status/739257187852124162" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Andrade set the tempo early by blasting Penne with bombs and ripping away at her body with combinations that put the Californian on the run. Penne barely survived the opening round, but she wouldn't make it through the second as Andrade pounded out the stoppage victory. It was a punishing performance from Andrade and one that launch her up the strawweight divisional ladder.
In the age of top-heavy fight cards it is a rare thing to have the opening bout on the preliminary portion of the event bring the ruckus, but that's what happened at UFC 199.
Marco Polo Reyes and Dong Hyun Kim kicked the action off in brutal fashion with a hard-fought back-and-forth display of fisticuffs. Both men had their moments and imposed their respective wills, but it was Reyes who ultimately put a punctuation on his performance. The Mexico native dropped Kim with a crisp right hand before putting two more on his chin for good measure to secure the victory.
And while Kim will have a loss tacked onto his record, the fight with Reyes will certainly raise his stock in the bigger picture.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/DwayneWolff1/status/739225583243124738" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
There is no doubt Urijah Faber will leave a lasting legacy after his time in MMA has come to an end. Unfortunately for "The California Kid" his resume won't have "UFC champion" attached to it.
The Team Alpha Male leader has built a storied career inside the cage, but his inability to claim the ultimate goal of a UFC title will certainly haunt him. Faber came into his trilogy bout with Dominick Cruz at UFC 199 having burned turned back in his three previous title attempts inside the Octagon, and "The Dominator" made stamped a fourth failed effort to his record.
While Faber started off with confidence and secured an early takedown, Cruz's movement and precision broke through in the second round and turned the tide. Cruz dropped Faber with a big shot and dominated until the final bell sounded. Although Cruz put on an incredible performance, Faber's showing was a far stretch from how he's looked in recent bouts against elite-level competition.
Speaking with Joe Rogan after the bout Faber alluded to retirement, but wasn't willing to take a firm step in that direction. Nevertheless, should Faber call it a career after UFC 199, he'll be remembered as one of the best fighters to have ever competed in the lighter weight classes. He'll also be remembered for never winning a UFC title, which is an unfortunate stigma for a man who did so much for the sport.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/Patrick_Wyman/status/739309812207505408" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
The UFC has been a rough stage for Hector Lombard.
The Cuban born knockout artist rose to prominence on the strength of a four-year stretch where he earned 24-straight victories without suffering a defeat. During that run Lombard dominated the Bellator ranks as he held the promotion's middleweight crown and obliterated all competition set before him.
That dominance has not transitioned to the sport's biggest stage.
Since entering the UFC in 2012, the American Top Team representative has found victory in only three of his eight showings inside the Octagon. Those mixed results have led to Lombard jumping weight classes on three occasions, and his bout against Dan Henderson at UFC 199 marked his return to the 185-pound ranks. It was a must win situation for Lombard, and it looked as if he was about to get the job done in the opening round.
Lombard rocked Henderson with a left hand as "Hendo" swarmed in on a flurry, then dropped the California native a second time with another big shot against the cage. Henderson seemed as if he wouldn't survive the first round, but the resilient 45-year-old showed his mettle by getting out of the frame.
Victory appeared to be one punch away for Lombard, but a reverse elbow thrown by Henderson in the pocket brought an abrupt halt to the night for the muscular judoka. It was a stunning end to an action-packed fight, but it was a result Lombard couldn't afford to have.
He simply hasn't panned out to be the title contender many figured he would be in the UFC, and it's difficult to tell what the future holds where Lombard is concerned. His knockout power will most likely allow him one more go inside the Octagon, but his loss at UFC 199 very well could be his final showing in the UFC as well.
The UFC has big plans for Fight Pass and have started to set card lineup's according to those plans.
Last week's featured bout between Aljamain Sterling and Bryan Caraway was a strong look for the digital network, and Saturday night's fight between highly touted prospects Tom Breese and Sean Strickland was figured to keep that momentum rolling.
It did not.
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When there are two technical fighters squaring off inside the Octagon things can turn somewhat stale, and that's precisely what happened between Strickland and Breese. While it was a closely contested affair, and one that saw Strickland emerge victorious via razor-thin split decision, the fight simply didn't have the impact most figured it would.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/TheBMartin/status/739244732866400260" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
And speaking of Aljamain Sterling, it seems like announcer Mike Goldberg struggled with his name on Saturday night.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/MikeJBknows/status/739261432097734656" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Ending things on a somber note the world lost the man recognized as the greatest fighter of all time on Saturday night as Muhammad Ali passed away. The three-time heavyweight champion was more than just a boxing phenom, but a cultural figure who transcended sports as he battled standards and obstacles throughout his remarkable life.
