After a wild night that featured a main event and co-main event that were competing for the chance at the No. 1 contender’s spot at the 205-pound weight class, the biggest winner from UFC on FOX 4 was the company itself.
With a few lackluster events in the four months, UFC put on an event most MMA fans were proud to watch.
As great as the night was for the fans viewing it from the arena or the fans watching at home, there were some serious winners and losers in the Octagon Saturday night. This is where we break them down!
For full winners and losers, check out Bleacher Report’s MMA Blog!
Biggest Winners
Lyoto Machida
After UFC President Dana White announced that the two 205-pound main events would also be competing against each other for the chance at Jon Jones and the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, Lyoto Machida won that battle hands down.
With a huge KO victory of Ultimate Fighter Ryan Bader, Machida cemented his skills and proved that he was worthy of another title shot. We can’t forget, though, Jones beat Machida in December of 2011 and he wants vengeance.
Mike Swick
After one of the best starts to a career you could ask for, Mike “Quick” Swick missed the last two years of his career to injuries and a stomach illness. With a return fight against DaMarques Johnson Saturday, Swick proved he is back.
Swick looked great in the portion of the fight in which both men were conscious, but it was his amazing KO in the second round that proved he was back. It was a great welcome home party for the veteran fighter.
Biggest Losers
There are few fighters in MMA history who have the all-around skills that a veteran like Mauricio “Shogun” Rua possesses, but many have openly questioned if he can still put it all together in the biggest of moments.
While Rua won his fight against the embattled Brandon Vera, it was in a fashion that made the fans sympathize with the challenger’s efforts. Rua showed no desire to push the tempo of the fight to another level, despite having the possibility of a title shot on the line.
Not good.
Ryan Bader
If I had Lyoto Machida as a winner, I had to put Ryan Bader as a loser because of the uncertainty the young fighter showed throughout the match. While it’s no shock that he was taken aback by Machida’s unique style, Bader had almost no answer for any offense thrown his way.
Bader eventually got so frustrated that he bull rushed himself into the awaiting fist of the now No. 1 contender Machida. While Bader had been heralded as the next big thing in the 205-pound class, three losses in his last five fights means he is not a serious contender.
Conclusion
While there has been serious talk about the waning interest in MMA and the UFC, Saturday night’s event will go a long way in ensuring that the sport’s grip on popular culture stays tight.
MMA isn’t going anywhere but up!
The problem for fans watching and paying for these events is the same problem boxing has faced; boring fights over and over again leave fans not wanting to waste their money. The fans want knockouts, not five-round decisions with little serious action.
UFC on Fox 4 was perfect. The event gave fans a submission and KOs and kept any and all decisions out of the hands of the judges.
If Dana White could get the cards to pan out the way Saturday’s did, MMA would never falter!
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