10 Burning Questions Heading into UFC 194, TUF22 Finale and Fight Night 80
UFC Fight Night 79 is in the books. The results are as follows:
Main Card (Fight Pass)
- Benson Henderson def. Jorge Masvidal by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46)
- Dong-Hyun Kim def. Dominic Waters by TKO via punches at 3:11 of Round 1
- Alberto Mina def. Yoshihiro Akiyama by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Doo-Ho Choi def. Sam Sicilia by TKO via punches at 1:33 of Round 1
Preliminary Card (Fight Pass)
- Dongi Yang def. Jake Collier by TKO via punches at 1:50 of Round 2
- Mike de la Torre def. Yui-Chul Nam by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Tae-Hyun Bang def. Leo Kuntz by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Seo Hee Ham def. Cortney Casey by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Fredy Serrano def. Yao Zhikui by TKO via injury at 0:44 of Round 1
- Marco Beltran def. Ning Guangyou by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Dominique Steele def. Dong-Hyun Kim by TKO via slam at 0:37 of Round 3
Next up? The highly compelling UFC triple header.
With three cards lined up on back-to-back-to-back days, the UFC has successfully established UFC 194 as an MMA mega-event. Rose Namajunas vs. Paige VanZant headlines UFC Fight Night 80, followed by the Frankie Edgar vs. Chad Mendes-led TUF 22 Finale, culminating at UFC 194, headlined by the long-awaited Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor featherweight title fight.
There is plenty to talk about here, but we managed to condense it into just 10 scorching-hot questions. So what should you talk about over the next two weeks? Find out here!
Is There Something Shady Going on with the UFC's Booking?
1 of 10
Event: Fight Night 80
The Fight: Aljamain Sterling vs. Johny Eduardo
The Real Fight: The UFC vs. Certain Fighters?
The Stakes
Before Joanne Calderwood was replaced by Rose Namajunas in the Fight Night 80 main event, 135-pound star-in-the-making Aljamain Sterling was the highest-ranked fighter on the card...and not by a little. In spite of that, he was stuck in the middle of a less-than-stacked preliminary card of a Fight Pass event.
Needless to say...that begs the question of "why"?
The Question
Is there something shady going on with the UFC's booking?
Analysis
One moment, you're excited about stepping over a respected veteran and all the doors your newfound top-10 status might open. The next? You're hammered with a paycut due to the UFC's uniform deal with Reebok.
One moment, you're discussing this online. The next? You're stuck on the lower half of a card on Fight Pass.
Coincidence? Maybe. The UFC has historically disrespected the men's bantamweight division over the years, consistently sticking ranked talents on undercards.
A top-fiver, though? And not even putting lipstick on it with the whole "featured prelim" nonsense? That's new, and that's a tad suspicious.
Will Jeremy Stephens Show Everything Wrong with the UFC's Rejection of Managers?
2 of 10
Event: UFC 194
The Fight: Max Holloway vs. Jeremy Stephens
The Real Fight: Max Holloway vs. Running in Place
The Stakes
Once again, Max Holloway enters the cage with little to gain and everything to lose. It's not an unfamiliar position for him, but this time he steps in to face a dangerous veteran in Jeremy Stephens.
The Question
Will Jeremy Stephens show everything wrong with the UFC's rejection of managers?
Analysis
This was discussed back in August ahead of Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira, but everything I said there holds true here. One of the most important parts of being a manager in boxing is selecting which opponents your fighters face. It's a duty that is often underappreciated and often criticized, but it's a duty that leads fighters to big opportunities and bigger paydays, like what was seen shortly after Fight Night 79 where Tyson Fury defeated Wladimir Klitschko.
Holloway already has the resume to fight for the title today. A win over Stephens doesn't give him anything other than a paycheck and a stamp on his Reebok Sponsorship Club card. Worse yet, he doesn't make any more money by taking on a risky opponent in Stephens.
It's not a coincidence Conor McGregor was booked against favorable matchups and became the most anticipated opponent for Jose Aldo. It's also not a coincidence Holloway has been booked in unimportant fights and has largely been forgotten.
Can Gunnar Nelson Finally Make Good on the Hype?
