While looking through the lense of hindsight, it’s almost impossible to imagine how Paige VanZant was ever listed as a 2-to-1 favorite over Rose Namajunas heading into their Fight Night 80 main event. Yet she was, and we can only imagine that a lot of people made some money off a rare miss by the Vegas bookies.
Over the course of five rounds, our girl Rose utterly dismantled VanZant in every department. Her striking was impeccably crisp, her takedowns came at will, and her submissions were what ultimately won her the day. Vanzant looked completely outmatched from start to finish, repeatedly latching onto to hapless headlock throws THAT NO FIGHTER SHOULD EVER ATTEMPT AGAIN. But what she lacked in polish, VanZant more than made up in grit. On multiple occasions throughout the fight, a bloodied and battered Vanzant appeared to be caught in what any logical person would consider a fight-ending submission — first it was a rear-naked choke, then an armbar so brutal that it may have rearranged her DNA — but not once did she stop pressing forward and throwing nything she could think of at her clearly superior opponent. So on this day, we raise a glass to both competitors and say, congratulations on one epic goddamn war.
But the main event wasn’t the only fight that delivered, so head after the jump for a full list of Fight Night 80 results.
While looking through the lense of hindsight, it’s almost impossible to imagine how Paige VanZant was ever listed as a 2-to-1 favorite over Rose Namajunas heading into their Fight Night 80 main event. Yet she was, and we can only imagine that a lot of people made some money off a rare miss by the Vegas bookies.
Over the course of five rounds, our girl Rose utterly dismantled VanZant in every department. Her striking was impeccably crisp, her takedowns came at will, and her submissions were what ultimately won her the day. Vanzant looked completely outmatched from start to finish, repeatedly latching onto to hapless headlock throws THAT NO FIGHTER SHOULD EVER ATTEMPT AGAIN. But what she lacked in polish, VanZant more than made up in grit. On multiple occasions throughout the fight, a bloodied and battered Vanzant appeared to be caught in what any logical person would consider a fight-ending submission — first it was a rear-naked choke, then an armbar so brutal that it may have rearranged her DNA — but not once did she stop pressing forward and throwing nything she could think of at her clearly superior opponent. So on this day, we raise a glass to both competitors and say, congratulations on one epic goddamn war.
But the main event wasn’t the only fight that delivered, so head after the jump for a full list of Fight Night 80 results.
In the co-main event of the evening, TUF Live winner Michael Chiesa took on the always game veteran Jim Miller in a back-and-forth banger so sweet that it managed to snatch “Fight of the Night” awards away from Namajunas vs. VanZant. Sadly, it’s starting to look like the younger of the Miller brothers is also starting to lose a little pep in his step, and worse, he’s more vulnerable to the submission than he’s ever been in his career. Given, he’s only been submitted three times in the past three years (well, two if we exclude the Healy fight) and only by insanely talented grapplers, but it’s kind of like how Dan Henderson went from an iron-jawed beast to a guy who gets shut down the first time he’s hit almost every fight.
In any case, enjoy these Chiesa-Miller highlights set to some blasting EDM, because the UFC is too cheap to provide embeddable highlights for their Fight Pass Events.
Finally on the highlight front, here’s Sage Northcutt‘s finish of Cody Pfister in the second round of their main card scrap. Oh, you hadn’t predicted that Sage Northcutt would beat a guy whose last name is Pfister and whose nickname is “The Pfist”? You silly, silly sonofabitch, you.
The complete Fight Night 80 results are below.
Main card
Rose Namajunas def. Paige VanZant via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:25 of R5
Michael Chiesa def. Jim Miller via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:57 of R2
Sage Northcutt def. Cody Pfister via submission (guillotine) at :41 of R2
Thiago Santos def. Elias Theodorou via unanimous decision
Undercard
Tim Means def. John Howard via KO (left hook) at :21 of R2
Omari Akhmedov def. Sergio Moraes via TKO (punches) at 2:18 of R3
Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Kevin Casey ends in no contest (eye poke) at :11 of R1
Aljamain Sterling def. Johnny Eduardo via submission (guillotine) at 4:18 of R2
Santiago Ponzinibbio def. Andreas Stahl via TKO (punches) at 4:25 of R1
Danny Roberts def. Nathan Coy via submission (triangle) at 2:46 of R1
Zubaira Tukhugov def. Phillipe Nover via split decision
Kailin Curran def. Emily Kagan via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:13 of R2
Did you guys know that Jose Aldo had a biographical film about his life coming out? Well, I didn’t, and I pretty much know everything about MMA these days (excluding fight dates, title holders, and 80% of the rosters on Fight Pass cards).
