Though it’s been assumed by most that Ronda Rousey would retire from mixed martial arts after her loss against Amanda Nunes, there hasn’t been much said by Rousey or those close to her since the immediate fallout of UFC 207.
That changed with Dana White’s appearance on Tuesday’s UFC Unfiltered podcast. While responding to a question about Rousey’s MMA future, White noted that he had talked to her earlier in the morning and didn’t think that she would fight again.
“She’s good, man. Her spirits are good. She’s doing her thing. In the conversation that I had with her, if I had to say right here, right now, and again I don’t like saying right here, right now because it’s up to her and it’s her thing, but I wouldn’t say she fights again,” White said. “I think she’s probably done. I think she’s going to ride off into the sunset and start living her life outside of fighting.”
White said that Rousey’s career record meant everything to her before she lost to Holly Holm at UFC 193, but she began questioning what she was doing and wanted to do more after that fight. He said that Rousey has enough money and wouldn’t need to make any again if she didn’t want to after earning so much in her career.
“I’m happy for her. She came in, she changed the world, she put female fighting on the map. she’s been part of the biggest fights in the history of women’s fighting, and I hope those records can be broken,” White said. “I don’t know if they can, but I hope they can.”
Rousey returned to the Octagon after an absence of more than a year following her loss to Holm to challenge Nunes for the women’s bantamweight championship last December. While putting up almost no resistance against Nunes’ strikes, Rousey was knocked out in 48 seconds.
In a statement that she put out after losing that fight, Rousey said that she would need to take some time to think about her future.
Headlined by Neil Magny scoring a three-round decision win over Johny Hendricks, the UFC 207 prelims on Friday night did 1.511 million viewers for the two-hour show on FS1.
That number was down from the 1.801 million for the UFC 205 prelims, which was the company’s Madison Square Garden debut and the most stacked lineup in UFC history. It was, however, up eight percent from the UFC 193 prelims, which was the last PPV headlined by Ronda Rousey.
This impressive number came despite huge competition from the Orange Bowl on ESPN, which did over 11 million viewers opposite the prelim show.
Friday’s show was the fifth highest audience for a PPV prelims since FS1 started airing them, trailing the last three shows headlined by Conor McGregor as well as the UFC 200 prelims this past July.
The prelims number is usually, but not always, an indication of how well the show did on PPV. Another sign that UFC 207 might have done well is that Google searches were over 10 million on Ronda Rousey, among the highest in company history.
Not surprisingly (and perhaps understandably), Ronda Rousey didn’t speak to the media after her 48-second loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 on Friday night.
But Rousey broke her silence on Saturday afternoon via a statement that was released to ESPN. Of note, Rousey said that she needs time to think about her future after the loss but thanked fans for being there for her.
The full statement is available below:
“I want to say thank you to all of my fans who have been there for me in not only the greatest moments but in the most difficult ones. Words cannot convey how much your love and support means to me.”
“Returning to not just fighting, but winning, was my entire focus this past year. However, sometimes — even when you prepare and give everything you have and want something so badly — it doesn’t work how you planned. I take pride in seeing how far the women’s division has come in the UFC and commend all the other women who have been part of making this possible, including Amanda.”
“I need to take some time to reflect and think about the future. Thank you for believing in me and understanding.”
Much was made of how little Rousey spoke heading into the night as she spurned most traditional pre-fight media duties, instead making an agreement to only speak to a few favorable mainstream outlets. She didn’t do an interview in the Octagon after the fight either, but Dana White said on the FS1 post-show that she was handling the loss better than she did against Holly Holm.
In what was her first fight since losing to Holm at UFC 193 over a year ago, Rousey was never competitive against Nunes. She took punches with almost zero resistance until the fight was stopped and Nunes had successfully defended her women’s bantamweight championship.
Dana White appeared on the UFC post-fight show on FS1 following UFC 207. Of note, he said the following:
The event was the most-attended show in the history of Las Vegas. They sold standing room only tickets at T-Mobile Arena for the first time.
White said that he spent time with Ronda Rousey right after the fight and claimed she was handling this loss better than she did against Holly Holm. He also added that she has a lot of support around her and she’ll do fine.
When asked about Amanda Nunes, White said that he could’ve spent $100 million promoting her before this and no one would have known who she was. After this win, everyone knows her and he thinks she’ll be a big star going forward.
When asked what’s next for new bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt, White brought up that TJ Dillashaw said that the UFC was rigged if he didn’t get the next shot. So he laughed and said that he should give Dominick Cruz a rematch to prove him right.
Also announced on the show were Cruz and Garbrandt getting $50k bonuses for fight of the night and Nunes and Alex Garcia (for his one punch brutal KO of Mike Pyle) getting $50k performance of the night bonuses.
