UFC 240 is in the books, and it’s time to take stock in the evening’s performances. MMA Junkie looks at who’s up, who’s down and who’s flat after a night of action in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Stock Up: Cris Cyborg, Felicia Spencer, Geoff Neal, Hakeem Dawodu, Gavin Tucker, Deiveson Figueiredo, Gillian Robertson.
Stock Down: Frankie Edgar, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Alexis Davis.
No change: Max Holloway, Krzysztof Jotko, Viviane Araujo, Erik Koch.
* * * *
Stock up
Cris Cyborg
Unanimous 30-27 scorecards don’t tell the whole story of what Cyborg overcame against Felicia Spencer. You have to consider a brutal knockout seven months prior, a hostile relationship with UFC president Dana White, a gamble on her contract’s end and an opponent that simply refused to go away. There were moments as Spencer blanketed her against the octagon fence where Cyborg looked like she wanted to be anywhere else than she was. But with five minutes remaining, she pulled herself together and got to business. More importantly, she didn’t throw her formidable skills out the door by going crazy. Cyborg will be remembered as one of the all-time greats, and Saturday’s performance, even served against an opponent without as many accolades, further cements her status.
Felicia Spencer
Most opponents of Cyborg talk a great game and then wither the second they taste the Brazilian’s power. Spencer got many servings and never stopped fighting, which is why she gets a bump up. She’s got an ample supply of perseverance. Add to that refinement of technique, and she could have a very bright future at featherweight.
Geoff Neal
If there was anyone that was going to make Geoff Neal look human, it was Niko Price. There were moments were Neal appeared to be in trouble as he indulged Price’s chaotic style. Yet when things got crazy, he was still able to keep his composure and control the fight in critical transitions. That left him a window to use those hands of steel. Welterweight is a murderer’s row of talent, and Neal has a ways to go. But things are looking up for his future.
Hakeem Dawodu
A moving target makes pad showoffs mortal. An opponent that moves as much as Yoshinori Horie is the ultimate challenge, which is what makes Hakeem Dawodu’s head kick knockout even more impressive. Rather than get caught up in Horie’s hit-and-run attack, Dawodu waited for the perfect moment, then hobbled his foe with a body shot. Horie was suddenly a more stationary target, and Dawodu took full advantage before putting his timing to expert use.
Gavin Tucker
Things did not look good for Gavin Tucker in Round 3 of a scrap with Seungwoo Choi. A blatantly illegal knee cost him a point, and he looked low on gas as Choi poured it on with short time. The Tucker that showed up against Rick Glenn two years ago might have lost his cool and again wound up a bloody mess. The one on Saturday night used his grappling advantage and quickly seized opportunity when Choi’s neck was open. Pretty much the best way you can bounce back from a tough two years.
Deiveson Figueiredo
It’s been hard to stand out in the flyweight division with all the oxygen sucked up by Demetrious Johnson and Joe Benavidez. It took too long for Figueiredo to get his due, and by the time he did, he fell short in a pivotal bout against Jussier Formiga. Against Alexandre Pantoja, he fought like a man with a point to prove and throughly dominated a fighter who wouldn’t be put away. Now that flyweights are a thing again, Figueiredo appears poised for a golden opportunity.
Gillian Robertson
Slick transitions and strong legs delay the inevitable for the bottom player in a fight. But solid fundamentals almost always win the day, and that’s why Gillian Robertson broke Sarah Frota inside two rounds. Credit goes to Frota for making things interesting with a reverse triangle. Robertson just showed she’s a better grappler and now owns back-to-back wins with a 4-1 overall record.
No change
Max Holloway
Fight Frankie Edgar, and you’re almost guaranteed to go 25 closely contested minutes. The threat of a takedown changed the way the champ fought, and while he was dominant, he couldn’t quite muster the ferocity he’s known for. Even at moments where Edgar appeared ready to fall, he fell short of sealing the deal. You can’t blame him for playing it a little safer against a fighter who knows how to sway judges, and as he said, he wanted to prove a point against a cardio machine. So we didn’t get a barnburner. Holloway did his thing. But when he decides to retire, this fight probably won’t make his list of greatest hits.
Krzysztof Jotko
Jotko is officially on a winning streak with a split call over Marc-Andre Barriault. It’s going to be a long time before he gets marquee matchups, however, if his performances resemble the workmanlike affairs of his past two outings. Barriault wasn’t a great stylistic matchup, and it’s hard to look good with an opponent who nullifies many of your best weapons. It’s also understandable he might be tentative coming off a three-fight skid. He’ll just need to take more risks if he wants to be a contender any time soon.
Viviane Araujo
The Brazilian flyweight clearly has some skills on her feet. She moves deftly in and out of range, and she’s got power to turn off the lights. At the end of three rounds, her work was evident on Alexis Davis’ swollen and bloody face. But she also appears to struggle in the grappling department and tires in deep waters, raising questions of how high she can go.
Erik Koch
The armchair strategy for a fighter on his second move up in weight would be the use of speed to nullify a size disadvantage. Erik Koch is no slouch on his feet. He could’ve slugged it out with Kyle Stewart. Instead, he won where you’d expect him to tire – in the clinch and on the mat. A grinding three-rounder doesn’t add to the veteran’s highlight reel. But it establishes a foothold in a new division and proves the veteran – who incredibly started his career at featherweight – made the right move going to 170.
Stock down
The former lightweight champ didn’t exactly earn his shot at Max Holloway, and he didn’t get clobbered. He also failed to win a round on two judges’ scorecards, falling short again near the top of the mountain. No matter how many title fights the UFC gives him, you have to wonder if Edgar is just putting off the inevitable. He’ll give anyone a tough fight, and he might even get back to the belt if he goes to bantamweight. It seems more unlikely than ever, though, that he’ll get over that final hump.
Olivier Aubin-Mercier
With losses to a trio of up-and-coming prospects, “The Canadian Gangster” is veering into the territory of a mid-level gatekeeper. The “TUF Nations” winner has put together some great performances in the past, but has lost a step as of late.
Alexis Davis
There’s no doubt Davis is tough. She’s always been that way, and it’s clear she’s improving late in her career in her striking and grappling. The problem is, she’s facing a new crop of contenders who are younger, faster and just as well-rounded. An extended stay on top of Viviane Araujo and a superior gas tank wasn’t enough to erase the dozens of punches she took the rest of the fight. She’ll tough out any opponent – that much is clear. It’s just hard to see that getting her back to the top.
For complete coverage of UFC 240, check out the UFC results.