Well, he does, and it’s called “Mais forte que o mundo – A história de Jose Aldo” or Stronger Than the World – The Jose Aldo Story (sounds like someone’s been ripping off Chad Dundas, no?). Chronicling Aldo’s rise from the slums of Brazil to his championship runs in the WEC and UFC, Stronger Than the World takes an interesting approach to Aldo’s story by a) casting someone that looks nothing like him and b) delving into Jose Aldo: gifted lover. Also, they throw a Showtime Kick in there, because apparently Aldo did that and we’re all just remembering it wrong.
Did you guys know that Jose Aldo had a biographical film about his life coming out? Well, I didn’t, and I pretty much know everything about MMA these days (excluding fight dates, title holders, and 80% of the rosters on Fight Pass cards).
Well, he does, and it’s called “Mais forte que o mundo – A história de Jose Aldo” or Stronger Than the World – The Jose Aldo Story (sounds like someone’s been ripping off Chad Dundas, no?). Chronicling Aldo’s rise from the slums of Brazil to his championship runs in the WEC and UFC, Stronger Than the World takes an interesting approach to Aldo’s story by a) casting someone that looks nothing like him and b) delving into Jose Aldo: gifted lover. Also, they throw a Showtime Kick in there, because apparently Aldo did that and we’re all just remembering it wrong.
Trailer after the jump.
Honestly, this whole trailer could have just been a reenactment of Jose buying his first suit and we would’ve been sold, but this’ll do just fine. Could’ve used a little more slo-mo, though. (<—-sarcasm. It felt 4 hours long.)
Jose Aldo: Never Back Down is set for a 2016 release, but will probably pull out a few months before and come out sometime in 2017.
The MMA gods have, for the most part, safely guided one of the most stacked cards in UFC history to fruition. Amidst those ever-prevalent claims of oversaturation, the UFC have mustered up an ubercard for the ages. Featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo will finally defend his title against interim champion Conor McGregor. Middleweight champion Chris Weidman takes on No.1 contender Luke Rockhold in the co-main event. Then you’ve got Romero vs. Souza, Maia vs. Nelson…the list goes on and on.
Nation, it’s been an emotional journey. An unprecedented world media tour. Fractured ribs. Interim titles. More heated staredowns. These have all led to this mammoth main-event. I don’t know about you, but I’m giddy with excitement as months of trash-talking all culminate this weekend. To honour this epic event, I’ve compiled an A-to-Z list previewing each and every aspect of UFC 194. Join me?
The MMA gods have, for the most part, safely guided one of the most stacked cards in UFC history to fruition. Amidst those ever-prevalent claims of oversaturation, the UFC have mustered up an ubercard for the ages. Featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo will finally defend his title against interim champion Conor McGregor. Middleweight champion Chris Weidman takes on No.1 contender Luke Rockhold in the co-main event. Then you’ve got Romero vs. Souza, Maia vs. Nelson…the list goes on and on.
Nation, it’s been an emotional journey. An unprecedented world media tour. Fractured ribs. Interim titles. More heated staredowns. These have all led to this mammoth main-event. I don’t know about you, but I’m giddy with excitement as months of trash-talking all culminate this weekend. To honour this epic event, I’ve compiled an A-to-Z list previewing each and every aspect of UFC 194. Join me?
Rockhold’s stand-up skills pave the way for his buttery smooth ground game. Weidman will have to be wary of the former Strikeforce champions efficiency on the mat.
C is for Coaches
As well as the primed fighters, the two title-bouts also pit masterful coaches against one another in Pederneiras vs. Kavanagh and Longo/Serra vs. Cook/Mendez.
D is for Division I
The middleweight challenger does indeed own a fierce, aggressive jiu-jitsu game, but Weidman brings his Division I wrestling credentials to the table pitting the two noble disciplines.
The main-card will open in style with Max Holloway vs. Jeremy Stephens, a fight that is largely flying under the radar when compared to the simply epic fights that come after it. Come to think of it, the whole card other than Aldo-McGregor is flying under the radar.
Don’t be surprised to see ‘The Notorious’ in movie theatres near you in the future. McGregor claims Hollywood is screaming for him, so let’s hope it doesn’t get to his head like certain other fighters.