Ali undoubtedly inspired many fighters to pursue a career in combat sports, and a tribute on Saturday night's card for UFC 199 was undoubtedly fitting. Furthermore, as fate would have it, the late boxing great's son-in-law Kevin Casey was slated to compete at the event as he faced Elvis Mutapcic on the Fight Pass portion of the event.
That's a strange tie-in if there ever was one, and it only got more so from there.
Casey would dominate the majority of the opening two rounds as he took Mutapcic down and put his vaunted ground game to use. Yet, the Gracie jiu-jitsu representative wasn't able to finish on the canvas, and Mutapcic returned to his feet to commence a beatdown. Mutapcic battered Casey for the final seven minutes of the fight, but when the final bell sounded it appeared Casey would escape with a victory by the most narrow of margins.
That wasn't the case.
The judges' scorecards yielded a split-draw and the two fighters with the same nickname were forced to leave the Octagon on a push. That said, before they were allowed to leave, the promotional truck sent Joe Rogan in to get a few words from Casey on the passing of his father-in-law. Casey, although exhausted, shared a few poignant words, but the entire thing felt slightly off in the moment. And it didn't stop there.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/SMuehlhausenMMA/status/739233475606290436" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Much like the previous 15 minutes before hand, Mutapcic wasn't about to be outdone as he used his microphone time to dedicate his performance to Muhammad Ali--the fighter who inspired him as a kid. Mutapcic went on to repeat this another time or two while the expression on Rogan's face signaled all he wanted to do was leave the Octagon.
The entire situation was a weird experience that just didn't seem to work out to the well-intentioned plans that put that train in motion.
On the other hand, the Ali tribute on FS1 was remarkable. Job well done.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/UFCONFOX/status/739245180369281025" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
R.I.P. Champ. You shook up the world.
The main event between middleweight champion Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping may have had an abbreviated build up due to “The Count” stepping in for an injured Chris Weidman on two week’s notice, but that didn’t stop the brash Brit from bringing the heat in the time he had.
Rockhold and Bisping launched verbal jabs and taunts at one another in a fashion that nearly made fight fans forget the former Strikeforce king turned UFC titleholder had steamrolled Bisping once before. Nevertheless, Saturday night in Los Angeles marked a fresh slate, and represented the long awaited championship opportunity many thought would never materialize for Bisping.
The Ultimate Fighter winner swore he’d make the most of the moment, and he absolutely did.
In one of the craziest turns in recent memory Bisping stepped up on 17-day notice and scored a first-round knockout over Rockhold to become the middleweight champion. Rockhold was scoring with ease throwing strikes from distance, but Bisping caught the champion with an overhand left that put the Santa Cruz native on the mat. Rockhold scrambled to get back to his feet but another flush shot from Bisping brought an abrupt end to the fight.
For a man who seemed as if he'd never get the UFC title he'd always dreamed about, it was a fitting turn at UFC 199.
Although the main event had some tension in the lead up, the co-main event tilt between Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber was as certifiable as can be found in the beef department. “The Dominator” and the former WEC poster boy have disliked one another for the better part of a decade, and their two previous meetings inside the cage only served to elevate their mutual disdain.
Both men came into UFC 199 owning a win over the other, and their collision at The Forum would bring an end to their trilogy. Faber promised he would put Cruz away, while the reigning 135-pound champion assured “The California Kid” his run as bantamweight titleholder would continue, and it would be Cruz who proved prophetic.
Cruz baffled Faber with his sporadic footwork and tagged the Team Alpha Male leader with big shots from range. The champion put Faber on the deck with a big shot from range in the second and never looked back as he cruised (no pun) to the unanimous decision victory on the judges' scorecards. Cruz never technically lost the title when he was stripped back in 2014, but his win over Faber will stand as the first successful defense in his second reign atop the 135-pound division.
Not only was it an insane night of action in the cage, the UFC also announced the return of Brock Lesnar and confirmed the rematch between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor for UFC 202. Grab some water and a towel and let’s take a look at the good, bad and strange from UFC 199.
The Good
Michael Bisping is the new middleweight champion. Let that sink in.
