What mattered most at UFC on ESPN 6 in Boston? Here are a few post-fight musings …
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1. Inhaler-gate
It’s hard to know where to even beginning with this whole inhaler controversy that turned Greg Hardy’s (4-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) unanimous decision win over Ben Sosoli (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) into a no contest. Never in all my years covering combat sports have I seen a fight ask to use an inhaler mid-fight, let alone actually receive approval to do it.
The crux of this issue seems to come down to this: Hardy believed disclosing the inhaler to the commission pre-fight in Boston as well as on his U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) paperwork allowed him use of the inhaler at all times. He apparently didn’t have knowledge that in-competition use is illegal, and the commission member who gave him approval in the footage was misinformed, as well.
Hardy’s chief corner, Din Thomas, probably should have recognized using an inhaler between rounds was a violation of the rules. However, it’s understandable that in the midst of the chaos of a fight, he didn’t fully comprehend what was going on. Still, though, he should’ve had a better understanding of the moment, as there’s a reason this has never happened to anyone else.
The entire thing was just bizarre, and it’s magnified by the fact it happened to Hardy, who is a lightning rod for controversy as it is. It didn’t much seem like he needed it, anyway, because he was way ahead in the fight with Sosoli.
Hardy did the illegal action, though, and while it may not always be the case with him, he suffered the consequences this time.
2. Dominick Reyes’ title shot
Is Dominick Reyes (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) “the one” to defeat Jon Jones? I’m not 100 percent convinced. Is he the one who should get the next shot, though? Certainly.
Reyes lived up to his end of the bargain when he utterly dismantled Chris Weidman to a first-round TKO to keep his undefeated record intact. He’s now won six consecutive fights in the UFC, and the performance against Weidman will go down as one of his signature wins.
The winner of the Corey Anderson vs. Johnny Walker fight next month at UFC 244 might have something to say about Reyes getting the next crack at Jones, but unless that fight ends in a spectacular, jaw-dropped fashion, then Reyes should be at the front of the queue.
3. Chris Weidman’s tailspin continues
Friday was supposed to mark the beginning of a new chapter for Chris Weidman (14-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC). After losing in a quick and devastating fashion, though, it seems like it could spell the end for the former UFC middleweight champion.
After a 1-4 stretch at 185 pounds finally persuaded Weidman to move up to light heavyweight, there was great interest in seeing if he could make a title run. Reyes wasn’t having it, though, as he flattened Weidman inside two minutes in a loss that should really force “All American” to consider his place in the sport.
Less than four years ago Weidman was an undefeated UFC champion at the height of the game. Now it seems like he can’t buy a win, and he’s been dropped in his past six fights and knocked out in five of them. That’s not a good sign for his long-term health.
Perhaps Weidman does heed UFC president Dana White’s advice and consider retirement. Trying to continue wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, but Weidman needs to reassess his goals. He needs a major step down in competition, and needs to alter his focus from worrying about becoming a UFC champion again to just winning a singular fight.
4. Yair Rodriguez’s reputation
Yair Rodriguez (12-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) did harm to his personal brand a few weeks ago with his reaction to his 15-second no contest with Jeremy Stephens (28-17 MMA, 15-16 UFC) due to the eye poke. His reaction to the entire situation caused a lot of fans to turn against him, but it feels like he got some of that good will back.
Rodriguez beat Stephens by unanimous decision in the “Fight of the Night” in Boston, showing off the dazzling skillset which has brought him so much fanfare. Rodriguez was taken to the hospital post-fight and actually did not speak to the media, which, realistically, may have been a good thing for him in the big picture. He let his fighting do the talking this time.
5. Maycee Barber’s future
I don’t know if Maycee Barber (8-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is going to accomplish her goal of breaking Jon Jones’ record for youngest champion in UFC history. What I do know, though, is that she is doing everything from her side to make sure the opportunity comes to fruition.
Barber’s third UFC fight saw her pick up her third octagon knockout, this time with a first-round finish of a game Gillian Robertson. She showed strong punching power and accuracy in the contest, giving more credence to the notion that “The Future” could be now.
It’s hard to imagine Barber being anything other than a steep underdog to women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko if they fought right now. Does that change in 18 months if Barber continues to develop at her current rate? Perhaps. Only time will tell.
