The UFC invaded Saitama, Japan, Saturday with UFC Fight Night 52, a fight card headlined by a heavyweight clash between massive power punchers Roy Nelson and Mark Hunt.
From start to finish, the card delivered, showcasing everything that makes mixed martial arts such an intriguing and electrifying sport. Fans were treated to quick knockouts, savvy submissions and everything in between throughout the evening, resulting in an enjoyable and memorable slate of fights.
While results are generally black and white—one fighter wins and one fighter loses—moral victories and bigger-picture developments exist in the sport, and UFC Fight Night 52 exhibited plenty of each.
Let’s take a step beyond these immediate results and examine the real winners and losers from this impressive event.