Despite being one of the grittiest fighters on the 185-pound roster, "The Count" had never been able to capitalize when the biggest opportunities were presented. That said, Bisping hung tough, continued to scrap his way through the ranks, and when the chance to face Luke Rockhold on just north of two weeks' notice he jumped on it.
Few outside of Bisping believed he could win, but that's exactly what he did at UFC 199.
The hard-charging Englishman shocked the world by scoring a first round knockout over Rockhold on Saturday night. It was a crisp performance, and one that will add the definitive chapter to Bisping's storied career. Prior to UFC 199 Bisping was the fighter who could never get over the proverbial hump, but at The Forum in Los Angeles, he didn't just clear that hump...he leapt over it to reach the mountain top.
Bisping's championship victory is an incredible story for a fighter who truly never gave up on chasing the ultimate dream.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/davedoylemma/status/739317795356168192" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Dominick Cruz says ring rust isn't real, and there is no reason to believe "The Dominator" doesn't know what he's talking about.
The former and current bantamweight king outclassed rival Urijah Faber en route to a lopsided victory Saturday night at UFC 199. It was the first time Cruz had competed twice in a calendar year since 2011, and furthered the comeback that began with his win over T.J. Dillashaw at Fight Night 81 back in January. On that night in Boston Cruz reclaimed the gold that was stripped from him in 2014, and at UFC 199, he put a definitive stamp on a rivalry that has been cooking for the better part of a decade.
Faber handed Cruz the only loss of his professional career under the WEC banner back in 2007, and that moment served as a turning point in the Team Alliance leader's career. He's won all 13 of his fights since suffering that setback, but more importantly, has overcome tremendous ruts created by injuries he's suffered in training.
Plain and simple: Cruz is an incredible champion and the one true king of the bantamweight division.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/SubmissionAus/status/739311964585758720" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Max Holloway has undoubtedly proven he's one of the best featherweights on the planet.
"Blessed" came into his bout with Ricardo Lamas at UFC 199 riding an eight-fight winning streak and hovering within striking distance of a potential title opportunity. "The Bully" was looking to play the role of spoiler and derail the young Hawaiian's rise, but Holloway wasn't about to let that happen.
For three rounds Holloway stalked Lamas and pegged the Chicago native with combination after combination. To Lamas' credit he was certainly game, but it wasn't enough to stop Holloway from picking up his ninth consecutive victory inside the Octagon. The 24-year-old has shown improvements every step of his climb up the featherweight ranks, and the final 10 seconds of the bout with Lamas proved he's down to throw hands with anyone in the division.
Unfortunately for Holloway, the current state of affairs in the 145-pound title picture is an absolute mess, and will likely keep him on the shelf waiting for an opportunity for quite some time. Frankie Edgar and Jose Aldo square off for the interim title at UFC 200, with the winner likely set to face champion Conor McGregor later this year.
On the other hand, if sources close to FloCombat are right and McGregor doesn't have any intention of returning to 145, Holloway very well could face the winner of Edgar vs. Aldo before 2016 comes to a close. The only thing for certain is that Holloway has done more than enough to earn a crack at UFC gold.
Dan Henderson was a legend before UFC 199, but he may have elevated himself to deity status after Saturday night.
The 45-year-old former Pride two-divisional champion put on one of the most resilient performances of an already rock-strong career when he came back from nearly being knocked out in the opening round to knockout Hector Lombard in the second frame. Henderson was on the proverbial ropes after eating heavy left hands from Lombard and was in survival mode going into the second.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/Sholler_UFC/status/739288835318788097" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Henderson came out measured, but it was an unorthodox attack that got the job done. Lombard caught a Henderson kick, but "Hendo" unleashed a reverse elbow that sent the Cuban judoka crashing lifeless to the canvas. In signature Henderson fashion he added two more stiff elbows for good measure and the crowd at The Forum went absolutely bonkers.
In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan the former Olympian said this fight may be his last, and if that is the case, Henderson "Eastwood" can ride off into the sunset as one of the baddest gunslingers to have ever done it.
Dustin Poirier is tearing up the lightweight division.
The 27-year-old has been on a tear since coming back to 155-pounds, and he'll leave Los Angeles with even more momentum as he earned a first-round knockout over Bobby Green on Saturday night. Poirier met the "King" in the center of the cage, and made the seasoned veteran pay for his trash-talking antics by putting Green on the canvas.
