After two long weeks, it finally arrived—the first UFC fight card of 2018.
On paper, it was a show that left much to be desired. There were no fights with title implications at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
No superstars entered the Octagon, either, unless you count reality television sensation Paige VanZant. Worse, with the loss of the Vitor Belfort vs. Uriah Hall bout on the day of the weigh-ins, there were no fighters who had ever held UFC championship gold.
Nothing happened to change that perception as the fighters engaged in one listless bout after another.
Then Matt Hughes limped out to the cage, just months removed from a collision with an actual train. It was a touching moment, with Hughes showing the fighting spirit that earned him a spot in the UFC’s Hall of Fame.
As if energized by the emotional display of courage and heart, the action immediately picked up. Kamaru Usman channeled Hughes himself, practically slamming his opponent right through the mat. Jessica-Rose Clark outgrappled VanZant, and Jeremy Stephens closed the show with a brutal beating of Doo Ho Choi.
There were human beings fighting in a steel cage. Punches and kicks were thrown. Joints were stretched. Necks were strangled. Sometimes, that’s enough.
As always, the final stat lines only reveal so much. These are the real winners and losers from UFC Fight Night 124.
For the literal-minded among us, full results are listed at the end.