Greetings, folks!
What was expected to be a relatively calm pay-per-view weekend turned out to be eventful, with several significant occurrences at UFC 289. Amanda Nunes successfully defended her bantamweight title against Irene Aldana before announcing her retirement. Charles Oliveira delivered an impressive performance against Beneil Dariush, leaving the lightweight title picture uncertain. Additionally, many Canadian fighters showcased their skills in Vancouver. Today, we’ll delve into what transpired at UFC 289 and discuss what lies ahead.
Amanda Nunes’ Illustrious Career
We discussed this topic over the weekend, and it’s worth noting that Nunes’ career is quite unique. Despite being regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time, her fights often lacked memorable moments or “greatness.” Most of her bouts were either one-sided beatdowns or lackluster affairs, primarily due to her fighting style.
Nunes isn’t the most technically proficient fighter in the cage—several women possess superior skills in various areas. However, she combines skill and physicality in a way that sets her apart in women’s MMA. For instance, Germaine de Randamie had the upper hand in striking, but Nunes relied on her grappling prowess to secure victory. Valentina Shevchenko may excel in technical aspects, but Nunes’ physicality proved to be the deciding factor. Although Julianna Peña proved to be a tough opponent, Nunes overwhelmed her in their rematch through sheer power.
Nunes didn’t showcase awe-inspiring masterclasses; instead, she displayed overwhelming dominance that somehow left a lesser imprint in our memory compared to other all-time greats. If I were to select five significant fights from Nunes’ career, I’d go with Miesha Tate, Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, Cris Cyborg, and Megan Anderson. These performances were dominant and came against some of the most prominent names in women’s MMA history, including Megan Anderson.
As for the women’s featherweight division, I anticipate its closure before the end of the month. It has always been somewhat questionable, with the UFC even failing to establish official rankings for it. The only reason it existed was to allow Nunes to continue her reign as a “two-division champion” and perhaps to spite Cyborg. However, the former is no longer necessary, and the latter isn’t a sufficient motive to perpetuate this charade.
What’s Next in Women’s Bantamweight?
To be blunt, no one truly stands out as deserving the next shot in the horrendous women’s bantamweight division. Don’t just take my word for it. Now that Nunes has retired, Raquel Pennington holds the longest win streak in the division with five victories. Mayra Bueno Silva follows at three wins. No one is emerging as the clear next contender.
Having said that, Pennington is undeniably next in line. She has done everything necessary to earn another title shot. In my opinion, the winner of the Holm vs. Silva fight should be considered a suitable candidate, but I have a strong suspicion that it will be Pennington facing off against Julianna Peña for the championship. Let’s go, Rocky!
Irene Aldana’s Performance
Well, that was a disappointing showing from Aldana, wasn’t it? Those who believed in the “Mexican takeover” must be sorely disappointed.
Aldana landed only 57 significant strikes at a 28 percent accuracy rate, which is abysmal by any measure. Even her coaches pleaded with her to fight harder at each corner break, but she failed to deliver. This might be a decision she regrets for the rest of her career.
When you step into a title bout against the greatest women’s fighter of all time, you know it’s an uphill battle; becoming a GOAT is no fluke. The best challengers either remain oblivious to their opponent’s greatness (like Peña) or accept that a significant portion of the fight will be tough and push forward regardless (think Alexa Grasso). What you shouldn’t do is show excessive respect to the champion, as Aldana did. She was hesitant from the start, allowing Nunes to gain momentum, and once Nunes found her rhythm, Aldana never stood a chance.
Julianna Peña’s Fortunate Position
Honestly, Peña emerges as a winner in all of this.
Peña is now likely to secure a title shot, and she’ll forever be known as the woman who defeated prime Amanda Nunes. If Aldana had upset Nunes, the narrative surrounding Peña’s victory might have shifted from “impressive” to “Nunes on the decline.” Now, Peña holds that victory indefinitely, and she doesn’t have to face Nunes again!