In less than one minute, Ronda Rousey’s hope of reclaiming the UFC women’s bantamweight title after a year on the shelf were dashed by the powerful hands of Amanda Nunes.
Nunes (14-4) defeated Rousey by TKO in just 48 seconds in the main event of UFC 207 in the first defense of the title she won by cruising through past Rousey rival Miesha Tate at UFC 200.
The champion was aggressive in battering Rousey (12-2) who seemed content to stand, never attempting to take the fight to the mat. After a hard right hand connected, Nunes landed right after left after right, causing the defenseless Rousey, bleeding from the nose and red in the face, to stumble backward, weakly attempting to grab the cage to prevent her fall.
It was an easy stoppage for referee Herb Dean and a shocking one-sided ending leading to more questions about Rousey’s future than ever.
As Rousey notably did no media leading into the fight, there was much discussion instead about her impressive physical appearance. She had the signature scowl and walk to the cage, but this wasn’t anywhere close to the Rousey seen during her incredible run that began to crumble when Holly Holm upset her for the title in November 2015.
Rousey did no post-fight promo and left the cage without barely acknowledging Nunes or doing any type of interview, leaving most to question if this was the final fight of her career.
Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez will discuss the event in totality on Wrestling Observer Radio, available for subscribers early Sunday morning.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 207: Nunes vs. Rousey, eminating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The event is headlined by UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes making her first title defense as she defends against former champion, Ronda Rousey, in Rousey’s return to the Octagon.
Nunes submitted Miesha Tate at UFC 200 in July to win the championship, and she has won four straight fights overall. Rousey returns to competition for the first time since losing the championship to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November 2015, and the entire world is interested in seeing how Rousey rebounds from her first career loss. The anticipation has been heightened by Rousey not doing any media obligations in the lead-up to the fight.
In the co-main event, Dominick Cruz defends the UFC Bantamweight Championship against Cody Garbrandt. Cruz has won 13 straight fights and is looking to defeat another member of the Team Alpha Male camp. Garbrandt is undefeated in his career, winning all ten of his career fights, and has been very vocal in his intentions of knocking out Cruz to win the championship.
Also on the main card is a fight to determine the next contender at 135 pounds as former bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw takes on John Lineker.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET tonight with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
> Alex Oliveira (16-3-1 1 NC, 5-2 UFC) vs. Tim Means (26-7-1, 8-4 UFC) Welterweights
Oliveira dropped Means with a spin kick in the first round but Means was able to recover and they traded takedowns. Means landed an illegal knee that hurt Oliveira badly. Oliveira looked awful and he got stretchered out from the Octagon as he was completely out of it. Means was complaining that it was a legal knee but it clearly wasn’t as Oliveira had a knee down. They actually called the fight a no contest as the ruling was it was accidental but he clearly landed two knees to the head while Oliveira had a knee on the mat. This was a giant cluster and there was a lot of confusion. Means called out the media after the fight and he seemed to have trouble knowing the rules.
Official Result: Alex Oliveira vs. Tim Means declared a no contest (accidental knee) at 3:33 of Round 1
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> Brandon Thatch (11-4, 2-3 UFC) vs. Niko Price (8-0, 0-0 UFC) Welterweights
Thatch was winning on the feet before being taken down by Price. Thatch almost had a kimura but Price got out of it. Price was working for chokes from all positions and finally locked in an arm-triangle choke that forced Thatch to tap out in the first round. Price was a big underdog and Thatch, who was once a hot prospect at 170 pounds, has now lost four straight fights, all by submission.
Official Result: Niko Price def. Brandon Thatch by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:30 of Round 1
> Mike Pyle (27-12-1, 10-7 UFC) vs. Alex Garcia (13-3, 3-2 UFC) Welterweights
Garcia rocked Pyle early and got a takedown and was controlling on the mat before Pyle got to his feet. Garcia then timed a right hand perfectly as Pyle was going for a knee and landed the punch right to Pyle’s chin and Pyle was knocked out cold. Pyle took a hard flat back bump onto the mat and it was a violent knockout win for Garcia. Garcia asked to fight on the Brooklyn card but that card looks full.
Official Result: Alex Garcia def. Mike Pyle by knockout (punch) at 3:34 of Round 1
> Antonio Carlos Junior (6-2 1 NC, 3-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Marvin Vettori (11-2, 1-0 UFC) Middleweights
The story of the first round was eye pokes as each man poked the other in the eye, Vettori on the receiving end twice. When they weren’t fouling each other it was Carlos Junior in control with the grappling and pressure against the fence. It was Carlos Junior 10-9 in the first. It was more of the same early in the second until Vettori took Carlos Junior down and was pounding away. He came close to finishing with a guillotine choke. Both men landed on the mat but Vettori had more power and volume from the top. Big round two for Vettori, 10-9, and 19-19 after two.