I is for Interim
Interim champion McGregor doesn’t want to be labelled as interim champion, which, okayyyyy.
J is for Jiu-Jitsu
Ice-cool Gunnar Nelson will take on the equally stoic Demian Maia. Two of the finest jiu-jitsu practitioners on the planet going head-to-head, which can only mean that a sloppy stand-up war is what will ensue.
K is for Kicks
Rockhold’s kicks > Aldo’s kicks. Yeah, I said it.
L is for Lightweight
Win or lose, is McGregor planning his exit from the featherweight division? He’s stated on numerous occasions about his intentions of challenging for the 155lbs title, and has already talked his way into a fight with the Donald Cerrone-Rafael Dos Anjos lightweight title winner.
M is for Movement
Being a so-called “student of movement” with an obsession over the mechanics of the human anatomy, McGregor linked up with martial art guru Ido Portal recently, as seen in the UFC 194 embedded vlog series, where he polished and further enhanced his range of movements.
N is for Newcomer
Newcomer Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger would make a huge statement in the women’s strawweight division if she could take out the No.5 ranked Tecia Torres.
O is for “Overaggressive”
According to Rockhold, the undefeated champion is “overaggressive” and “clumsy.” Does anyone agree with the challenger’s statement?
P is for Pay
In case you were worried that MMA referees are overpaid, they’re not. ‘Big’ John McCarthy will make a measly $1,900 for reffing Aldo-McGregor. Stay classy, NSAC.
Q is for Quality
The quality of the top three fights goes without saying, but the combined record of those 6 fighters, in case you were wondering? 102-9. Ridiculous.
Aldo’s sneaky-good wrestling, as displayed against Mark Hominick and Chan Sung Jung, coupled with his jiu-jitsu black belt could be his way to victory against McGregor, whose only losses have come on the ground.
Urijah Faber is the pound-for-pound king of headlining prelims. At UFC 194, he’ll be taking on huge underdog Frankie Saenz in the coveted “featured prelim” slot once again.
V is for Vocal
Come fight night, The MGM Grand Garden Arena is going to be a melting pot of vocal Irish and Brazilian fans. Event security is going to have their hands full.
W is for Weapons
It seems fans and critics alike are heavily obsessing over the possible inefficacy of Aldo’s leg-kicks due to McGregor’s southpaw stance. Newsflash: the Brazilian has many other potent weapons in his arsenal like the power in his hands as well as his stellar ground game.
X is for X-Rated
Middleweight champion Chris Weidman recently recalled his worst injury on Huffington Post Live. FYI: It’s penis-related.
(Now that your faith has been proven, young padawan, your final test will require you to reach deep into your subconscious and unlock the last 4 digits and security code of your credit card… via Getty)
Loyalty: Ain’t it a bitch? In some circles, it’s the measure of a man’s (or woman’s) character. In others, the lack of it can be spotted like a snake in the grass. Those who roll together, well, roll together, I guess you could say.
Take Ronda Rousey and her coach, Edmond Tarverdyan, for instance. Without ever having met the guy, the general consensus on him seems to be that he’s not all that great a person. Ronda’s mother hates him, for starters (like, “wouldn’t piss on him were he on fire” hates), and his sketchy credit history/current legal troubles doesn’t exactly paint him as a what you’d call an honest person. As a coach, there’s also the glaring fact that, until she was knocked out by Holly Holm at UFC 193, Ronda Rousey was the *only* UFC fighter to achieve success under his tutelage.
But despite all of this, despite the fact that she won’t even be able to eat an apple for another six months, Rousey let us all know in a recent interview that no, there is no way in Hell she is leaving Tarverdyan’s side at Glendale Fight Club.
(Now that your faith has been proven, young padawan, your final test will require you to reach deep into your subconscious and unlock the last 4 digits and security code of your credit card… via Getty)
Loyalty: Ain’t it a bitch? In some circles, it’s the measure of a man’s (or woman’s) character. In others, the lack of it can be spotted like a snake in the grass. Those who roll together, well, roll together, I guess you could say.
Take Ronda Rousey and her coach, Edmond Tarverdyan, for instance. Without ever having met the guy, the general consensus on him seems to be that he’s not all that great a person. Ronda’s mother hates him, for starters (like, “wouldn’t piss on him were he on fire” hates), and his sketchy credit history/current legal troubles doesn’t exactly paint him as a what you’d call an honest person. As a coach, there’s also the glaring fact that, until she was knocked out by Holly Holm at UFC 193, Ronda Rousey was the *only* UFC fighter to achieve success under his tutelage.