I understand Peña’s belief that she’s better than Nunes, but as an objective observer, I can assure you that she’s mistaken. A rematch with Nunes would only result in her suffering greater brain trauma and dismissing her lone victory as a fluke. Peña is arguably the second-biggest winner of the weekend.
Charles Oliveira’s Triumph
Regarding the first question, the answer is a definitive no. However, when it comes to the second question, Charles Oliveira has a strong case.
Let’s begin by acknowledging that Oliveira boasts an impressive résumé. For 13 years, he has been dispatching opponents in spectacular fashion, continuously improving his skills. Yet, in terms of having the “greatest lightweight résumé,” Oliveira falls short—for now. A significant portion of his career was spent at 145 pounds, and his noteworthy lightweight accomplishments primarily occurred in recent years. While his current run is exceptional, it doesn’t surpass Khabib Nurmagomedov’s résumé at the moment. Additionally, when we consider past lightweight greats like Eddie Alvarez, Oliveira’s standing isn’t quite on par, at least for now.
Regarding Oliveira being the most dangerous UFC fighter statistically, that statement holds true. He holds the record for the most finishes in promotional history, a record he is likely to extend further. However, we must consider his losses. While Oliveira has the most stoppage wins in UFC history, he is also among the leaders in stoppage losses. Eight different opponents have managed to save him from defeat, putting him in the company of fighters like Donald Cerrone and Andrei Arlovski. This is a rather damning statistic. So, while Oliveira certainly poses a threat to his opponents, he himself is often in significant danger.
Lightweight Title Picture
In October, the UFC will return to Abu Dhabi, and it is highly probable that Islam Makhachev will defend his 155-pound title there. Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje are set to face each other at the end of July, and their brutal clash may warrant a title shot. However, the timeline may not align. Therefore, Oliveira is the likely contender for the next title shot.
If circumstances somehow change, and the UFC takes a different course, or Makhachev sustains an injury, an obvious alternative opponent for “Do Bronx” would be Alexander Volkanovski. If Volk emerges victorious against Yair Rodriguez, he will undoubtedly push for a lightweight title shot. However, he hasn’t earned it. Having zero wins at lightweight and losing to the champ before returning to featherweight and winning again doesn’t merit a rematch. Volkanovski should defend his featherweight belt against the next contender. Unless he decides to move up to lightweight for a No. 1 contender bout, where he must secure a legitimate victory against a former champion, only then would his case be undeniable. That’s the matchup I’d like to see.
Mike Malott’s Promising Future
Mike Malott put on a dominant display against Adam Fugitt on Saturday, much to the delight of Vancouver fans. The UFC strategically placed him in a prime spot on the pay-per-view card to assess his potential as a star in the Canadian market, and he delivered exceptionally. Now the UFC knows they have a promising talent on their hands, and they’ll likely elevate him accordingly. Considering that Malott is already 31 and competes in a stacked weight class, he needs to make his move soon. Therefore, I believe his next fight will be against a more notable opponent.
Flyweights’ Rising Talent
While it’s uncertain whether they’ll propel him to the top, the UFC will definitely evaluate his abilities.
Stephen Erceg, a 27-year-old newcomer, achieved a remarkable feat by defeating David Dvorak, the No. 14 flyweight according to MMA Hook, on short notice. However, it’s important to note that Dvorak held that ranking not necessarily due to his incredible skills but rather because the division still lacks depth. Dvorak lost to the top contenders he faced, and Erceg’s victory might be a result of Dvorak’s inflated ranking.
Only time will reveal Erceg’s true potential. With the UFC heading back to Sydney in September, it’s likely that “Astro Boy” will receive a call to fight, especially considering he will be ranked in the UFC’s official rankings. His next opponent will probably be another ranked flyweight.
Thank you for reading, and a special thanks to everyone who sent in their Tweets! If you have any burning questions about combat sports or related topics, send them to me, @JedKMeshew, as Hot Tweets, and I’ll gladly provide answers. Whether they’re topical or downright insane, let’s have some fun!
