UFC 190 Fallout

Some people fight and it's just enough fight. When Ronda Rousey fight its an event. I'm sure by now your have heard and read all the hype about Rousey and what a mega star she's become. But it's true. When Rousey is on the card the coverage is more intense. People that don't normally watch or cover MMA tune in. Ronda shows up dominates and than heads onto her next project before returning to her bread and butter of fighting to start the process again. UFC 190 was mostly sold as another Rousey show with some legends around to feed hardcore fans. Once again Rousey with ease won. But Ronda wasn't the only won the card.

The in ring action- With seven fights on the main card it could have been a case of more bang for you buck or to much of a good thing. The main card got off to a good start in the Strawweight division. Jessica Aguilar finally made her UFC debut sadly Aguilar became the latest victim of UFC jitters. Claudia Gadelha landed numerous hard strikes beating up Aguliar. The former WSOF champion was extremely tense but a tense fighter is a slow fighter and an open fighter. As the fight moved on Aguilar did manage to calm down and find her grove. It was the case of to little to large. Even with Aguilar landing more Gadelha still was in control. Showing improved striking Gadelha managed to cement her claim as number on contender.

Antonio Bigfoot Silva needed a win. Early on it looked bad as Soa Palelei trapped him on the ground and hit hard ground and pound. Still though with any heavyweight knockout power is there. Bigfoot found his range and scored some big shots and dropped Paelei down. It was similar to his win over Overeem so much so Silva admitted he had just watched that fight earlier in the day. With a second heavyweight fight on the card there was still hope of more fire works. Stefan Struve saw a rough few years finally end with his first win in years. Struve had switched up camps heading to Blackzinallnas. Often a camp change is more of a token move. Struve managed to some improvement. Blocking ever takedown attempt of Minotauro Nogueria and using his jab better than ever before he badly beat up the Pride Legend. For Nogueria it was a sad sight that plays out to often in combat sports. The once great legend still tough still willing to fight but not the same talent. Nogueira had his moments he hurt Struve at time. As has been his trademark he was tough as ever not going down under some hard shots. But still Minotauro is 39 he's been in 46 career fights even the greatest must retire as father time is undefeated.

Than came the black hole in the middle of the card the two TUF fights. There were reason for these being on the card. Due to issues with Visas out of the UFC control and a TV contract stipulation the fights had to be on the main card. But it's hard to care about prospects when you have two legends and the biggest attraction in the sport still to come. Vieria and Lopes did put on an exciting fight with wild exchanges. Franca and Bruno not so much even with Franca getting a submission win. But like I said it's hard to care about the two TUF fights when better things are still to come. I'm sure all four men will be back and they all could develop into elite fighters but on this night there were a bathroom break for many.

It took nearly decade for Shogun and Rogerio Nogueira to rematch. The first man did see the two men legit tun back the clock to the days of PRIDE. Shogun was landing early but got caught. Nogueira and he threw wildly one trying to finish the other trying to survive. In the second Shogun no doubt needing time to recover hit a takedown and seemed happy to stay there. The third the two had some exchanges but it wasn't the thrilling finish some no doubt hoped for. It was still a fine effort and a good fight. And besides sequels rarely surpass the original. Physically Shogun looked fitter than he had in a while but there was no sign of a revival. He still got clipped and one has to wonder if he was facing someone like Rumble Johnson or Jimmy Manawah what would have happened. While Little Nog hasn't taken the same punishment as his brother it's still seems like he's at the end. He had his moments but again there was no indication he could still hang with the true contenders these days.

Finally we came to the main event. Everyone excepted Rousey to win and win easy. Hell at best it seemed even people like Joe Rogan while selling the fights were claiming “Bethe Corrieia might get lucky.” But Rousey isn't just a fighter she's an event. The question were of course. Was Rousey really to drag it out? Could she get another quick win? Could Corriea power be the difference? Rousey took a page out of Jon Jones playbook. Jones loves to get in and beat fighters at what is supposed to be there strengthen. Like Jones did with Glover Trexiera she stood in the pocket and brawled. The one type of fight many thought Corriea was going to need to have any chance. Rousey ate some punches but landed more. It soon became obvious Corriea for all her talk about breaking jaws and knocking Rousey out lacked the power. Rousey hurt her and soon knocked her out in a way similar to Mike Tyson at his peak. Again Rousey presented herself as the single most dominate fighter in the world today.