Carlos Junior went back to applying pressure with back control in the third, but Vettori was doing better on the feet. In the end, it was Carlos Junior pressuring Vettori against the fence and holding onto the body lock for a lot of the round, mixed with a takedown, that got him the third, 10-9. I had it 29-28 for Carlos Junior, but a close fight. The judges all agreed as they all had the same scores.
Official Result: Antonio Carlos Junior def. Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Johny Hendricks (#6, 17-5, 12-5 UFC) vs. Neil Magny (#8, 18-5, 11-4 UFC) Welterweights, Hendricks missed weight at 173.5 pounds
They were even on the feet and Hendricks got a takedown and was working on the top. Magny was active on the bottom and both were landing on the mat. Magny tried a triangle but couldn’t get it but landed elbows. Magny got the round due to be super active from the bottom, 10-9. Hendricks got four takedowns in the second round. He was playing a lot of defense on the top and wasn’t landing much as Magny was very active on the bottom. Neither man did much on the feet. The second had to go to Hendricks due to all the takedowns and I had it 10-9 for him and 19-19 after two.
Magny was more active on the feet but Hendricks was trying to wrestle. Magny was defending the takedowns as Hendricks was just hanging on. Hendricks did get a big slam with just over a minute left. Magny had a triangle in late and was landing elbows at the end of the round. It might have stolen him the round. I think it did as I had it 10-9 for Magny and him winning 29-28. Magny got the decision with the same scorecards. The crowd booed the decision very loudly.
Official Result: Neil Magny def. Johny Hendricks by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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> Louis Smolka (#12, 11-2, 5-2 UFC) vs. Ray Borg (#13, 9-2, 3-2 UFC) Flyweights, Borg missed weight coming in at 129.5 pounds
Borg got a couple of takedowns and was winning the grappling by using very good transitions and sweeps on the mat. Borg landed some punches from the back as well and had Smolka bleeding. A 10-9 opening round for Borg. Borg got some more takedowns in the second and was being patient on the mat and countering all of the sweeps that Smolka was attempting. Smolka couldn’t do much to get out from the bottom and the round was all Borg. A 10-9 second round for Borg and him up 20-18.
Borg told his corner between rounds that he broke his ankle. It didn’t stop him in the third as he got more takedowns and was transitioning well on the mat. Borg had an arm-triangle in deep but Smolka was able to survive but Borg didn’t let up on his pressure.They got to their feet and Smolka landed some clean shots but it was too late to do anything. A 10-9 round for Borg and a clear 30-27 for him, and he looked fantastic here. The missing weight is going to cost him, though.
Official Result: Ray Borg def. Louis Smolka by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
> Dong Hyun Kim (#9, 21-3-1 1 NC, 12-3 1 NC UFC) vs. Tarec Saffiedine (#12, 16-5, 2-2 UFC) Welterweights
They traded takedowns and were trading on their feet and Saffiedine was finding a home for his right hand. Kim was pushing Saffiedine against the fence but wasn’t doing anything. Saffiedine got a late trip takedown and it likely got him the round as neither were able to take advantage. 10-9 Saffiedine. Not a lot happened in the second round. Both men got brief takedowns and Kim was pressuring Saffiedine around the Octagon. They traded knees in the clinch but neither man landed with a lot of volume. A real boring and nothing round. I gave it 10-9 to Kim with it tied 19-19.
They traded back-and-forth at the start of the third round in the most exciting moment of this fight. This round was boring. Kim was all pressure going for takedowns he couldn’t complete and Saffiedine wasn’t taking advantage of the striking battle. Both fighters were exhausted. Kim had the pressure but Saffiedine landed harder strikes when there were strikes landed. A close round and close fight. I had round three 10-9 for Kim and Kim winning 29-28. Two judges had it the same and one judge actually gave Saffiedine every round.
Official Result: Dong Hyun Kim def. Tarec Saffiedine by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
> TJ Dillashaw (#1, 13-3, 9-3 UFC) vs. John Lineker (#2, 29-7, 10-2 UFC) Bantamweights
They were both landing shots on the feet with Dillashaw getting the better of it before Dillashaw took Lineker down. Lineker was staying active on his back but Dillashaw got the better of it before they got to their feet. Dillashaw was doing an excellent job of staying on the outside and landing from a distance and was keeping Lineker from getting inside the pocket. Good round for Dillashaw as he got it 10-9.
