UFC 204 Results: 5 Burning Questions Heading into TUF: Latin America 3 Finale

UFC 204 is in the books. The results are as follows:

• Michael Bisping defeats Dan Henderson by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
• Gegard Mousasi defeats Vitor Belfort by TKO at 2:43 of the second round
• Jimi Manuwa defeats Ovince Saint Preux by KO at 2:38 of the second round
• Stefan Struve defeats Daniel Omielanczuk via submission (D'arce choke) at 1:41 of the second round
• Mirsad Bektic defeats Russell Doane via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:22 of the first round
• Iuri Alcantara defeats Brad Pickett via submission (triangle choke) at 1:59 of the first round
• Damian Stasiak defeats Davey Grant via submission (armbar) at 3:56 of the third round
• Leon Edwards defeats Albert Tumenov via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:01 of the third round
• Marc Diakiese defeats Lukasz Sajewski by TKO at 4:40 of the second round
• Mike Perry defeats Danny Roberts by KO at 4:40 of the third round
• Leonardo Santos defeats Adriano Martins by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Next up? UFC Fight Night 98...or maybe 97? Who knows at this point. It's the finale to The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 3; let's just call it that, and it happens on Saturday Nov. 5.

While TUF finales can be hit-or-miss, this one looks to be a hit with a number of interesting debuts (from outside of the show) set to occur and an excellent main event in Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Tony Ferguson.

So what are the burning questions this go-around? Read on and find out!

Will TUF: Latin America 3 Produce Any Talent?

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The Fight: N/A
The Real Fight: N/A

The Stakes

To American fans, this card is UFC Fight Night 97. To fans south of the border, however, this is the finale to The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 3. With that in mind, it's worth posing one simple question...

The Question

Will TUF: Latin America 3 produce any talent?

Analysis

TUF: LA1 seemed awful at the time, but it has actually shaken out reasonably well as a whole, giving the UFC a few serviceable midcarders to complement high-flying featherweight prospect Yair Rodriguez. TUF: LA2...not so much.

To this point, reports on the season have been decidedly down the middle and haven't suggested that there is a huge glut of talent (a la what is happening with TUF24) or that the show is a farcical train wreck (a la TUF: China). Of course, this is something that won't be fully realized for years, but it's worth watching in the meantime.

How Will Alexa Grasso Fare in Her UFC Debut?

The Fight: Alexa Grasso vs. Heather Jo Clark
The Real Fight: Alexa Grasso vs. First Impressions

The Stakes

One of the hottest prospects in MMA, Alexa Grasso is set to make her debut at the UFC's next trip to Mexico. The 23-year-old has been pegged by many as a potential superstar, but she needs to make a good first impression if she hopes to realize those hopes.

The Question

How will Alexa Grasso fare in her UFC debut?

Analysis

Grasso has everything the UFC could want in a fighter. She's an established name in her division, beautiful, offers a potentially excellent foothold for the company in an emerging market (Mexico) and speaks great English. With one big win, she could get the Paige VanZant treatment.

That win won't come easy, though. Clark is a tested veteran who has the skills and toughness to give anyone a tough fight.

But if Grasso can win impressively, big things might be on the horizon.

Is Beneil Dariush a Top-10-Caliber Fighter?

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The Fight: Beneil Dariush vs. Rashid Magomedov
The Real Fight: Beneil Dariush vs. Asterisks

The Stakes

Beneil Dariush was a top-10 lightweight for a fleeting moment after taking a controversial split decision over Michael Johnson, but his loss to Michael Chiesa shortly thereafter has left his place in the division unclear (although UFC.com ranks him No. 9). Set to face Rashid Magomedov, he needs to post a big win if he wants to hold on to his relevance.

The Question

Is Beneil Dariush a top-10-caliber fighter?

Analysis

With a 7-2 record over nine UFC fights, it's clear Dariush is doing something right in the cage fighting business. Is he doing enough right to be considered an elite lightweight, however? That remains to be seen. While Dariush can rough up middling competition such as Daron Cruickshank and Jim Miller, he hasn't had that kind of success against the top-tier opposition.

Magomedov does not count as top-tier opposition, but he's good enough for Dariush to warrant a step up with a decisive victory. The nine-fight UFC vet isn't far away from a crack at ranked competition, and a big win here would go a long way.

How Will Marcin Held Fare in His UFC Debut?

The Fight: Diego Sanchez vs. Marcin Held
The Real Fight: Marcin Held vs. First Impressions

The Stakes

Alexa Grasso isn't the only hot young fighter who is debuting at Fight Night 98. Polish submission ace Marcin Held is entering the Octagon for the first time as well. He faces Diego Sanchez in the sure-to-be-exciting co-main event.

The Question

How will Marcin Held fare in His UFC debut?

Analysis

Held is like Rousimar Palhares, except without all the evil bubbling just below the surface. He's a submission master with a penchant for leglocks who can end a fight in a split second once it hits the ground. Those skills held up against some formidable foes in Bellator's deceptively deep lightweight division and could well carry him to big things in the UFC.

Sanchez is one of the longest-tenured fighters on the roster, but he is beatable at this point. Held would benefit from adding ol' Nightmare's name to his resume.

What's Next for the Main Event Winner?

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The Fight: Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Tony Ferguson
The Real Fight: Rafael Dos Anjos, Tony Ferguson vs. Conor McGregor

The Stakes

In the pre-Conor McGregor UFC era, Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Tony Ferguson would most likely be a surefire top-contender match. Ferguson's eight-fight winning streak is too long to be denied, and Dos Anjos was a dominant enough champion that he warrants a rematch sooner than later.

Alas, this isn't the pre-McGregor Era, and that leaves it a mystery as to what comes next for the winner of the Fight Night 98 main event.

The Question

What's next for the main event winner?

Analysis

Max Holloway and Jose Aldo aren't the only fighters who were left spinning their wheels when McGregor decided he wanted the lightweight title. Contenders in the lightweight division were no better off.

It's tough to even speculate an answer when it comes to this question because McGregor is rewriting the UFC's playbook as he goes along. Hopefully, big things can come for Dos Anjos and Ferguson down the line.