Biggest Winners

Claudia Gadelha- Back in December Gadelha fought a very close fight with Joanna Jedrzejczyk. One judge said she won the other two said she lost. Gadelha has openly said she won that fight. Since than Jedrzejczyk dominated Carla Esparza to win the Strawweight title and than dominated Jessica Penne to retain it. With the Strawweight division thin Gadelha knew most and likely gong in a win would make her number one contender. Still though it wouldn’t' be easy Jessica Aguilar for many years was viewed as the top 115 fighter. Plus the fight felt like a trap game. We have seen this before a fighter enters knowing they win they get a shot only to look past or get caught and lose. Gadehla out landed Aguilar and scored her win. Gadelha than cut a good post match promo that no doubt won over some fans and be used to help hype the title fight. Gadelha is the one person that looked like a match to Jedrzejczyk can she do it again? It's clear she getting it baring an injury or some kind of other issue.

Patrick Cummins- Most remember Cummins as the Starbucks employee that got a last second call to get KO'ed by Daniel Cormier in his light heavyweight debut. To Cummins credit he's gone 3-1 in the UFC since. But to a point it appeared he was just another wrestler who would wet blanket his way to victory. Against one time Strikeforce champion Rafael Cavlacante he showed good ground and pound. Cummins took some hard shots. With his only career losses coming via knockout it could be worrying he was taking them but Cummins kept coming he broke Cavlacante down and eventually finished him off. While Cavlacante is not a top contender he's another good name for the resume and finishing him off is a good feather for the cap. A lot of has been said about Cummis potential and he's taking steps towards cashing in on it.

Stefan Struve- On September 29^th 2012 Struve spoiled what was meant to be Stipe Micoci's coming out party. Struve knocked the emerging contender out handing Micoci his first loss. Its a testament to how good Struve can. Since than though it's nightmare for the Skyscraper. He suffered knockout loss to Mark Hunt and a broken jaw in his only fight in 2013. A few months later he was diagnosed with a leaking valve and enlarged heart that took him and had many thinking he should retire. After being cleared he was set to return at UFC 175 only to faint backstage. Again people felt he should retire that it had to be linked to his prior health issues. Finally in December he returned and was knocked out again by Alistair Overeem. Struve's long had great physical gifts with his height and reach but often not used them well. Making changes for this camp he showed some decent updates to his striking and vastly improved wrestling defense. Batting Nogueria for three rounds he finally was a winner again.

Biggest Losers-

Bethe Corrieia- She got what she wanted and it could be argued she got what she deserved. Now of course there are lot of face savers for Corriea, she fought the best, Rousey does that to everyone, she still really young in her career, she had nothing to lose anyway. But the fact remains Corrieia wanted this. Staring back with her win over Jessamy Duke and her first mocking of the Four Horsewomen. One year ago after beating Shayna Baszler she openly challenged Rousey to face her. With a perfect record and Rousey having already dominated so many and Rousey wanting the fight Corrieia got her title shot. Leading up to the fight Corriea talked big. And many times she appeared to cross the line. The comment about suicide if she knew about the death of Rousey's father was way out line and extremely personal. If she didn't know it was still a tasteless comment. Leading up the fight Corriea talked about being willing to die, exposing Rousey as a fraud and breaking her jaw.

Corriea spoke of destiny to be champion She repeatably claimed Ronda had never faced some one who didn't fear her. Even to the point of appearing like she was barking at the champion in the weigh in and final press conference. Than the fight came. Corriea tried to charge out and jump on her earlier but was cut off. Rousey hurt her with hard punches and got her to back up. Corriea fired back but was getting the worse of it. After a big knee to the midsection a punch connected to the temple she was going down hard. Landing face first it was clear she wasn't getting up. It can be said Corriea was simply hyping a fight. Trying to play mind games. But she is yet another Rousey victim another fighter that couldn't even get past the first minute.

The Nogueira Brothers- Big and Little Nog are two of true legends in the sport. But as I have said earlier and has been by many people many times father time is undefeated. Little Nog has only fought three times over the last three years. The biggest reason for that has been numerous injures that have kept him on the shelf. He's now lost two in a row not a daming streak by any means but it seems he's a step below the top guys. Thanks to his legendary status and popularity the UFC most and likely will try to keep him in high profile fight against such talent the kind it doesn't appear he can beat anymore. Sure he went toe to toe with Shogun but is Shogun really an elite fighter these days?