Dillashaw got a brief takedown in the second. Lineker was throwing big punches but Dillashaw was able to stay far enough away to where they missed. Dillashaw got another takedown and was landing big elbows from the top and then came on with punches. Dillashaw just kept Lineker planted on the mat and was landing bunches of punches. He completely controlled Lineker on the ground. A big second round won by Dillashaw. I don’t think it was a 10-8 round because it wasn’t close to being finished, but Dillashaw’s round 10-9. He is up 20-18 after two.
Dillashaw was throwing Lineker off base with movement and scored a takedown. Dillashaw looks fantastic in this fight. Dillashaw cracked Lineker with some punches and had another beautifully timed takedown. He continued to land punches and went for a leg lock to no avail. Lineker was able to land some big body punches in the last minute of the fight but in the end, Dillashaw was too much for Lineker in this round and on this night. 10-9 Dillashaw in the third and I had him winning 30-27. Outstanding performance from Dillashaw. He got all the scorecards 30-26, so the judges gave him a 10-8 round in there. Dillashaw said he wants his belt back, called Dominick Cruz a bitch, and said if he doesn’t get the next title shot then it shows the UFC has rigged matchmaking. Wow.
Official Result: TJ Dillashaw def. John Lineker by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Garbrandt was swinging for the fences and he did tag Cruz a couple of times, and he tagged Cruz with some leg kicks. They were trash talking each other. Big chants for Garbrandt. Garbrandt had good head movement and was mocking Cruz at times. Cruz got a takedown and Garbrandt sprawled but they got right back up. Cruz was working his usual movement but Garbrandt was light on his feet. They both landed good punches with a minute to go in the round. Garbrandt got a well-timed takedown at the end but the scrambled to their feet. It was a good round for Garbrandt and I had him 10-9.
Cruz tagged Garbrandt and had him stunned. Loud chants for Cruz started to come in. Garbrandt was landing some punches but Cruz was able to circle away and was using really good movement like usual. They were talking a lot of trash to each other inside the Octagon. Cruz landed a counter right hand after a body kick from Garbrandt and they had a flurry at the end. A very close round but Garbrandt looks to be slowing down. I had it 10-9 for Cruz, and 19-19 after two.
Garbrandt tagged and rocked Cruz early and Cruz was cut open over the left eye. Garbrandt tagged Cruz multiple times during this round. The cut appeared to be from a headbutt. Garbrandt dropped Cruz with a left hand and hurt him with a knee but Cruz was able to survive. Garbrandt had great head movement as he was able to duck under a lot of Cruz punches in this round. Garbrandt is throwing big punches when he has openings. A solid round for Garbrandt, who takes it 10-9, and I have it 29-28 for Garbrandt.
They are still talking trash before the fourth round. Garbrandt dropped Cruz with a big punch and thought the fight might be over so he didn’t go on the attack and Cruz was able to get back to his feet. Garbrandt ducked under a lot of Cruz’ punches and then started mocking Cruz and clowning with him. Big chants for Cody from the crowd. Garbrandt dropped Cruz again and started dancing instead of going for the finish. Garbrandt dropped Cruz a third time. A big round for Garbrandt, 10-8, and I have him up 39-36 Garbrandt. This is a star-making performance.
Garbrandt slowed down in the fifth and Cruz was looking for an opening to finish the fight. Garbrandt spent more time mocking Cruz this round than he did really going after Cruz, almost like he was on cruise control. Cruz started putting the pressure on Garbrandt and was swinging. Garbrandt decided to push Cruz against the fence. Cruz landed a leg kick late. Tough final round to score. I have the last round 10-9 for Cruz, but I have the fight 48-46 for Garbrandt.
Official Result: Cody Garbrandt def. Dominick Cruz by unanimous decision (48-46, 48-47, 48-46) to become the new UFC Bantamweight Champion
This didn’t last long. Nunes rocked Rousey early and often and Rousey was out on her feet early. Nunes was landing a lot of punches and before Rousey could fall to the mat Herb Dean stepped in and stopped the fight. It went less than a minute and Nunes remains the champion. This may be the last time we see Ronda Rousey in the UFC.
Official Result: Amanda Nunes def. Ronda Rousey by TKO (punches) at :48 of Round 1 to remain the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion
Key Statistic: Rousey hasn’t fought since November 2015
This is an interesting fight to say the least, mainly because there are a lot of question marks surrounding Rousey. Is she better than ever? Has she lost the passion to fight? Is it her last fight? Why is she being so quiet? We haven’t seen much of her since she was knocked out by Holly Holm and while she looks in the best shape of her career heading into fight week, she has refused to do any kind of media, so fans don’t know what to expect. Meanwhile, the dangerous Nunes is on a tear, winning four straight fights and becoming champion at UFC 200 by throttling Miesha Tate.
