If you weren’t aware of UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson, I am here to tell you he is pound for pound the best MMA fighter on the planet. It is very interesting to say that the best in the world in somehow underappreciated but he has quietly become one of the greatest ever. Everything he does in the octagon, from his accurate boxing to his footwork to his dominant wrestling, is textbook.
“John Dodson said I was garbage, I’m boring, I’m bad for the division,” Johnson said. “Look at my face, I’m prettier than a motherf—–. That’s what technique will get you.”
After a victory like that, enough said.
With the conclusion of UFC 191, there are some questions that could be answered in the coming months as the UFC books upcoming fights for the winners and losers in this PPV main card.
Demetrious Johnson (C) def. John Dodson via Unanimous Decision
As I stated before, Demetrious Johnson is a wizard in the Octagon. He used all of his tools, most notably his warrior cardio, to outclass his opponent. It was pretty evenly matched to start, but John Dodson gassed quickly, and it was academic from there. Johnson is the perfect, albeit another polarizing, champion. On one hand, there are those who treat Johnson like he’s the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in the sport while speaking about his technique. On the other hand, he is probably one of the lowest PPV main event draws in the UFC. With Ronda Rousey, it wasn’t hard for me to pinpoint her polarization (check out the article). With “Mighty Mouse” (stupid nickname) Johnson, I honestly do not know. He has beaten everyone in the Division, there are no clear challengers in the weak division, so the best move for him is to move up to Bantamweight and face TJ Dillishaw for his title. That would be “Fight of the Year” candidate.
Andrei Arlovski def. Frank Mir via Unanimous Decision
You know that feeling when you are looking forward to something for a long time? After years, it finally happens and the anticipation for said event is killing you. Then the event happens, and your reaction is….”Really? REALLY?”
That is how I am feeling about this fight. These fighters are two of the greatest heavyweights ever and this highly anticipated matchup largely disappointed. The fight was mostly spent in the clinch. A simple explanation is that the clinch is when fighters are extremely close to each other. It will sometimes look like they’re hugging. The exchanged punches and elbows from the clinch in the first round. In the second round Mir took Arlosvki down and worked his ground and pound from there. The third round was much like the first and thankfully it didn’t go into championship rounds (fourth-rounds and fifth-rounds only reserved for title fights and main events). So dispite this terrible fight, Arlovski-winner of 6 straight-will likely be the next challenger for the Heavyweight title after Cain Velasquez.
Anthony Johnson def. Jimi Manus via KO
If you remember my last piece, I made a baseball analogy regarding Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. Long story short, he hit a home run. (refer to my last post). Not much needs to be said here except “Rumble” has scary knockout power. He will likely sit back and watch the Rashad Evans-Ryan Bader matchup and face the loser, since the winner will get an immediate title shot.
Corey Anderson def. Jan Błachowicz via Unanimous Decision
This could be considered attempted murder in some states. And the referee could be an accomplice for not stopping this beat down sooner. Anderson took Jan down…..and that was it. Vicious ground-and-pound from the beginning. “Beatdown of the Year” Candidate.
Paige VanZant def. Alex Chambers via Submission (armbar)
I was skeptical about VanZant from the start. The UFC has given her opponents that have no business fighting. With that said, she is constantly improving her game. And, she has “Star Power” written all over her. One reporter called her the younger Ronda Rousey.
Timeout! Pause! Whoa!
She still has much to learn and a long way to go before she can ever think of competing with the likes of strawweight champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Chambers clearly was no match for VanZant. She was breathing heavily early in the first round and was completely gassed by the early stages of the second. While VanZant has some room for growth, I think it is now time to give her a top 10 opponent. I said it already; if she continues at this rate, I will be time to start talking title shot.