For Big Nog its worse. Like his brother injures have limited how many fights he can take the last few years. His fight with Stefan Struve was a sad sight that plays out to often in combat sports. The once great champion still willing but no longer able. He had his moments against Struve been seemed unable to capitalize when an opening appeared. Nogueira was as tough as ever but that is a problem. Nogueira has a long hard career and taken plenty of damage. Again it doesn't seem possible he will be able to again beat any type of high level fighters. Kenny Florian point blank said he doesn't want Big Nog to fight anymore. The twin brothers turn 40 next year they are not going to be the George Foreman of MMA. The aged legend who regains the title. Its more likely they will be the Larry Holmes of MMA the once great fighter just out there appearing to need money.

What Comes Next- For Ronda Rousey there path is pretty clear. Miesha Tate has already been promised the next title shot. The only thing that might change that would be in Cyborg is finally willing to drop to 135. I don't see that happening and I honestly think Cyborg's offer to fight at 140 will disappear if Rousey ever agrees. The only thing you can say about Tate is “She lasted longer than anyone.” But pretty much means she got beat up more than anyone else. Many of Rousey's critics have felt Cyborg could beat her based on her aggressiveness and striking power. But we have seen Rousey's striking improve, Rousey has taken some good shots. And so aggressive fighters haven't done well rushing the Rowdy one. But still Tate and Cyborg appear to be only rivals for Rousey until someone like Amanda Nunes or Holly Holm emerge as true contenders.

Shogun Rua's path isn't as clear. One the one hand you can't really give him a top five guy as he's no longer at that level. On the other hand he is still dangerous and popular enough you can't just hand shuffle him down to prelims. The best option Rampage Jackson. The two fought back in 2005 in Pride. In the past Jackson has asked for the rematch but it hasn't happened for various reasons. Rampage is coming off a decent win over Fabio Malando. Like Shogun Jackson is a legend with a long list of Knockouts. The fight should be exciting and worth an attempt.

Both Stefan Struve and Bigfoot Silva are ranked heavyweights coming off there first win in years. Both are extremely tall. Both have good striking and submission skills. So it makes all the sense in the world to have them fight each other. Other wise I can't really see much. Struve was supposed to fight Matt Mitrone in his comeback fight at UFC 175 that was derailed by Struve passing out backstage. While Mitrone has knockout power he's struggled with grappling which would make a him a winnable fight for Struve and Bigfoot.

Bethe Corrieia had an easy route to the fight with Rousey. Julie Kedzie, Jessamy Duke, and Shayna Baszler don't having winning records in the UFC and currently Duke is the only one left with the company. Kedzie has retired and Baszler was released. With such a one sided loss shes very away from even being in the discussion for a rematch. The truth is Corrieia can now go back to the kind of fight should have had to earn a title shot. The womens bantamweight division has a large number of good fights for her. Former Strikeforce champion Sarah Kaufman has struggled in the UFC but she remains a big name and a good test. We know Corriea can beat the lower level. Kaufman is good enough to still beat Correia but its a fight Corrieia can win. Another possibility is Jessica Eye. Eye had moments where she's looked really good but it's only resulted in a single UFC win. Corriea has the power but Eye has the speed which could make for an interesting fight.

Jessica Aguilar lost her UFC debut but that doesn't mean she can't be champion someday. Shogun Rua lost to Forest Griffin and Carlos Condit was upset by Martin Kampman. Both though scored strong wins and remained top contenders. To this Aguilar needs big wins. On ever level a rematch with Carla Esparza makes sense. Back in 2011 while under the Bellator label the two fought to a split decision with Aguilar winning. For years Aguilar held the number one ranking by many sites yet it was Esparza who held the more respected title first in Invicta and than the UFC. But both have had bad setback. Last time out Esparza was destroyed by Jedrzejczyk when he lost the title. There is legit bad blood between two. Esparaza has insisted that Aguilar is a cheater. The hold up is Esparaza is out with a shoulder injury and may not be back for a while. Of course Aguilar took some damage and likely won't be back for a while either.