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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC history was made on Saturday night as Ronda Rousey won the first ever women's MMA fight inside the Octagon. Her bout with Liz Carmouche capped off a very up an down night of fights, but for the most part it was an enjoyable night of fights with some very big high points. Here's what's sticking with me out of the event:
--That was perhaps the most perfect debut for the first women's division in MMA that the UFC could have hoped for. Not only did Rousey come out on top, she did so while fighting through the greatest adversity she's ever faced. Carmouche gained a ton for her thrilling near-win, and even though she ultimately succumbed to that armbar - like so many have before her - it was in a thrilling, crazy fight that showed them both as legitimate competitors who deserve the respect of all. It was a fight that not only showcased that the entertainment value for women's MMA is on par with the men, but that the top star can talk her game and back it up with heart and determination. It was fascinating to watch, and a fantastic debut for Rousey and the UFC.
--Lyoto Machida edged past Dan Henderson in what was probably the worst possible way to do so. A three round fight lacking in action and with an argument that he lost two of the rounds doesn't inspire excitement for a rematch against Jon Jones, and if I were the UFC that's not the fight I'd book next. I'd look more at Alexander Gustafsson if he beats Gegard Mousasi or Daniel Cormier if he comes down. Machida off of that win doesn't make sense given the fact he's been stopped by Jones already.
--In what might be another questionable title fight, Urijah Faber just may be in line yet again. His domination of Ivan Menjivar keeps him in the spot of the most qualified for a fight with Renan Barao if Dominick Cruz isn't ready to go this summer. While it may not be a thrilling idea to too many, there's no doubt that Faber is still elite at 135 lbs. Losing five round decisions has become too common for him, but it might be time for him to buck the trend.
--Court McGee looked solid at welterweight, but his instincts in that first round - and his follow up in the second and third - left a lot to be decided. He had Neer hurt badly with strikes to the body, and though he seemed to recognize it initially, he didn't continue attacking the body. That led to the fight continuing, and he allowed Neer to get back in the fight in the second round. He continued landing a heavy output of strikes, but the attack stopped focusing on the body, when he could have done some serious damage had he kept up with the attack to the body.
--Robbie Lawler's TKO over Josh Koscheck is one of those moments that Lawler's had plenty of throughout his career. It's a big, meaningful win, but it's how he follows the win up that will really count. He's been so inconsistent for so much of his recent career that it's impossible to say whether this was the start of a new run for him, or just another one of the high points in a career filled with peaks and valleys. As for Koscheck, if his friend and teammate Jon Fitch was "too expensive" for the UFC to keep on despite his record, Koscheck's time in the UFC may be coming to an end as well. He's lost two in a row, three of his last five, and he's looked bad in three straight fights as well. With the UFC cutting a lot of fighters in the coming months, he's may just be on the chopping block.
--Onto the prelims, the less said about Schaub-Johnson, the better. Brendan Schaub did what he had to do to pick up a win after two straight losses, but that didn't make it fun to watch. And a lot of that blame lies on Lavar Johnson as well, who couldn't get up from his back when he was taken down. That allowed Schaub to stay on top with little offense.
--Michael Chiesa's got a knack for flipping a switch in fights he's losing and pulling off crazy and impressive submissions. He did just that against Anton Kuivanen, who was looking solid through the first round+ before Chiesa got his back, dragged him down, and choked him out.
-Dennis Bermudez and Matt Grice had one of those fights that you'll just remember for how insane that final round was. And even though the judges had him up into the third round, it was very possible that Bermudez was losing into the final frame. Because of that, the way he went for broke in the third was even more admirable. Far too often you see fighters with zero sense of urgency in fights they absolutely must finish after fairly clear scores in opening rounds, and Bermudez showed what can happen in a fight you're losing or that is at best up for grabs.
--Last thing I want to comment on is Kenny Robertson and that sick leg submission over Brock Jardine. It was such a unique position, but he showed off his chops in being able to find that hold and extend that leg in nasty fashion. It was an incredibly unique move, and anytime you can keep Joe Rogan at a loss for words as to what you've pulled off, that's a special moment.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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