WHAT WE LEARNED FROM UFC200

UFC 200 was billed as the biggest event in the company’s history, with five fights on the main card that were all good enough to main event a card in their own right.

The event did deliver the normal drama you would expect from a UFC live event.  Along with a multitude of talking points, questions answered and more questions created for a later date. However, I am not sure it actually lived up to the hype it promised…..Or did it?

But what did we learn from the main card of UFC 200?

The woman’s Bantamweight division is crazy

Amanda Nunes become the fourth woman to hold the UFC woman’s Bantamweight title since November as she blasted her way past Misha Tate. unexpectedly, she destroyed Tate in the first round with a devastating display of striking and punching power. She is now the only Brazilian on the roster to hold a UFC title.

Nobody really gave Nunes a chance. I also expected Tate to win, but the “Lioness” proved to be more than worthy as she decimated Tate in the first round. Nunes just couldn’t miss, as she constantly connected with hard shots to Tate’s face, before Nunes eventually choked her out for the victory. Amazingly only Rousey has defended the bantamweight title.

This division has now had the most new champions in the shortest amount of time. Four in eight months. I personally thought Tate was fortunate to claim the title from Holm, who was winning their fight and only had to see out the final round. But tiredness and inexperienced on the ground allowed Tate to drag her to the ground and choke her out.

It will now be interesting to see if Nunes can defend the title, which could be against the impressive Julianna Pena. Then there is the small matter of Ronda Rousey returning. Tate will still want another shot as would Holly Holm, not to mention other up and coming contenders. With all these connotations, you can see the woman’s Bantamweight division continuing to be as crazy as it has been in the past 8 months.

Brock Lesner is still a freak of nature

Amazingly, after 5 years away from the octagon. Brock Lesner returned to defeat a formidable opponent in Mark Hunt. Although it wasn’t the barnstorming slugfest most anticipated. Lesner showed  a new-found intelligence and craft in there to thwart Hunt, stay out of rang and score winning shots and take downs.

Though we all knew Lesner had freakish strength. What was more impressive was his stamina to last the three rounds, for such a mammoth of a man to move so well with that weight after being out for so long. He did understandably tire as the fight draw to a close, But throughout, his movement belied a man who had been out for so long and in the end deserved an impressive, hard-fought victory.

Daniel Cormier could be the unluckiest man in the UFC

Poor Cormier just can’t get a break. Couldn’t imagine how mentally draining it must have been to hear nemesis Jon Jones dramatically being pulled at days notice due to a doping violation. Then the man universally named as the GOAT Anderson Silva (though he is not the Silva of old) stepping in at the 11th hour to fight.

Cormier had to deal with the emotion of not being able to fight the one man he was so desperate to fight. To have to refocused at the last-minute , to fight a new opponent and not just any opponent, Anderson Silva.

To deal with that mentally, to me was understandable he didn’t perform fantastically, but he still got the victory. Given the circumstances he should be commended. But due to the performance, everyone hated on him and criticised him for it. Some had the audacity to say it was a mental loss for Cormier which is harsh considering he did nothing wrong.

Sadly, he was engulfed  by all the media attention on what Jones did and then Silva stepping in at the last-minute. To me Cormier, was the man most affected and had to deal with the most. But acted exemplary during it all and still fought and won. But sadly it seems nice gays finish last and he is just not getting the credit he really deserves.

Defeat has not defeated Aldo

Jose Aldo showed no ill effects to his crushing 13 second defeat to Connor McGregor in December. Against a tough opponent in Edgar, who himself has been on an impressive five fight winning streak since losing to Aldo in February 2013.

To me, Aldo looked strong, refocused and confident. Who after a tentative start, really found his range and striking ability from the second round on. He also demonstrated superb take down defence as he continually stuffed Edgar’s attempts.

The performance had to make everyone sit up and take notice. Including Mr McGregor who was on his feet throughout the fight, with a steely glare, fixated on the match up. He had to be impressed with the way Aldo looked against a credible opponent in Edgar. Aldo is now in interim featherweight champion and will be waiting for the McGregor rematch.

When fit, Cain Velasquez in the scariest man in the UFC

Cain Velasquez looked back to his old self as he impressively dispatched Travis Browne in the first round.

Valesquez pushed the pace throughout and delivered some telling blows to the 6ft 7inch Hawaiian fighter. Standing just 6ft 2 inches. Valesquez showed his ever improving game by even connecting with some spinning wheel kicks.

It was a vintage performance by Velasquez, who has battled with a series of injuries and at his own admission, stated he underestimated the altitude and acclimation time when he took on Werdum in Mexico City. This performance surely puts him back in the title picture and if this Velasquez stays fit, I can’t see anybody stopping him from regaining the UFC heavyweight title.

What was learned from the preliminaries ……..

Julianna Pena is ready for a title shot. After dominating Cat Zigano, who has defeated the current champ Nunes and former champ Tate. With a four fight winning streak and looking impressive with every fight, she must be close to getting a shot.

Kelvin Gastelum is the welterweight pass mark. A win or defeat against him tells a fighter where they are in the division. He defeated a lack luster Johny Hendricks who looked as though he’s been in one, too many wars and probably needs some time off.

T.J. Dillashaw proved he is still a force to be reckoned with at Bantamweight and will be on the title hunt. Sage Northcutt made his claim that at lightweight he can emerge as a force, if he keeps his head on his shoulders.

Joe Lauzon continued to prove his is the bonus winning king with another bonus of the night award, with his devastating first round victory over another who has been in one too many wars, Diego Sanchez. Another bonus winner Gegard Mousasi also impressed with his first round victory over Thiago Santos and not to be outdone Jim Miller got back to winning ways with a first round stoppage of Takanori Gomi.