3 of 10
Event: UFC 194
The Fight: Demian Maia vs. Gunnar Nelson
The Real Fight: Gunnar Nelson vs. Breakout Performances
The Stakes
Injuries and a poorly timed loss to Rick Story killed the hype surrounding Gunnar Nelson but the Icelandic grappler can repair all the damage done in the last 12 months at UFC 194. Set to face Demian Maia, he can make good on his past prospect status by beating the veteran BJJ player.
The Question
Can Gunnar Nelson finally make good on the hype?
Analysis
Nelson was Joe Rogan's main squeeze back in 2012. An amazing grappler who was quickly expanding his striking and wrestling repertoire, his potential was almost limitless. Then he missed most of 2013.
He returned with under-the-radar fights against Omari Akhmedov and Zack Cummings, but came out on the bad end of a split decision when facing Rick Story in 2014. While it wasn't a lopsided loss, it was a major setback for him nonetheless. A win over Maia, however, would set him right back on track and could push him straight into the top 10.
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Will Sage Northcutt Continue to Stand Out?
4 of 10
Event: Fight Night 80
The Fight: Sage Northcutt vs. Cody Pfister
The Real Fight: The UFC vs. Actually Evaluating Talent
The Stakes
The UFC likes how Sage Northcutt looks and, like a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, white-skinned Roman Reigns, they think that's more than enough to push him as one of the company's top stars. While it's been so far so good for Northcutt, however, it can't be stated enough that he is a 19-year-old with just six fights to his name. If he wants this gravy train to keep on rolling, he will need to post another big win over Cody Pfister.
The Question
Will Sage Northcutt continue to stand out?
Analysis
The UFC is trying to go full WWE these days, and not in a good way. The UFC is cherry-picking fighters based on their appearance and pushing them on that alone. Erick Silva, who got the same treatment, should have been a wakeup call for the UFC. Instead, they're doubling and tripling down on it with Paige VanZant (more on her later) and Sage Northcutt who, by the way, are on the main card over Aljamain Sterling.
Obviously, Northcutt isn't a fighter the UFC should be buying into especially hard. There is absolutely no reason to feel especially great about Northcutt's chances against Pfister (you can feel good about his chances...just not great) and it's too early to say he's the next big thing. They're rolling the dice on Northcutt, and it's totally on him to manufacture a return on that investment.
Who Is Next in Line at 185 Pounds?
5 of 10
Event: UFC 194
The Fight: Ronaldo Souza vs. Yoel Romero
The Real Fight: One of These Two vs. The Winner of Weidman vs. Rockhold
The Stakes
The UFC middleweight champion will be decided in the co-main event of UFC 194. The top contender will be decided earlier in the night by the interesting fight between Yoel Romero and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza.
The Question
Who is next in line at 185 pounds?
Analysis
Oh, this is a good one. Romero has established himself as one of the scariest 185-pounders in the sport with his physical wrestling and devastating hands. Souza might just be the most complete mixed martial artist in the division, demonstrating serious skills all over the cage.
This is an amazing fight, even if it weren't high stakes. Here's hoping it can live up to its potential.
Can Tony Ferguson Continue to Cruise?
6 of 10
Event: TUF22 Finale
The Fight: Edson Barboza vs. Tony Ferguson
The Real Fight: Tony Ferguson vs. The World
The Stakes
Tony Ferguson has been absolutely electric since missing about 18 months due to injuries. Already riding a killer six-fight winning streak, he has the chance to move right into title contention at the TUF 22 Finale by taking on Edson Barboza.
The Question
Can Tony Ferguson continue to cruise?
Analysis
Ferguson is one of the best in the business today. There's no denying it. His six-fight streak has seen him finish formidable veterans like Josh Thomson and Gleison Tibau and, with how the lightweight division has shaken out, there's a very real chance he is next in line for a shot at the winner of Rafael dos Anjos vs. Donald Cerrone.
That, of course, is assuming he can manage to get through Barboza. That's a big assumption, but Ferguson should be up to the task.
Which Top Middleweight Is as Good as They Seem?
