The Thanksgiving holiday led right into a big weekend for the UFC, what with their many announcements and all.
Conor McGregor is no longer the UFC Featherweight Champion, even though McGregor himself is reportedly saying he didn’t relinquish it voluntarily. UFC issued a statement weighing in on the matter. Jose Aldo is the new UFC Featherweight Chaampion again, even though Anthony Pettis and Max Holloway are already fighting for an “Interim” title in what is now the new UFC 206 main event for the 12/10 PPV in Toronto. The original main event fell through on Friday when Daniel Cormier had to pull out of his originally scheduled rematch against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, who reportedly turned down an offer to fight replacement opponent Gegard Mousasi in the new main event that UFC initially tried setting up.
Oh yeah, and the UFC made their return to Australia on Saturday evening with a show that featured another surprise retirement announcement, as well as a first-round KO in the main event.
UFC Fight Night 101 took place live from the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia last night, airing on FS1 with a main card that included Robert Whittaker finishing Derek Brunson via first-round knock out and longtime UFC fighter and former TUF Nations coach Kyle Noke retiring after a loss.
The following are quick-match results of the UFC Fight Night 101: Whittaker vs. Brunson event.
UFC Fight Night 101 Main Card (FOX Sports 1 at 10 p.m. ET)
Robert Whittaker def. Derek Brunson via TKO (Round 1, 4:07)
Andrew Holbrook def Jake Matthews via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Omari Akhmedov vs. Kyle Noke via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Alex Volkanovski def. Yusuke Kasuya via TKO (Round 2, 2:06)
Tyson Pedro def. Khalil Rountree via submission (rear-naked choke) (Round 1, 4:07)
Danielle Taylor def. Seo Hee Ham via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)UFC Fight Night 101 Preliminary Card (FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET)
Dan Kelly def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)
Demian Brown def. Jon Tuck via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Jonathan Meunier def. Richard Walsh via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Ben Nguyen def. Geane Herrera via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)UFC Fight Night 101 Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass at 6:30 p.m. ET)
Jason Knight def. Dan Hooker via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-26)
Marlon Vera def. Ning Guangyou via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jenel Lausa def. Yao Zhikui via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)