UFC 207 Nunes vs. Rousey Results: Matches to Make for the Winners and Losers
Amanda Nunes made a statement at UFC 207, and Ronda Rousey was the pulpit.
Nunes ousted the former dominant figure in just 48 seconds. The victory leaves a giant question mark on Rousey's future as well as her legacy.
In the co-main event, Cody Garbrandt defeated one of the most dominant champions in UFC history with a stellar performance against Dominick Cruz. Now he will prepare for his first title defense, which comes in 2017.
Where do they go from here? Along with the winners and losers from the other bouts, this is where we are here to examine.
Jump into what fights the UFC should book next for each UFC 207 participant as we look at the matches to make after the final UFC event in 2016.
Preliminary Fights Quick Hits
1 of 6
Alex Oliveira vs. Tim Means ends in a no-contest
- The fight should be re-booked for an event in the first quarter of 2017
Niko Price def. Brandon Thatch via submission (arm-triangle) at 4:30 of the first round
- Niko Price vs. Sultan Aliev
- Brandon Thatch should be cut from the roster
Alex Garcia def. Mike Pyle by KO at 3:34 of the first round
- Alex Garcia vs. Jake Ellenberger
- Mike Pyle should be cut from the roster
Antonio Carlos Junior def. Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Derek Brunson
- Marvin Vettori vs. Trevor Smith
Neil Magny def. Johny Hendricks by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Neil Magny vs. Dong Hyun Kim
- Johny Hendricks should be cut from the roster
- Hendricks is on a three-fight losing streak and a shell of his former self. At a shop-worn 33, he is not worth the premium given he will be forced up to middleweight, as reported by MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani.
Louis Smolka vs. Ray Borg
2 of 6
Ray Borg def. Louis Smolka by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Borg entered the UFC with a lot of hype, but a split-decision loss tempered those expectations. After three straight wins, another loss cooled his hype again. But at UFC 207, he showed why he was such an exciting prospect.
He had little issue with Smolka.
Smolka was a rising prospect in 2016, but now with back-to-back losses, he hits the end of the line. Yao Zhikui makes sense as he, too, is on a two-fight skid.
Borg will be looking forward to a top-10 matchup. Ali Bagautinov offers him the greatest chance to make a statement. Bagautinov is coming off a loss but just outside of the top five. A win for Borg elevates his status in the outset of 2017.
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Tarec Saffiedine
3 of 6
Dong Hyun Kim def. Tarec Saffiedine by split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
It wasn't pretty, but Kim got by a dangerous Saffiedine at UFC 207. It's a significant setback for Saffiedine.
The UFC should pit Saffiedine against Warlley Alves. It could be a "loser leaves" situation, but ultimately it's about the UFC seeing what each fighter brings in 2017. If Alves bests Saffiedine, it shows that the former Strikeforce champion is not likely to regain his form. Should Saffiedine win, perhaps Alves isn't the top prospect they had hoped for.
The UFC can make long-term decisions based on the outcome of that fight.
As for Kim, back to contention he goes.
Robbie Lawler is available and is the biggest get Kim can hope for, and as a bonus for the UFC, it's likely the best return bout for Lawler. Their clash of styles would make for a showdown with several haymakers. A win could net Lawler another title tilt, or Kim could take Lawler's position among the elite.
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T.J. Dillashaw vs. John Lineker
4 of 6
T.J. Dillashaw def. John Lineker by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
It's easy for Dillashaw, he gets his title shot.
As such, that fight will be addressed in the next slide with the new champion.
What about Lineker?
Lineker is an exciting fighter with a lot of skills, but Dillashaw's performance was a big indicator of his ceiling. He is still relatively undersized for the division and has defensive grappling issues. The UFC is high on Thomas Almeida as a prospect, and that's who should be tapped for Lineker's next bout.
Lineker vs. Almeida is a fun stylistic bout, but it also is a chance for them to move Almeida back into position among the upper echelon. And should Lineker catch her, much like Garbrandt did in 2016, the UFC gets him right back into title contention.
Dominick Cruz vs. Cody Garbrandt
5 of 6
Cody Garbrandt def. Dominick Cruz by unanimous decision (48-46, 48-47, 48-46)
There's a new king at 135.
The old king didn't get blown out of the water, but he has issues. For the first time in a long time, Cruz's evasive style didn't have great success. Garbrandt landed repeatedly and taunted Cruz.
Cruz could get a rematch, but after Garbrandt's performance, that seems unlikely. He should meet the winner of Aljamain Sterling vs. Raphael Assuncao (January 28) in a title eliminator. That makes the most sense.
Garbrandt should meet his former Team Alpha Male teammate, T.J. Dillashaw.
Garbrandt, at the post-fight press conference, called for an instant rematch with Cruz (h/t Sherdog.com's Tristen Critchfield). That's not the fight to make. Garbrandt clearly outperformed the champion and nearly finished him. It wasn't a flash KO or close fight. It's not worthy of an instant rematch.
Dillashaw getting the shot makes the most sense and the two fighters dislike each other. It's a marketable fight at 135, and those are rare. Strike while the iron is hot.
Amanda Nunes vs. Ronda Rousey
6 of 6
Amanda Nunes def. Ronda Rousey by KO at 0:48 of the first round
Booking Nunes' next title defense is quite easy. Valentina Shevchenko and Julianna Pena meet in the main event of UFC on Fox 23 on January 28. That is a clear title eliminator. No matter which woman wins, Nunes will have a stiff challenge.
The biggest question following Nunes' destruction at UFC 207 is what it does for Rousey's career. Will she ever return?
It's doubtful. But there is a chance. Why? After her previous loss to Holly Holm, Rousey lost most of her Hollywood projects. Following a second straight embarrassing loss, those offers may never return.
The WWE brought her in for WrestleMania two years ago and that could be the next step. However, former WWE employee and current ESPN anchor Jonathan Coachman says that won't happen due to the loss.
Fighting may be her lone option should she want a life back under the bright lights. She doesn't need that life, but should she want it, one more trip back inside the eight-sided cage could be in store. Just in case she returns, who should get tapped?
Certainly no one in the top five. It needs to be someone with a little bit of cache, but not in the top end of the division.
Jessica Eye is the name that pops.
She's undersized, doesn't have the brutal power of Holm or Nunes and lacks the ground game to be competitive should the fight go there. Eye is talented and could test an unmotivated Rousey. If Rousey is going through the motions, Eye will win that fight. But it offers the former champion a matchup to regain confidence.
Do not expect that fight to happen. Rousey looks done, and there's no need for her to return. It's just a matter of how she wants to take the next step in her career.
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