At her best, Rousey is a better fighter despite her not being as great on her feet. She has brought in new boxing training partners, but she hasn’t switched camps, and she comes from one that many think stunts her growth as a fighter. Nunes is dangerous on her feet, but she fades in fights.
I don’t expect this to go long and maybe not even get out of the first round. The longer it goes, it favors Rousey more. It favors Nunes on the feet, and Rousey on the mat. I think this is a toss-up fight, and a bet on either fighter is a good one. Both are good fantasy plays as well, so it’s best to go with your gut. Mine favors Rousey winning by submission in the first.
UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz (22-1) vs. Cody Garbrandt (10-0)
Key Statistic: Garbrandt has nine wins by knockout
Both men are looking to cement their names in contention for the best fighter of 2016, and Garbrandt is looking to unseat Cruz as the best bantamweight in the world. Cruz has long been one of the best fighters in the sport, and despite his injury-plagued past, he hasn’t lost a step inside the Octagon. He is also the smartest fighter in the sport, and he has made a career of beating guys from the Team Alpha Male camp. Garbrandt is the next in that line.
Cruz is a big favorite for good reason. Garbrandt is a knockout artist, but Cruz rarely gets hit. When he has, he isn’t chinny at all, and can take a punch. Cruz has excellent movement and Garbrandt is going to have to chase him a lot. The guys from his camp haven’t been able to emulate that, and the one who could, TJ Dillashaw, left the camp over a year ago.
I don’t expect Garbrandt to knock him out, and I doubt he can outpoint Cruz over five rounds. Cruz will land a lot and score some takedowns and rack up fantasy points. He is the better bet and the better fantasy play, especially in a five-round fight.
Key Statistic: Both men land over five significant strikes per minute
This is an incredibly interesting fight. Lineker is one of the toughest fighters in the sport and among the hardest-hitting fighters. He is also difficult to prepare for. Dillashaw has become a great fighter under the wing of Duane Ludwig, but he doesn’t have the finishing instinct that Lineker has. He fights too safe at times, and it will hurt him against Lineker.
Lineker is an action fighter and he will bring the fight to Dillashaw. The former champion is in a vulnerable position, and I don’t think this is a great match-up but one he had to take to get a title shot. Both men land a lot of strikes, and Dillashaw could look to take the fight to the mat, but Lineker is dangerous there too. Lineker has the power to end the fight with one punch.
This could be the best fight on the card. Dillashaw is a big favorite, so there is a lot of money to be made on Lineker in this fight. I actually think he will win the fight, which makes him the better fantasy play. I wouldn’t play Dillashaw in fantasy lineups as his salary is at the price where you need a finish, and I don’t see him finishing Lineker.
Dong Hyun Kim (21-3-1 1 NC) vs. Tarec Saffiedine (16-5)
Key Statistic: Kim averages three takedowns per 15 minutes
Kim and Saffiedine get the bump to the main card and both are looking to keep themselves in the top ten with an outside chance at contending for the title one day. Kim has won two straight and six of his last seven while Saffiedine has lost two of his last three. Kim is a judo artist with excellent judo throws, and while he is solid on his feet, he isn’t a knockout artist.
Saffiedine is a harder hitter, but he leans more on the safe side as a points fighter. He hasn’t shown that finishing instinct, which is further cemented by the fact he hasn’t finished an opponent in over six years. In fact, Saffiedine has gone the distance in nine of his last ten fights. When it comes to a finish, Kim is the better bet, but I don’t see Kim getting one here as Saffiedine is tough and durable.
I like Kim in this fight, but I wouldn’t bet on either. I also wouldn’t play either in fantasy. However, with only twenty fighters on the card and needing to have six in your lineups, if you are to play one, Kim is the better play due to takedowns and volume.
Louis Smolka (11-2) vs. Ray Borg (9-2)
Betting Odds: Smolka (+125), Borg (-135)
DraftKings Salaries: Smolka- $8,300, Borg- $7,900
Key Statistic: Smolka has a five-inch reach advantage
Smolka and Borg open the main card in a flyweight bout as both look to move up the rankings. Borg missed weight badly though, so his progress may be stunted even with a win.
Smolka is coming off being submitted by Brandon Moreno in a big upset while Borg dropped a decision to Justin Scoggins in his last fight. Smolka has a big advantage in height and reach in this fight, coming in with five inches over Borg in each. Smolka is a good submission artist but he’s had the tendency to get caught when he puts himself in a bad position.
Borg is a solid takedown artist and makes good use of his time in top position. Borg isn’t much of a finisher on his feet and Smolka is the better finisher. Both men have similar wins by submission, and only Smolka has been stopped in his career.
I give the edge in this fight to Smolka, but both men are solid fantasy plays. I feel like this fight will go the distance and it could play a big role in fantasy lineups.
