UFC 207 was built as the show where a superstar would return but by the time the waters subsided on Friday night in Las Vegas, MMA fans instead were also witnesses to the birth of a superstar.
On a card that started with a whimper yet ended with a bang, the last three bouts of what is now the final UFC event of 2016 certainly did not lack in compelling narratives. With the dust still settling, let’s examine the three major takeaways from the evening.
Nunes Retains Belt and Spoils Rousey’s Comeback with First Round Finish
T-Mobile Arena erupted when “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts hit and the biggest icon in women’s mixed martial arts stepped back into the octagon for the first time in over a year to compete for the women’s bantamweight title she put on the map.
In an onslaught that would last a mere 48 seconds, Amanda Nunes brutalized Ronda Rousey with superior boxing, hurting her early with punches that did not let up until the stoppage by referee Herb Dean.
Rousey’s (14-2) strategy was under heavy scrutiny in the wake of the main event. With her lack of striking talent being a glaring weakness exposed in her first loss to Holly Holm, many doubted the Rousey camp and coach Edmond Tarverdyan would resort to such a tactic again.
“I knew that her coach told her she had good striking so I knew she was going to try to punch with me,” Nunes said. “He put some crazy things in her head and her career started going down. I’m the real striker here.”
While Rousey’s shortcomings and the state of her career are sure to be the talking points on the immediate surface, it is ultimately the performance of Nunes (14-4) that represents not only a changing of the guard, but the end of an era.
She seems keen that the old era is never coming back.
“Now the division is getting interesting,” she said. “If they don’t want to promote me, that’s okay. I’ll just keep doing this.”
“I know these girls can’t take my punches, I know that. It happened tonight.”
Garbrandt Defeats Cruz with Breakout Performance to Capture Bantamweight Title
With tensions incredibly high and the disdain at a premium, Cody Garbrandt and Dominick Cruz waged war on each other for a full five rounds in a bout featuring just about everything a combat sports fan could think of; and then some.
Using his devastating striking prowess and an extremely confident approach, Garbrandt defeated Cruz via unanimous decision (48-46,48-47,48-46) in the co-main event of the night.
Like many expected, Garbrandt (11-0) came out of the gate swinging hard and aggressively, but as the fight rolled on, the new 135-pound champ would go on to beat Cruz at his own game of technical fighting.
The 25-year old Ohio native bombarded Cruz with shots throughout the bout, using hand speed and explosive power to stun the now-former champion. Rather than burning out early, Garbrandt remained efficient and methodical, hammering Cruz repeatedly which would result in a deep gash above his left eye. In addition, Garbrandt sent Cruz down to the mat on four different occasions, three of them coming in the fourth round alone.
“I knew Dominick was different, getting emotional,” he said. “I really got in his head and that showed. He fought emotionally.”
Cruz (22-2), who suffered his first loss in 13 contests, was humble and gracious in defeat, as he downplayed any rumors he was hurt or not acting himself.
“I was here, that was 100% me,” Cruz said. “I got caught in a couple of transitions and that’s how it goes in this game.”
“I’m not disappointed in myself at all. All I can say is I lost, and I’ll take my loss like a man.”
While Cruz’s legacy as an all-time great bantamweight is in no way tarnished by this defeat, the career of Cody “No Love” Garbrandt took off to new heights in the span of 25 minutes, while also culminating his stellar 2016 campaign.
“I went from unranked to crowned champion in the same calendar year. “It was great to go in there and fight one of the best in the world and do what I did.”
Dillashaw Outclasses Lineker, Immediately Re-Enters Title Conversation
On a night where bantamweights racked up the headlines, yet another 135-pounder made a major statement with a convincing victory as TJ Dillashaw defeated John Lineker via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26).
Utilizing perfectly timed takedowns and his raw athleticism, Dillashaw put on a clinic against the knockout-savvy Lineker (29-8).
“It’s crazy to me how many people try to play his game and get into a slug fest with him,” Dillashaw said of the matchup. “I wanted to prove that just having toughness doesn’t get you the belt, you have to be smart and well-rounded.”
As he promised he would do earlier in the week, Dillashaw (14-3) voiced his opinion on his current status within the title picture after having his hand raised. While nothing is set is stone, it is hard to not picture the former Team Alpha Male member going after the gold now held by their new breakout star.
“They are going to play up the drama like crazy,” Dillashaw said. “He (Garbrandt) knows I’m going to bring it, he knows I’m tough, and he knows where I’m going to get him at.”
Via Brett Lawson
