UFC 194 Results: 5 Burning Questions Heading into UFC on Fox 17
UFC 194 is in the books. The results are as follows (h/t Craig Amos):
UFC 194 Main Card
- Conor McGregor def. Jose Aldo, knockout (Round 1, 0:13)
- Luke Rockhold def. Chris Weidman, TKO (Round 4, 3:12)
- Yoel Romero def. Ronaldo Souza, split decision (29-27, 28-29, 29-28)
- Demian Maia def. Gunnar Nelson, unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25)
- Max Holloway def. Jeremy Stephens, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Prelims on FS1
- Urijah Faber def. Frankie Saenz, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Tecia Torres def. Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Warlley Alves def. Colby Covington, submission (Round 1, 1:26)
- Leonardo Santos def. Kevin Lee, TKO (Round 1, 3:26)
Prelims on UFC Fight Pass
- Magomed Mustafaev def. Joe Proctor, TKO (Round 1, 1:54)
- Yancy Medeiros def. John Makdessi, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Court McGee def. Marcio Alexandre, unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Next up? UFC on Fox 17.
While it lacks the star power of UFC 194, this is still a downright excellent card from top to bottom. Top-10 names can be found up and down the lineup and the main event, a lightweight title fight between Rafael dos Anjos and Donald Cerrone, is almost guaranteed fireworks.
So, get ready for some questions.
Can Myles Jury Kick Down the Doors to the Featherweight Top 10?
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The Fight: Charles Oliveira vs. Myles Jury
The Real Fight: Myles Jury vs. Easy Weight Cuts
The Stakes
Myles Jury was a top-10 name at 155 pounds and surprised many by announcing he was dropping down to 145. His debut comes against Charles Oliveira, and it will determine whether Jury is crazy...or crazy like a fox.
The Question
Can Myles Jury kick down the doors to the featherweight top 10?
Analysis
The wild nature of changing weight classes doesn't need to be looked at in-depth. Sometimes, guys move down and hope the newfound size and strength advantage will help them in the long-term. Sometimes, they go down, lose too much cardio and can't compete with faster opponents.
What makes Jury's move particularly strange is how successful he was at 155 pounds. Jury is 6-1 in his UFC career and owns a big win over Michael Johnson. While his last fight was a tough loss to Donald Cerrone, he is still potentially lined up for big things.
If he doesn't lose much to the cut, he could easily make a strong run at 145. But that is a very big "if."
Will Randa Markos Rain on the Karolina Kowalkiewicz Parade?
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The Fight: Randa Markos vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz
The Real Fight: Randa Markos vs. The UFC
The Stakes
Randa Markos, at long last, returns to the cage. Unfortunately, she has the unenviable task of facing undefeated KSW alum Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Given how the UFC has actively ignored Markos, she has to make the most of this opportunity against her Polish foe.
The Question
Will Randa Markos rain on the Kowalkiewicz parade?
Analysis
What the UFC has done with Markos is unjustifiable. Markos should be a promoter's dream. She has the skills and size to compete with the best in the world, she's attractive (which, unfortunately, remains highly important in promoting women's MMA) and she has an amazing life story.
All of those things were on display when Markos posted one of the greatest underdog runs in the history of The Ultimate Fighter by defeating then-top-three strawweight Tecia Torres and then submitting Felice Herrig with a crossface armbreaker.
That should have made her a major player in the division, but the UFC deemed she didn't have whatever "it factor" the promotion saw in Paige VanZant or Sage Northcutt and basically forgot about her. Now, the UFC is dusting her off for the debut of Kowalkiewicz, and it's on her to try and force the promotion to change its plans for her.
Will Nate Diaz Return to Form?
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The Fight: Michael Johnson vs. Nate Diaz
The Real Fight: Nate Diaz vs. The UFC
The Stakes
Nate Diaz is back again. After sitting out most of 2014 due to a contract dispute with the UFC, Diaz sat out all of 2015 for...some reason. He remains a big name and an interesting talent, but he needs to defeat Michael Johnson if he wants to get back on track as a title contender.
The Question
Will Nate Diaz return to form?
Analysis
After being told he's "not a needle-mover," Diaz is poised for yet another prominent fight on yet another big card. Somebody's pants are on fire.
Jokes aside, Diaz is in an interesting spot right now. The main event features Donald Cerrone challenging Rafael dos Anjos for his lightweight strap, but Diaz actually owns an uncomfortably one-sided win over Cerrone. If Diaz can beat the No. 5-ranked Michael Johnson, he will instantly return to the division's top 10, and if Cerrone beats dos Anjos, he might be right in line for a title shot.
Those are two big ifs for a fighter with just one fight in the last two years, though.
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Will Alistair Overeem Pull Off One of the Craziest Title Runs in UFC History?
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The Fight: Junior Dos Santos vs. Alistair Overeem
The Real Fight: Alistair Overeem vs. The UFC
The Stakes
After entering "biggest bust in UFC history" territory after losing to Ben Rothwell in 2014, Overeem has broken off two big wins and restored his name value. With Junior Dos Santos in front of him and a win over UFC heavyweight champ Fabricio Werdum already in his pocket, however, he might just be in perfect position for a title shot.
The Question
Will Alistair Overeem pull off one of the craziest title runs in UFC history?
Analysis
Dos Santos has long been a lottery ticket to a heavyweight title shot. If somebody can beat him (which probably won't happen), then ka-ching. What makes this particularly interesting, though, is how completely undercut Overeem has been since entering the UFC.
Granted, a lot of this has been his own doing. Failing a drug test and nixing a title fight is not a good way to get fans or promoters on your side. Neither is blatantly disrespecting opponents (at least when you lose to them) or ruining title fights in other divisions.
Still, Overeem is an underdog at this point in his career, and it's getting harder and harder not to root for him. If he beat Dos Santos and sets up a rubber match with Werdum, it's possible that Overeem will go from dud to champion within two years.
Will Rafael dos Anjos Give the UFC What It Wants?
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The Fight: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Donald Cerrone
The Real Fight: Rafael dos Anjos vs. The UFC
The Stakes
Rafael dos Anjos is finally set to defend his lightweight title. His opponent? The UFC's handpicked star, Donald Cerrone. The UFC would like nothing more than to start its 2016 with a Cowboy championship reign, but dos Anjos will obviously be looking to ruin those plans.
The Question
Will Rafael dos Anjos give the UFC what it wants?
Analysis
One of the most obvious ways the UFC plays favorites with its fighters is that it gives preferred stars matches and leaves the rest hanging.
Urijah Faber was fast-tracked to a rematch with box-office stinker Renan Barao by getting four fights in 2013. Sage Northcutt vs. Cody Pfister was announced just two weeks after Northcutt's debut win over Francisco Trevino.
Cerrone is in the same boat, and his four fights in 2014 and three fights in the first half of 2015 helped wash the stink of his 2013 loss to dos Anjos off to the point that a rematch for the title is palatable.
The UFC has put a lot of effort into setting up this fight, and it will be most displeased if dos Anjos doesn't drop the belt. Add in Conor McGregor's desire to move up to 155 pounds and challenge for the title, and things start to get very interesting from a business perspective.
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