UFC 241 was this past weekend, and it featured some really big fights. Let’s get to the rundown.
UFC 241, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
GOOD- Ian Heinsisch vs. Derek Brunson
This fight was all right. Nothing great, but it was solid. Brunson fought well and got the decision. Good win for Brunson.
GOOD- Sadiq Yusuff stops Gabriel Benitez
Benitez nailed Yusuff with some big shots but Yusuff fired back and dropped Benitez with a great counter and then pounced to get the stoppage. Good win for Benitez.
GREAT- Paulo Costa vs. Yoel Romero
This was an incredible fight, one that saw both men land heavy shots. The toughness was on display here, for sure. Costa won the decision, though an argument could be made for Romero getting the decision. My initial thought was that Costa did enough to win but if I rewatched the fight, I might feel differently. Big win for Costa in a great fight.
GOOD- Nate Diaz vs. Anthony Pettis
This was another war. Diaz hadn’t fought in three years but he looked good here, no signs of rust. He took the fight to Pettis, who was happy to return the favor. They fought on the ground and on the feet, with Diaz coming out just ahead but Pettis acquitting himself very well. Diaz got the decision but Pettis showed flashes of brilliance and grabbed the advantage numerous times. Diaz would battle back, though, and reassert himself.
This was a really good fight and a big win for Diaz, who called out Jorge Masvidal after the fight.
GOOD- Stipe Miocic stops Daniel Cormier
Cormier was looking to defend his UFC Heavyweight Championship in this rematch of the main event of UFC 228. Cormier almost got the stoppage in the first round after a big slam and some hammerfists, but Miocic survived. The second round saw Miocic nail Cormier with some big shots and the third round saw Cormier land some big shots of his own.
The fourth round was when Miocic started going to the body and doing a lot of damage. He hit Cormier over and over with powerful shots to the body and that took a major toll on Cormier. Miocic kept pouring it on and eventually Cormier couldn’t take anymore. Stipe Miocic is the new UFC Heavyweight Champion. Great win for him. When he started going to the body, that completely changed things. He’s now put himself back in the discussion for best heavyweight of all-time. I’m still a Fedor Emelianenko guy but this was a huge win for Miocic.
As for Cormier, he said he’s going to take a few days and talk to his wife and coaches and decide what to do next. He said before the fight that retirement was a possibility but losing like this might change his mind. On the other hand, he’s talked before about wanting to retire by the time he was 40, so I could see him walk away. We’ll just have to wait to see what happens. If Cormier does retire, he does so as one of the best ever and a MMA legend.
Comments and suggestions can be emailed to me at hydenfrank@gmail.com and you can follow me on Twitter at @hydenfrank
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