But despite all of this, despite the fact that she won’t even be able to eat an apple for another six months, Rousey let us all know in a recent interview that no, there is no way in Hell she is leaving Tarverdyan’s side at Glendale Fight Club.
“Of course I’m staying [with coach Tarverdyan],” Rousey told ESPN. “That’s my mom’s opinion, not mine.”
Holm must be ecstatic.
But really, it’s too soon for any of us to say that Rousey’s decision is definitively wrong, easy as it may seem. Maybe Tarverdyan has the kind of coaching style that works perfect for Rousey and simply not for anyone else. Maybe his insistence that Ronda was “doing beautifully” in between the first and second rounds of her UFC 193 title fight after we all saw her get absolutely tooled by Holm for five minutes was some kind of psychological trick designed to get her mind back on track. Maybe the banks all botched some paperwork and have him confused with Edward Targowski, the Scottish prosecutor turned Queen’s Council in 1989*, which seems like an easy enough mistake to make.
In any case, Ronda Rousey doesn’t owe us an explanation for her ceaseless loyalty, because it’s not like she looks for that in others, if the rumors have any truth to them. So we say bravo, Ronda! You may or may not get your teeth permanently shattered in the rematch, but at least no one will be able to call you a snake in the grass through a thick Irish accent. And really, that’s what matters most at the end of the day.
*That joke took a lot of effort and research, dammit, so you better appreciate it.
A few months back, we passed along a video of a supremely arrogant Super Fight League champion (well, former Super Fight League champion now) named Jason Solomon receiving his comeuppance in the form of a vicious 9 second knockout to challenger Amitesh Chaubey at SFL 43. The video went viral shortly thereafter, as most depictions of karmatic justice are sure to, and eventually wound up in the hands of Ozzy Man, an Australian comedian/entertainer known for compiling hilarious running commentaries of everything from Classic Dad Saves to Animal Fights to Burning Man.
Anyways, Ozzy Man decided to lend his voiceover talents to Solomon vs. Chaubey yesterday, and the results were some must-see Internet.
A few months back, we passed along a video of a supremely arrogant Super Fight League champion (well, former Super Fight League champion now) named Jason Solomon receiving his comeuppance in the form of a vicious 9 second knockout to challenger Amitesh Chaubey at SFL 43. The video went viral shortly thereafter, as most depictions of karmatic justice are sure to, and eventually wound up in the hands of Ozzy Man, an Australian comedian/entertainer known for compiling hilarious running commentaries of everything from Classic Dad Saves to Animal Fights to Burning Man.
Anyways, Ozzy Man decided to lend his voiceover talents to Solomon vs. Chaubey yesterday, and the results were some must-see Internet.
Ozzy Man Reviews: Solomon vs Chaubay Me critical analysis of a cocky vs focused MMA fighter. A work of Fair Use, but let’s see if that gets honoured this time (opposed to the Rousey takedown). Cordially, Ozzy Man Reviews
(:33) “I like his keys to victory: Avoids Damage, Uses His Reach, Takes It To The Ground, essentially how I’d fight when I was six years old. Liked to lock meself into the end of the couch and bicycle kick me older brotha.”
(:51) “His mind is still very much focused on the Sheilas in the crowd, making sure he can secure a post-match gobby.”
(1:30) “Solomon is down, he’s fuckin’ knocked out in 9 seconds. The bloke whose mind is on the job wins. That does make a lot of sense in hindsight.”
Brilliant stuff all around, especially for someone who will giggle at damn near anything with an Aussie accent. Head over to Ozzy Man’s Facebook page for more.
But before they do, how about one last video to send your anticipation levels through the damn roof?
If you haven’t seen it already, the UFC’s latest Embedded episode on McGregor vs. Aldo is a must-see ahead of this weekend’s UFC 194 main event. Chronicling both fighters rise from rags to riches, the UFC 189 media tour (and Aldo’s subsequent withdrawal), and their incredible training regimens, UFC 194 Embedded is arguably the crowning achievement of the series. A credit is due to the UFC for really stepping it up in regards to the production value and somehow getting us more excited for this fight than we previously thought possible. Bravo, ladies and gents.