Although rocked, Green did his best to keep his poker face, but Poirier's power was simply too much. Poirier was patient as stalked a wounded Green against the cage then put the California native down with a left hand to the temple. Before Green could recover Poirier added a hard right to finish things off, and picked up his fourth-straight win as a lightweight in the process.
In his post-fight interview Poirier let his emotions fly as he demanded big fights, and there's absolutely zero reason he shouldn't get one in his next outing.
It was experience vs. youth when Clay Guida stepped in against Brian Ortega at UFC 199, and it looked like the elder fighter was fitting to get the job done on Saturday.
Training with Team Alpha Male paid off in a big way as Guida put on one of the sharpest striking performances of his storied career. Guida's movement and crisp punches put Ortega on his heels in the early going, and his forward pressure allowed him to dictate the action through the opening two rounds. Ortega would close the gap a bit in the final frame, but it seemed as if he was going to run out of time.
That was until Ortega landed a perfectly timed knee as Guida ducked in to shoot that brought an abrupt end to the action.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/HeidiFang/status/739274395265306624" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Ortega snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as he earned the TKO victory over Guida in the final 20 seconds of the fight. With the win, Ortega keeps his undefeated record intact and picked up his third win inside the Octagon.
And while Guida was handed a loss at UFC 199, the Chicago native proved he can still hang with anyone they put in front of him inside the Octagon.
Beneil Dariush was eager to erase the defeat hanging over his head from his last showing inside the Octagon, and James Vick paid the price.
The rising lightweight standout had his five-fight winning streak snapped by Michael Chiesa at UFC on Fox 19 back in April, and wanted to get back into the win column in quick fashion. He faced undefeated striker James Vick at UFC 199, and put his aggression on full display from the jump as battered "The Executioner" with heavy shots early and often.
The bout seemed as if it would be stopped on multiple occasions, but Vick's chin hung tough as he ate huge punches from Dariush against the cage. That said, Vick's grit would eventually deplete as a clean punch from Dariush folded him to the canvas late in the opening round. With the win Dariush has now found success in six of his last seven outings.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/LynchOnSports/status/739265087060516864" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
When fighters change weight classes they are looking for a fresh start, and Jessica Andrade has found a new home in the strawweight division.
The scrappy Brazilian had been competing as a bantamweight under the UFC banner for the better part of three years before making the decision to drop down to the 115-pound fold. It didn't take long for Andrade to prove it was where she belonged as the 24-year-old absolutely lit up former title challenger Jessica Penne from the opening bell.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/spilledbagofice/status/739257187852124162" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Andrade set the tempo early by blasting Penne with bombs and ripping away at her body with combinations that put the Californian on the run. Penne barely survived the opening round, but she wouldn't make it through the second as Andrade pounded out the stoppage victory. It was a punishing performance from Andrade and one that launch her up the strawweight divisional ladder.
In the age of top-heavy fight cards it is a rare thing to have the opening bout on the preliminary portion of the event bring the ruckus, but that's what happened at UFC 199.
Marco Polo Reyes and Dong Hyun Kim kicked the action off in brutal fashion with a hard-fought back-and-forth display of fisticuffs. Both men had their moments and imposed their respective wills, but it was Reyes who ultimately put a punctuation on his performance. The Mexico native dropped Kim with a crisp right hand before putting two more on his chin for good measure to secure the victory.
And while Kim will have a loss tacked onto his record, the fight with Reyes will certainly raise his stock in the bigger picture.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/DwayneWolff1/status/739225583243124738" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
The Bad
There is no doubt Urijah Faber will leave a lasting legacy after his time in MMA has come to an end. Unfortunately for "The California Kid" his resume won't have "UFC champion" attached to it.
The Team Alpha Male leader has built a storied career inside the cage, but his inability to claim the ultimate goal of a UFC title will certainly haunt him. Faber came into his trilogy bout with Dominick Cruz at UFC 199 having burned turned back in his three previous title attempts inside the Octagon, and "The Dominator" made stamped a fourth failed effort to his record.
While Faber started off with confidence and secured an early takedown, Cruz's movement and precision broke through in the second round and turned the tide. Cruz dropped Faber with a big shot and dominated until the final bell sounded. Although Cruz put on an incredible performance, Faber's showing was a far stretch from how he's looked in recent bouts against elite-level competition.