Key Statistic: Hendricks has 55 takedowns in UFC competition, Magny has 34
Hendricks may have his last chance here at getting back into the title picture as he has lost his last two fights and missed weight again. Magny was on a tear at 170 pounds but has seen his momentum stall recently.
Whenever Hendricks has missed weight, it has hindered his performance as there is a noticeable decline. At his best, Hendricks has the hardest punch at 170 pounds, and a huge wrestling game to back that up. Magny also has a strong takedown game, and he uses his length well. He was hurt pretty badly by Lorenz Larkin in his last fight, and Hendricks can finish him if he is at his best.
This is a tossup fight, and both men are close in the odds and in fantasy. I like Hendricks in this one because of the better chance of a finish.
Antonio Carlos Junior (6-2 1 NC) vs. Marvin Vettori (11-2)
Betting Odds: Carlos Junior (-135), Vettori (+125)
DraftKings Salaries: Carlos Junior- $8,100, Vettori- $8,100
Key Statistic: Carlos Junior has five submission wins, Vettori has eight
This is a solid battle of middleweight prospects. Vettori has won six straight fights and is coming in with a lot of momentum. Carlos Junior has struggled with consistency inside the Octagon as the former TUF Brazil winner has just three wins in six UFC appearances. Carlos Junior is big and athletic, has a fully developed game, and his grappling is very good. Vettori has some good takedowns and good submissions has he has submitted eight of his foes.
Vettori has won all eleven of his fights by stoppage and has never been stopped in his career. Carlos Junior, while an excellent grappler, has some deficiencies on his feet, and Vettori could take advantage there. It is almost a tossup in straight betting, and they have even fantasy salaries. Vettori is the better play in this fight as he has the better chance of scoring a finish, but both are solid plays. I feel Vettori has more opportunities for maximum scoring.
Mike Pyle (27-12-1) vs. Alex Garcia (13-3)
Betting Odds: Pyle (+155), Garcia (-175)
DraftKings Salaries: Pyle- $7,600, Garcia- $8,600
Key Statistic: Pyle has been knocked out in five of his seven UFC losses
Pyle is a 41-year-old veteran of the sport, and his career is starting to come to an end. He is looking for one last big win when he takes on Garcia, who has struggled recently inside the Octagon. This is a good bounce back fight for Garcia, but he shouldn’t take Pyle too lightly. Pyle is a very good fighter and he has 23 wins by stoppage on his record, but his chin is starting to let him down as he’s been knocked out in three of his last four losses.
Garcia is an explosive puncher and he has good takedowns, but he shouldn’t take Pyle lightly on the mat. Pyle can win this fight if he can get the fight in the clinch and wear Garcia down. His chin makes him hard to trust, though. I think this is Garcia’s fight to lose, and I’m sensing a knockout happening here. He is the fantasy play in this one.
Key Statistic: Thatch has won all of his fights by stoppage
Thatch was a hot prospect at one time at 170 pounds, but he now finds himself in a must-win situation after losing his last three fights. Price is making his UFC debut on short notice with an undefeated record, and he has a good chance to score an upset. Thatch is a big welterweight and he has explosive striking skills.
All of Thatch’s wins have seen him finish his opponent, with seven wins by knockout and four by submission. If he can find what he’s been missing over the last few years, he is dangerous and this is his fight to lose. Price will try to grapple and find a submission, but he’s far from the level of competition that Thatch has lost to. Thatch has the highest fantasy salary on the card, though I see him winning by a knockout as his striking is too explosive for Price.
Alex Oliveira (16-3-1 1 NC) vs. Tim Means (26-7-1)
This is one of the better fights on the card and opens the show on Fight Pass. Oliveira is going back up to 170 pounds after missing weight badly for a lightweight bout in his last fight, and he has good size to adjust to welterweight. Means is looking to win his third straight after back-to-back knockout wins, running his record to 22 stoppage wins in his 26 overall wins.
Means is aggressive on his feet and he strings together his punches well, and he is dangerous inside the pocket, in the clinch, and on top in the mat. Oliveira has good reach and he has more power on his feet. Oliveira is the better takedown artist, and he is good as well on the ground. This is a really close fight on paper.
Means has more finishing ability, and Oliveira has been submitted twice inside the Octagon. This fight could see a finish in either way, or it could go the distance. It’ll probably go back-and-forth and will be good. I like Means as the better play in this fight as his finishing chances are higher.
Ronda Rousey returns to the Octagon for the first time in a year Friday night and you can see her, women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, men’s bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, challenger Cody Garbrandt and more with the ceremonial UFC 207 weigh-ins.
Rousey was the first person to hit the scales, did so, and then left without posing or waiting for the traditional media pictures.
