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#1 Worst: The UFC’s rematch fetish causes a logjam at Heavyweight
The worst thing about last night’s show wasn’t actually something that happened there, per say, it was more a decision made by the UFC a few months back that was highlighted plainly in Raleigh. Essentially, with wins over Alistair Overeem, Mark Hunt, Justin Willis and now Junior Dos Santos to his name, Curtis Blaydes has more than earned a shot at the UFC Heavyweight title.
The only problem? The last man to beat him – Francis Ngannou – has earned one too by beating Blaydes, Dos Santos and Cain Velasquez in his last three fights. That wouldn’t be a problem if champion Stipe Miocic was due to face Ngannou next, but instead, Miocic is re matching Daniel Cormier, meaning we’ve got a logjam at the top of the division.
Realistically, Cormier shouldn’t have been granted an instant rematch; the title shot should’ve gone to Ngannou, with Blaydes either fighting for the title next or taking on ‘DC’ with the winner making themselves next in line. But once again the UFC’s fetish for rematches and ‘trilogy fights’ – a tired hangover from boxing – has reared its ugly head and means the entire division is now a mess.
#2 Best: Chiesa is a contender at 170lbs
In last night’s semi-main event, Michael Chiesa stepped up in competition once again at 170 lbs and came through with flying colors, using his power and grappling skills to grind out a victory over Rafael Dos Anjos that likely represents the biggest win of his career. ‘Maverick’ is now 3-0 at Welterweight, and given RDA’s lofty status in the division, the fight he asked for next – against Colby Covington – isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Was it a flawless victory for Chiesa? Not quite; his striking still hasn’t quite caught up to his grappling, meaning Dos Anjos was able to catch him with a couple of good strikes – mainly leg kicks – but then it’s become so hard for opponents to stop the TUF 15 winner’s takedowns that he doesn’t necessarily need a world-class kickboxing game.
Even after last night’s win, it seems hard to imagine that Chiesa could beat the men at the top of the division; Covington, Tyron Woodley and champ Kamaru Usman have insanely good takedown defense while Leon Edwards is also a massively improved wrestler, but the fact that he’s even in the conversation with them is a massive achievement for ‘Maverick’, who a year ago, was basically a journeyman at 155lbs. Last night was simply a tremendous achievement for him.
