The UFC returned to the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California this Saturday to host UFC on FOX 7.
The main event featured a bout with non-stop action between UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson and former Strikeforce title holder Gilbert Melendez and the result was not without some controversy.
Decision wins were a rarity on this occasion, as the event tied the UFC record of eight knockouts (in 12 bouts), so it seemed fitting that two “Knockout of the Night” bonuses were handed out, especially since no one earned a submission victory on the card.
Statement wins were standard procedure on this nationally televised event, so let’s take a look at the biggest winner and losers from UFC on FOX 7.
BIGGEST WINNER
Josh Thompson – This is a very tough call given what an incredible success this show was, but the 34-year-old Thompson was expected to win a close decision over the always durable Nate Diaz at best.
Instead, “The Punk” outstruck the Stockton bad boy with a versatile array of kicks, mixing in some takedowns and elbows, before he dropped Diaz with a headkick and swarmed him with ground and pound so brutal his corner threw in the towel.
Thompson entered this match up just 3-3 in his past six fights, but he showed he is still a true lightweight contender by being the first fighter to ever knockout Diaz.
WINNER
Matt Brown – Remember when “The Immortal” could get submitted by pretty much anyone and was a middle of the road fighter on his best day?
Apparently, neither does Matt Brown. Brown’s vicious TKO over rising prospect Jordan Mein gives him a five-fight win streak, with only one of those bouts going the distance.
WINNER
Benson Henderson – While a lot of fans and analyst (once again) may not have agreed with the decision, “Bendo” tied BJ Penn’s UFC lightweight record with his third successful title defense over Gilbert Melendez.
If nothing else, Henderson has proven no one at 155-pounds can grapple with him and his striking is good enough to hang with anyone.
WINNER
Yoel Romero – One of two fighters to receive a $50,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus, the former Olympic-level wrestler scored with a beautiful flying knee in his UFC and middleweight debut.
Needless, to say he made short work of Clifford Starks in the process. Romero may never be a contender with just a 5-1 record at 35-years-old, but he sure is going to be fun to watch each time he steps into the cage.
HONORABLE MENTION
Team Alpha Male – TJ Dillashaw, Joseph Benavidez and Chad Mendes all scored first round knockouts on Saturday night, steamrolling their respective opponents.
It’s rare that a team is that successful on any given night, so kudos to them and new striking coach Duane “Bang” Ludwig.
BIGGEST LOSER
Nate Diaz – Another tough call as there were numerous brutal finishes inside the Octagon Saturday, but none were as disappointing and shocking as the one suffered by Nate Diaz.
After getting brutally outclassed by divisional champ Benson Henderson at UFC on FOX 5 in December, Diaz needed a win over a respectable name to get back into the title conversation.
That didn’t happen, as Thompson had his game figured out from the opening bell. Diaz mentioned a return to welterweight during fight week, which is a terrible idea regardless what happened against “The Punk.”
LOSER
Frank Mir – It’s been a long time the former UFC heavyweight champion has succeeded on the biggest stage and Saturday was another example of him coming up short.
Since July 2009, Mir is 0-3 when fighting for the belt and has now dropped two in a row following the loss to Daniel Cormier. Mir’s jiu-jitsu will always be elite at heavyweight, but he has little else to offer at this point in his career.
LOSER
Darren Elkins – Chad “Money” Mendes was supposed to embarrass Darren Elkins, especially with “The Damage” taking the fight on short notice.
So why is Elkins in this category? Days before the fight, he said he wanted a title fight with a win over Mendes. Talk about jumping the gun.
LOSER
Jordan Mein – The Jordan Mein hype train was definitively derailed by Matt Brown. After a nasty TKO over Dan Miller at UFC 158 last month, “Young Gun” made a mistake by taking a fight with Brown on less than a month’s notice.
Mein will always be immensely fun to watch and probably hasn’t reached his full potential yet at 23-years-old, but the talk of him as the next dominant champion in the UFC was a bit premature.