This year’s New Year’s Weekend show happens on a Friday night and has had little support from Rousey on the promotional front due to a much-discussed media blackout. Garbrandt and Cruz have done their part with Garbrandt and Cruz entourage member Jeremy Stephens getting into a non-filmed skirmish prior to Cruz weighing in.
Expect some separations and vitriol with the weigh-ins Thursday night.
Johny Hendricks and Ray Borg both missed weight at this morning’s actual weigh-ins for UFC 207 in Las Vegas tomorrow.
Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes, who are headlining the show, both made weight. Rousey was walking around at 140 the last few weeks and was right at 135 the past several days. She showed up at the weigh-ins, weighed, and walked off without saying a word.
Hendricks has had multiple issues making weight. He barely made weight at UFC 171 against Robbie Lawler. He got sick trying to cut weight at UFC 192 for a match with Tyron Woodley. He missed weight at UFC 200 for his most recent fight with Kelvin Gastelum.
Hendricks weighed in at 173.5 for his fight with Neil Magny. He’s been fined 20 percent of his purse to Magny.
Borg weighed in at 129.5 pounds for a fight with Louis Smolka. Smolka has agreed to a financial arrangement with Borg and agreed to the fight.
The public weigh-ins take place at 7 p.m. EST. Rousey will be appearing. At one point there was a question as to whether she would even come to the public weigh-ins.
Actual weigh-in results:
Alex Oliveira (170.5) vs. Tim Means (170)
Brandon Thatch (170) vs. Niko Price (170)
Antonio Carlos Jr. (186) vs. Marvin Vettori (186)
Mike Pyle (170) vs. Alex Garcia (170.5)
Johny Hendricks (173.5) vs. Nell Magny (171)
Louis Smolka (125.5) vs. Ray Borg (129.5)
Dong Hyun Kim (171) vs. Tarec Saffiedine (171)
T.J. Dillashaw (136) vs. John Lineker (135.25)
Dominick Cruz (135) vs,. Cody Garbrandt (135) for welterweight title
Amanda Nunes (135) vs. Ronda Rousey (135) for women’s welterweight title
Here’s video from MMAFighting.com of Hendricks missing weight:
The 20-year-run of Mike Goldberg as the lead play-by-play announcer with the UFC will end Friday night with UFC 207.
A number of outlets reported the news and Dana White confirmed that Friday would be Goldberg’s last event with the company. Goldberg leaving had been reported by us weeks ago when White noted that they were negotiating for his replacement publicly. The only name that has been brought up is Jim Rome, and it was Chael Sonnen who claimed that was the name.
White today said he hoped to reach a deal by July with the new announcer, who would work primarily with Joe Rogan, who WME-IMG wants to keep.
Goldberg started with UFC in 1997. In 2001, UFC interviewed people regarding replacing him and then decided to stay with him. In 2005, Goldberg was going to be hired by WWE to replace Jim Ross on Raw, but part of the deal was to no-show a live UFC event and start on Raw that same night (UFC and WWE were going head-to-head) and Goldberg ultimately turned down that deal.
As part of the deal, Goldberg was going to have to change his name because at the time, Vince McMahon hated Bill Goldberg so much he didn’t want anyone named Goldberg on Raw.
Goldberg had been the lead announcer on PPVs and FOX shows. Jon Anik had been used as the lead announcer on most of the other shows, along with John Gooden, who handles most of the European shows.
With UFC ready to close out a most eventful year this Friday, we needed a great guest to help unpack the giant suitcase of topics that is UFC 207. Helping Josh Nason with those duties on the 58th edition of Josh Nason’s Punch-Out is MMAjunkie.com editor and past guest Dann Stupp.
Josh and Dann talked for 45 minutes with highlights including:
– Dann’s thoughts on the year that was
– Ronda Rousey’s media blackout this week and how it’s affecting her, the sport, and the way in which sites like MMAJunkie cover the show
– Rousey’s prospects against the champion Amanda Nunes
– The expectations for Dominick Cruz vs. Cody Garbrandt and how Garbrandt could pull off the upset
– The situation behind Cain Velasquez getting pulled off the show
– The overlooked greatness that should be John Lineker vs. TJ Dillashaw
The holiday weekend wasn’t particularly festive for the UFC, as Christmas Eve brought a blow to next Friday’s UFC 207 card.
After days of rumors, ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported that Cain Velasquez is out of his previously scheduled fight against Fabricio Werdum after being pulled by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for medical reasons.
Velasquez took to Twitter after the news broke to express confusion about being pulled from the card. He said that he hadn’t heard that he was off the show and that he had been cleared by his doctor, but Okamoto then tweeted that NSAC executive director Bob Bennett had confirmed on the record that Velasquez’s license had been suspended because of the medical issue.