7 of 10
Event: UFC 194
The Fight: Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold
The Real Fight: Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold
The Stakes
Chris Weidman is amazing. Luke Rockhold? Also amazing. This is the most compelling middleweight title fight in a long while, and the stakes don't need further explanation.
The Question
Which top middleweight is as good as they seem?
Analysis
Weidman and Rockhold are both, theoretically, perfect fighters. Both men represent the evolved forms of the styles that previously dominated MMA and both have largely seemed invincible over recent years.
There is so much to look forward to in this fight that it barely even needs to be sold. This one could be epic.
What Is the UFC Expecting out of Paige VanZant at This Point?
8 of 10
Event: Fight Night 80
The Fight: Rose Namajunas vs. Paige VanZant
The Real Fight: Rose Namajunas vs. The UFC
The Stakes
Paige VanZant is a fighter the UFC desperately wants to succeed, and they have set her up to do just that. Booked to face No. 3-ranked Rose Namajunas, PVZ could be set to trampoline into title contention with a win...which would most certainly end poorly.
The Question
What is the UFC expecting out of Paige VanZant at this point?
Analysis
VanZant is one of the UFC's most talked-about fighters, and that says a lot about how well the UFC has pushed her. By comparison, how much attention does Tecia Torres, who squashed her back in Invicta, get? How about Randa Markos, the one who beat Torres and finished Felice Herrig on TUF20? How about Carla Esparza, the division's first champion?
In the same way the UFC treated the women's bantamweight division as the Ronda Rousey Show, the UFC wants the strawweight division to be the Paige Program. The only trouble is that Paige isn't the champion, isn't a top-five fighter and, given the general lack of progress that was seen between her two most recent wins, may not be a top-five fighter for a long while.
Granted, if she beats Namajunas, she will be presented by the UFC as such. The UFC rankings has Namajunas ranked at No. 3 while, by comparison, she is on less-than-secure footing at No. 7 on the Bleacher Report rankings. Even if that does happen, though, what awaits her next? A rearranged face, courtesy of Joanna Jedrzejczyk?
That seems counterproductive, given how the UFC and/or Reebok value her appearance so much that they blocked her from shaving her head for children's cancer research.
Who Will Win the Battle of Featherweight Bridesmaids?
9 of 10
Event: TUF22 Finale
The Fight: Frankie Edgar vs. Chad Mendes
The Real Fight: Possible Next-in-Line vs. Likely Last-in-Line
The Stakes
Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes are both very good, but their career paths have run parallel for years. With the UFC featherweight title locked up for the foreseeable future, though, they have officially wandered into the same spot and must do battle with their continued relevance on the line.
The Question
Who will win the battle of featherweight bridesmaids?
Analysis
In terms of pure skills, it doesn't get much better than this. Edgar and Mendes are both in consideration at the pound-for-pound top-10 level and, because of how Jose Aldo's title reign has shaken out, it long felt like these two were destined to be kept apart forever.
But no more!
This is an incredibly interesting fight. While both men come from wrestling backgrounds, their styles are completely different. Edgar is slippery on his feet and has tricky, timing-based takedowns while Mendes punches and shoots like he is shot out of a cannon.
The winner of this fight gets to keep their title chances alive (more or less). The loser might want to consider dropping down to bantamweight.
Will Jose Aldo Rain on Everyone's Parade?
10 of 10
Event: UFC 194
The Fight: Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor
The Real Fight: Jose Aldo vs. the UFC
The Stakes
Conor McGregor is a bigger star now than ever before, and the only way for him to get bigger is to take Jose Aldo's belt. A McGregor title run is #BestForBusiness, and there would be high-fives aplenty at the UFC HQ if the Irishman became the unified featherweight champion. Aldo, however, is not going to roll over.
This is one of the most high-stakes bouts in recent memory for the UFC. Get excited.
The Question
Will Jose Aldo rain on everyone's parade?
Analysis
Does anything else need to be said? Aldo vs. McGregor! The fight everyone has been waiting for! The one that could be the last opportunity for the UFC to maintain the momentum it gained during 2015! The one that could throw Aldo's name into the GOAT discussion! Et cetera!
So much to talk about, but so little space. Get excited for Bleacher Report's coverage over the next two weeks.
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