Speaking with Joe Rogan after the bout Faber alluded to retirement, but wasn't willing to take a firm step in that direction. Nevertheless, should Faber call it a career after UFC 199, he'll be remembered as one of the best fighters to have ever competed in the lighter weight classes. He'll also be remembered for never winning a UFC title, which is an unfortunate stigma for a man who did so much for the sport.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/Patrick_Wyman/status/739309812207505408" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
The UFC has been a rough stage for Hector Lombard.
The Cuban born knockout artist rose to prominence on the strength of a four-year stretch where he earned 24-straight victories without suffering a defeat. During that run Lombard dominated the Bellator ranks as he held the promotion's middleweight crown and obliterated all competition set before him.
That dominance has not transitioned to the sport's biggest stage.
Since entering the UFC in 2012, the American Top Team representative has found victory in only three of his eight showings inside the Octagon. Those mixed results have led to Lombard jumping weight classes on three occasions, and his bout against Dan Henderson at UFC 199 marked his return to the 185-pound ranks. It was a must win situation for Lombard, and it looked as if he was about to get the job done in the opening round.
Lombard rocked Henderson with a left hand as "Hendo" swarmed in on a flurry, then dropped the California native a second time with another big shot against the cage. Henderson seemed as if he wouldn't survive the first round, but the resilient 45-year-old showed his mettle by getting out of the frame.
Victory appeared to be one punch away for Lombard, but a reverse elbow thrown by Henderson in the pocket brought an abrupt halt to the night for the muscular judoka. It was a stunning end to an action-packed fight, but it was a result Lombard couldn't afford to have.
He simply hasn't panned out to be the title contender many figured he would be in the UFC, and it's difficult to tell what the future holds where Lombard is concerned. His knockout power will most likely allow him one more go inside the Octagon, but his loss at UFC 199 very well could be his final showing in the UFC as well.
The UFC has big plans for Fight Pass and have started to set card lineup's according to those plans.
Last week's featured bout between Aljamain Sterling and Bryan Caraway was a strong look for the digital network, and Saturday night's fight between highly touted prospects Tom Breese and Sean Strickland was figured to keep that momentum rolling.
It did not.
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When there are two technical fighters squaring off inside the Octagon things can turn somewhat stale, and that's precisely what happened between Strickland and Breese. While it was a closely contested affair, and one that saw Strickland emerge victorious via razor-thin split decision, the fight simply didn't have the impact most figured it would.
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And speaking of Aljamain Sterling, it seems like announcer Mike Goldberg struggled with his name on Saturday night.
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The Strange
Ending things on a somber note the world lost the man recognized as the greatest fighter of all time on Saturday night as Muhammad Ali passed away. The three-time heavyweight champion was more than just a boxing phenom, but a cultural figure who transcended sports as he battled standards and obstacles throughout his remarkable life.
Ali undoubtedly inspired many fighters to pursue a career in combat sports, and a tribute on Saturday night's card for UFC 199 was undoubtedly fitting. Furthermore, as fate would have it, the late boxing great's son-in-law Kevin Casey was slated to compete at the event as he faced Elvis Mutapcic on the Fight Pass portion of the event.
That's a strange tie-in if there ever was one, and it only got more so from there.
Casey would dominate the majority of the opening two rounds as he took Mutapcic down and put his vaunted ground game to use. Yet, the Gracie jiu-jitsu representative wasn't able to finish on the canvas, and Mutapcic returned to his feet to commence a beatdown. Mutapcic battered Casey for the final seven minutes of the fight, but when the final bell sounded it appeared Casey would escape with a victory by the most narrow of margins.
That wasn't the case.
The judges' scorecards yielded a split-draw and the two fighters with the same nickname were forced to leave the Octagon on a push. That said, before they were allowed to leave, the promotional truck sent Joe Rogan in to get a few words from Casey on the passing of his father-in-law. Casey, although exhausted, shared a few poignant words, but the entire thing felt slightly off in the moment. And it didn't stop there.
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Much like the previous 15 minutes before hand, Mutapcic wasn't about to be outdone as he used his microphone time to dedicate his performance to Muhammad Ali--the fighter who inspired him as a kid. Mutapcic went on to repeat this another time or two while the expression on Rogan's face signaled all he wanted to do was leave the Octagon.
The entire situation was a weird experience that just didn't seem to work out to the well-intentioned plans that put that train in motion.
On the other hand, the Ali tribute on FS1 was remarkable. Job well done.
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R.I.P. Champ. You shook up the world.