“Based on medical records, interviews and the best judgment of Chairman Anthony Marnell, Attorney General J. Brin Gibson, the executive director’s office and our physicians, in an effort to protect the heal and safety of the athletes, it’s been determined Cain Velasquez is unfit to fight,” said the commission.
“The financial incentive for fighters to compete is strongly compelling, and it is the responsibility and obligation of this commission to intervene when excessive risks are evident. It’s obvious Mr. Velasquez is physically compromised and competing would place him in significant physical risk.”
The status of the fight was put into question earlier this week with speculation that Velasquez had pulled out of the bout. Dave Meltzer noted in Thursday’s daily update that those rumors weren’t true, but that the former heavyweight champion had a back injury that would require surgery after the fight. The surgery was scheduled for January 4th.
Velasquez addressed the rumors and his injury status yesterday in an interview with Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting, where he said that the UFC asked him to get further clearance after he had revealed the injury.
Ronda Rousey’s return to the Octagon for the first time in over a year after her loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 headlines next Friday’s card in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rousey will challenge Amanda Nunes for the women’s bantamweight championship. Dominick Cruz will put his bantamweight title on the line against Cody Garbrandt in the semi-main event.
Velasquez vs. Werdum was scheduled to be the third fight from the top with the winner becoming the most likely challenger for heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. It would’ve been the second fight between the two after Velasquez lost to Werdum at UFC 188 in his first fight back after a lengthy absence due to a knee injury.
UPDATE: In a statement, the UFC said that UFC 207 will proceed with 10 fights now that Velasquez vs. Werdum is off the card. That means that Werdum won’t get a replacement opponent.
Ronda Rousey, the biggest female star in combat sports history, said today that her career is near its completion.
Appearing on the Ellen DeGeneres show, when asked how much longer the 29-year-old Rousey will fight, she replied, “Not that long. This is definitely one of my last fights. I want everybody to watch. The show isn’t going to be around forever.”
Rousey will challenge UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes in the main event of a December 30th show at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, that also includes Dominick Cruz defending his bantawmeight title against Cody Garbrant, Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdum, Johny Hendricks vs. Neil Magny and Matt Brown vs. Tarec Saffiedien as the PPV lineup.
While most expected Rousey had only a few fights left, and that if she lost it would be her last fight, she was a huge revenue driver for UFC and a key reason for the record breaking profits in 2015, where she fought three times.
An interesting note regarding UFC 207, is that tickets, which go on sale to Fight Club members on Wednesday and to the public on Friday, are priced at $600, $300, $200, $150, $90 and $75 before service charges. That’s way down in pricing from the previous shows in the arena. It would be the company’s third show at T Mobile, and neither UFC 200, with Brock Lesnar and the most loaded show ever in Las Vegas, and UFC 202, with Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz in one of the most anticipated fights in company history, were able to sell the arena out.
The McGregor vs. Diaz fight sold 12,657 tickets and had 14,060 total in the building for a gate of $7,620,010, with ticket pries roughly double what they are charging for 12/30.
It’s a major mistake if Rousey is only doing one or two fights to have put the show on December 30th, a Friday night, because the last time UFC ran on a Friday night, on December 30, 2011, with Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem, the show did 530,000 buys on PPV, down a significant number from what the show would have been expected to do on a Saturday night.
The biggest star in women’s mixed martial arts history is making her return to the Octagon.
Dana White announced during an in-studio appearance on the Colin Cowherd show that Ronda Rousey would make her much anticipated return to the UFC later this year on December 30th. Rousey will immediately challenge Amanda Nunes for the women’s bantamweight title at UFC 207 in Las Vegas, NV
Nunes defeated Miesha Tate to win the title in the main event of UFC 200 earlier this year. The Rousey fight will be her first title defense.
It has been a longer than expected road back to the Octagon for Rousey after her loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 nearly a year ago. Rousey was dropped by a now iconic head kick in the second round before being finished with punches as Holm picked up the shocking victory.
White was questioned by Cowherd about Cris “Cyborg” Justino facing Rousey, and said that they both want the fight and it will definitely happen if Rousey is victorious against Nunes.
Before the loss to Holm, Rousey had amassed a series of quick victories that led to her becoming one of the biggest crossover stars in MMA history. The only fighter other than Holm to ever take Rousey past the first round was Tate at UFC 168.
Also during the appearance, White said that Conor McGregor told him that he never wants to fight in Nevada again after being fined $150,000 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Tuesday. McGregor was fined for his bottle-throwing incident at the press conference prior to his UFC 202 rematch against Nate Diaz.
Video of White’s appearance the Cowherd show is available to watch below:
