UFC 197 Results: 5 Burning Questions Heading into Fight Night 87

UFC 197 is in the books. The results are as follows:

UFC 197 Main Card

• Jon Jones def. Ovince Saint Preux, unanimous decision (50-44, 50-45, 50-45)
• Demetrious Johnson def. Henry Cejudo, TKO (Round 1, 2:49)
• Edson Barboza def. Anthony Pettis, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Robert Whittaker def. Rafael Natal, unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Yair Rodriguez def. Andre Fili, knockout (Round 2, 2:15)

Prelims on Fox Sports 1

• Sergio Pettis def. Chris Kelades, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Danny Roberts def. Dominique Steele, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Carla Esparza  def. Juliana Lima, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• James Vick def. Glaico Franca, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Prelims on UFC Fight Pass 

• Walt Harris def. Cody East, TKO (Round 1, 4:18)
• Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Clint Hester, submission (Round 1, 4:35)
• Kevin Lee def. Efrain Escudero, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Next up? UFC Fight Night 87 on Sunday, May 8.

The UFC is finally going to the Netherlands, and it picked the right man to headline the card: Alistair Overeem. He will face Andrei Arlovski in a fight that could vault him into a title shot opposite the winner of UFC 198's Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic. Past that is a pileup of exciting talent, including fan favorites Kyoji Horiguchi and Nikita Krylov alongside a number of ranked names.

There is plenty to talk about, but what topics are the hottest? Find out right here.

How Good Will the New-Look Kyoji Horiguchi Be?

John Locher/Associated Press

The Fight: Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Neil Seery
The Real Fight: Before vs. After

The Stakes

Kyoji Horiguchi is already one of the best flyweights on the planet, but there's even more reason to get excited about him these days. Since he's now training with American Top Team, fans may see a new and improved Horiguchi at UFC Fight Night 87.

The Question

How good will the new-look Kyoji Horiguchi be?

Analysis

Training at a high-level gym can change everything for a fighter. Look at Robbie Lawler in Strikeforce compared to Robbie Lawler in the UFC. Look at Miesha Tate before and after settling in with Xtreme Couture.

It's easy to be excited to see what Horiguchi looks like after spending time down in Florida. He has a tough but manageable test at Fight Night 87 in the form of Neil Seery. If he blows the Irishman out of the water, he's a shoo-in for another flyweight title fight in the near future.

Which Strawweight Will Put Together a Streak in the UFC?

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

The Fight: Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Heather Jo Clark
The Real Fight: Possibilities vs. Living Up to Them

The Stakes

The strawweight division is wide-open right now, and that gives Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Heather Jo Clark a grand opportunity. With both women coming off good wins in their UFC debuts, they have the chance to push their way into the title picture with a win here.

The Question

Which strawweight will put together a streak in the UFC?

Analysis

Kowalkiewicz was widely regarded as a top-10 strawweight even before joining the UFC, and she didn't disappoint when she faced a tough Randa Markos. Clark won a grudge match against the resurgent Bec Rawlings, and that, at least for now, makes her a player near the top of the division.

While neither woman has wowed fans quite yet, this is a fight that could lead to big things by year's end.

What Will Happen with Gunnar Nelson?

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

The Fight: Albert Tumenov vs. Gunnar Nelson
The Real Fight: Gunnar Nelson vs. Being a Ham-and-Egger

The Stakes

Gunnar Nelson was thrown into the deep end and drowned against Demian Maia at UFC 194. Now he has to hold onto the small bit of relevance he has left by taking on a deadly Albert Tumenov.

The Question

What will happen with Gunnar Nelson?

Analysis

Nelson was one of those Joe Rogan favorites. One of those fighters who are guaranteed to be champions in the future. One of those guys who always have submissions in deep before losing them. One of the ones where every punch they land stings and every blow they take goes unmentioned.

The hype, unfortunately, just hasn't matched the reality.

In reality, Nelson is an undersized grappling specialist in a division brimming with technically formidable fighters. His striking and wrestling are serviceable but not where they necessarily should be for a fighter nine years deep into his career.

Long gone are Nelson's days as a super-prospect. Now, he's just one of those guys who need a win to keep their spot.

Which Heavyweight Veteran Can Avoid the Chopping Block?

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

The Fight: Stefan Struve vs. Antonio Silva
The Real Fight: Struggling Veteran vs. Struggling Veteran

The Stakes

At one point, both Stefan Struve and Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva were bona fide contenders. Since 2013, however, they've combined for a 3-7-1 record. Both men now stand before the pit that leads to World Series of Fighting, and the only way to avoid that wretched fate is to score a win at Fight Night 87.

The Question

Which heavyweight veteran can avoid the chopping block?

Analysis

Remember when Struve cold-cocked Stipe Miocic? How about when Bigfoot posted back-to-back TKOs over Travis Browne and Alistair Overeem? How long ago does that feel?

Time has not been kind to either man in this fight, and, alas, this is a fight to stay in place. The winner will keep his job, only to face off with another struggling veteran in an unremarkable undercard fight. The loser will be waiting on contract offers.

Is Alistair Overeem About to Complete His Comeback Story?

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Fight: Alistair Overeem vs. Andrei Arlovski
The Real Fight: Alistair Overeem vs. Expectations

The Stakes

Everything has fallen into place for an Alistair Overeem title shot. Ben Rothwell is out of the way. Cain Velasquez is booked for a fight in July. Junior Dos Santos is out of the equation. The only thing that can stop him from getting a crack at gold is a loss to Andrei Arlovski.

The Question

Is Alistair Overeem about to complete his comeback story?

Analysis

The Reem was panned for years as one of the greatest busts in UFC history. It wasn't out of line to say so, mind you, given the fact that he took three knockout losses in his first five UFC fights, but fans were quick to ignore his obvious skills and past accomplishments when things went sideways.

At this point, though, his legitimacy is beyond question. Win or lose at Fight Night 87, Overeem has shown that he is indeed the elite heavyweight he was billed as.