What’s next after UFC 261
What an amazing event from start to finish, the excitement from the fans was electric, having fans back in the arenas was something special and made the event a whole lot better.
The main card was exciting yet heartbreaking as well. Anthony Smith vs. Jimmy Crute got off to a good start but was stopped by the doctors after Crute couldn’t keep his leg from buckling. The leg injury came from a kick to the back of the knee from Smith, you could tell right away it affected Crute so he dove and took him to the ground he managed to keep the fight on the ground till the end of the first round, he struggled to get up and you could instantly tell something was wrong. It was believed to possibly being a nerve as he was able to put more weight on it after the fight was given to Smith, he is now on a two fight win streak and can make a push for another title shot. Crute is still young and will bounce back.
Uriah Hall vs. Chris Weidman didn’t last long and was hard to watch the highlights. Weidman ended up breaking his leg as he threw a leg kick on Hall, Uriah didn’t throw a single shot, the impact of the leg kick snapped Weidman’s leg. You hate to see these type of injuries in any sport. Chris is 36 years old and an injury like this could take him some time to recover he’s on the downside and this fight was his chance to try and push for a potential title fight. This wasn’t the way Uriah wanted to win, especially trying to avenge his loss to Chris 10 years ago. Uriah Halls next fight could potentially be against Derek Brunson or Darren Till.
Thug Rose Namajunas is the new strawweight champion after a first round KO via high kick. She once again stuns the world with a beautiful performance. Weili wasn’t too happy with the stoppage, but after getting up she was still stunned and wobbled. Roses next opponent is looking like it will be Joanna Jedrzejczk for the third time, Rose dominated her in both previous fights. As for Weili a matchup against Carla Esparza or fellow country women Yan Xiaonan. Expect Weili to bounce back and meet Rose in the octagon in the future.
Valentia Shevchenko once again gets another dominant victory and running through her division. Going into the fight Andrade was her biggest threat, the Brazilian possess huge KO power, but Valentina was well prepared, taking her down several time and dominating. The flyweight division still has some potential fights for Valentina one being Joanne Calderwood whose coming off a decision victory over Jessica Eye. Lauren Murphy is another potential fight as she’s currently on a four fight win streak, whatever the case Shevchenko is proving to be one of the most dominant champions in the UFC.
The main event proved to be everything it was hyped to be. Pure violence was promised and it was delivered. I don’t believe anyone expected Usman to stand and bang with Masvidal, but that’s what Usman did and delivered a second round KO, a brutal right hand right on the chin and a few more super necessary punches while he was out. Class act from both fighters once the fight was over, Masvidal still has the name and can headline another ppv, one possibly being against either of the Diaz brothers. Usman shut the haters up but also an entire arena with the massive KO. Dana White later in the night said the next fight for Usman will be Colby Covington. Usman did say he was going to run laps around the whole division. Connor McGregor had some things to say on Twitter after the fight, indicating he was to make a trip at the 170 pound division and wants a fight with Usman. Usman has put him self in the conversation of possibly being the goat of the welterweight division, but if you don’t believe he is, he certainly is the pound for pound best fighter in the UFC at this moment.
