UFC Fight Night 69 Results: Burning Questions Heading into UFC Fight Night 70
UFC Fight Night 69 is in the books. The results are as follows, courtesy of the one and only Craig Amos of Bleacher Report:
UFC Fight Night 69 Main Card on UFC Fight Pass
- Joanna Jedrzejczyk def. Jessica Penne, TKO (Round 3, 4:22)
- Tatsuya Kawajiri def. Dennis Siver, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Peter Sobotta def. Steve Kennedy, submission (Round 1, 2:57)
- Nick Hein def. Lukasz Sajewski, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Prelims on UFC Fight Pass
- Makwan Amirkhani def. Masio Fullen, submission (Round 1, 1:41)
- Mairbek Taisumov def. Alan Patrick, TKO (Round 2, 1:30)
- Arnold Allen def. Alan Omer, submission (Round 3, 1:41)
- Noad Lahat def. Niklas Backstrom, majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Scott Askham def. Antonio dos Santos Jr., TKO (Round 1, 2:52)
- Magomed Mustafaev def. Piotr Hallmann, TKO (Round 2, 3:24)
- Taylor Lapilus def. Yuta Sasaki, TKO (Round 2, 1:26)
Next up? The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 Finale on June 27.
What's that, you say? Visa issues have absolutely gutted this card? Oh, and both finals from TUF: Brazil 4 have been rescheduled, so now this is just a regular ol' Fight Night?
Well, then...
Either way, while the event has completely changed over the last few days, it still sports an excellent headliner in Lyoto Machida vs. Yoel Romero. That's enough all on its own, I say!
So what topics are worth discussing over the coming days? Read on!
How Will Steve Bosse Do in His UFC Debut?
1 of 4The Fight: Thiago Santos vs. Steve Bosse
The Real Fight: Steve Bosse vs. Not Fabio Maldonado
The Stakes
With one bang of the gavel, Steve Bosse went from fighting against Fabio Maldonado on the main card of a pay-per-view to facing Thiago Santos on the preliminary card of an off Fight Night. That's the breaks, though, and Bosse must make the most of the opportunity against the Brazilian striker.
The Question
How will Steve Bosse do in his UFC debut?
Analysis
Bosse may be a UFC fighter, but he has fought just once since 2011. Ring rust is an undeniable concern, and it is difficult to gauge how good he is today, no matter how many top prospect lists he may have appeared on in 2012.
That said, if he comes back in proper form, this fight with Santos is an intriguing one. Both men are scrappy finishers, and this is the most likely candidate to win Fight of the Night. Set some time aside for this one, folks.
Is Lorenz Larkin Making a Comeback?
2 of 4
The Fight: Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Lorenz Larkin
The Real Fight: Lorenz Larkin vs. Mr. My Name Is Hard to Spell
The Stakes
After losing to Derek Brunson at UFC 177, it seemed as though Lorenz Larkin's days as a UFC fighter were done. After Larken went 1-4 in his first five fights with the promotion, it was something of a surprise that the UFC even brought him back for a sixth fight.
Then he starched John Howard. Now, the kickboxer seeks to put together his first UFC winning streak at the expense of Santiago Ponzinibbio.
The Question
Is Lorenz Larkin making a comeback?
Analysis
Larkin felt like something of a lost cause after Brunson soundly defeated him at UFC 177. It's an ugly thing to say, of course, but the man had decisively lost three bouts in a row against less-than-scary competition. While the win over Howard didn't completely wipe away the memory of his ugly skid, it gave a tad bit of hope that maybe, just maybe, he has what it takes to contend in the UFC.
If he can beat Ponzinibbio, then he will finally start to feel like a legitimate player in the UFC.
Is Lyoto Machida Still a Top-Tier Middleweight?
3 of 4
The Fight: Lyoto Machida vs. Yoel Romero
The Real Fight: Lyoto Machida vs. Father Time
The Stakes
Losing two of three fights is never an ideal situation, but for Lyoto Machida it isn't just the fact that he is losing, it's the way he is losing. Against Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold, Machida didn't look like the man who once flustered the entire light heavyweight division.
He didn't look as crisp. He didn't look as nimble.
He looked...old.
While there's no debate that Machida has lost a step, there is plenty to discuss regarding where he stacks up in the middleweight division. His fight with Yoel Romero will be a great gauge for determining where the 2015 model of Machida rates among the crop of contenders.
The Question
Is Lyoto Machida still a top middleweight?
Analysis
There's not much else to say. This is a big fight for Machida, who finds himself in a tough spot after being mauled by Rockhold. If he wins, he will remain in the thick of the middleweight elite. If he loses, he will likely fade into the middle of the pack.
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Is Yoel Romero a Top-Tier Middleweight?
4 of 4
The Fight: Yoel Romero vs. Lyoto Machida
The Real Fight: Yoel Romero vs. Big Tests
The Stakes
With a hulking physique and an Olympic silver medal, Yoel Romero looks like a top-notch mixed martial artist both in the cage and on paper. Facing off with Lyoto Machida in the main event of Fight Night 70, however, he has the chance to go from "top-notch mixed martial artist" to "top contender of the middleweight division." If he can win, big things are almost certainly on the horizon for him.
The Question
Is Yoel Romero a top-tier middleweight?
Analysis
Once again, that about says it all. Romero has already proved to be a legitimate top-10 middleweight, and a win over Machida would show that he is deserving of a crack at the middleweight title. This is a big fight, folks!
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