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UFC Fight Night 135 hit Lincoln, Nebraska, and the Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday, and Justin Gaethje put on a show.
The highly touted lightweight got back in the win column with a thunderous one-punch knockout over James Vick. In less than 90 seconds of work, Gaethje announced to the division that he is back in contention.
The action didn't just come from Gaethje's right hand, though. The UFC had five additional bouts on the main card and seven clashes on the prelim slate for a full night of fisticuffs in the Cornhuskers' backyard. Nine of the night's fights ended with a knockout or submission, sending the crowd home satisfied.
But who leaves Lincoln with more than a win bonus? Who are those real winners? And what about those real losers?
Let's answer those questions with a look at the UFC Fight Night 135 bill.
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Just in case anyone forgot: Justin Gaethje throws with dynamite.
James Vick enjoyed a height and reach advantage, but he was found on the wrong end of an overhand right heater. Gaethje set it up perfectly and knocked him out cold with one clean shot. It was a thing of beauty.
There are two big reasons Gaethje was a huge winner on Saturday.
The first is that he ended his skid and will jump back into contention. It's a huge boost to his career and to the UFC to have him involved in the title hunt. He called out Tony Ferguson in his post-fight interview, and while he may not get that matchup right away, it is the kind of contest everybody wants to see him in.
The second is that he didn't take much damage. He doesn't mind getting hit, but that takes a toll on one's career. Coming out unscathed is great for his longevity.
Gaethje gave everyone want they wanted, with the exception of Vick. It was short and brutal, and it will leave a lasting impression.
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There is no reason, none at all, that these events should be such a drag.
MMA is exciting. It was built on excitement. These elongated events that go for more than six hours suck the lifeblood from fans. By the time it comes to the main event, there is little care left in anyone's body.
It's much worse when the fights go to a decision. Worse because some of those fights are not terrible, but after four or five hours, they aren't going to capture fans who are just ready for the night to end. Shorter events are key.
Other sports try to keep events down to a respectable three hours or so. MMA tosses that out of the window.
The organization needs to look at how fans react to these events and make suitable changes. It will pay off for everyone in the end. It generates greater interest in a full event if fans know it will be compact and action-filled, and anyone wanting more can subscribe to the UFC's service.
As it stands, fans are carrying their nearly lifeless bodies while being unable to muster a shout for their favorite fighter in the main event. Total exhaustion.
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To be honest, this was originally a spot where Ellenberger was a loser. But that changed when he called it a career.
He was once a threat to the title, but in recent years, it has been almost a foregone conclusion he would get knocked out. There was little hope this fight would have a different outcome. And it did not.
Bryan Barberena clipped him and finished the fight in the first round. It wasn't going to go another way.
Perhaps the UFC shoulders some of the blame for keeping him on the roster and booking him. Some could say he could have called it a career sooner and saved himself some punishment, but all athletes want to hang on. It is that self-belief that got them this far.
It is commendable that he called it a career and recognized that making another run was not going to happen. It's a good call, and there is room in this sport for his knowledge. Ellenberger could be a valuable coach in the future.
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The UFC could have earned itself a "winners" tag for this matchup, but it'll have to take a backseat to Anders being a real loser coming out of UFC Fight Night 135.
Anders was the biggest favorite on the card, per OddsShark. He was coming off a competitive loss to MMA legend Lyoto Machida, and he got favorable matchmaking from the UFC. It looked like everything was in line for a big showing and for him to move back into the upper echelon of the division.
That did not happen.
He got the highlight-reel KO, but only after nearly 15 minutes of attrition against a complete unknown.
Tim Williams had his moments and made Anders look unrefined numerous times in the bout. Anders' performance did not inspire any hopes of bigger things. He lost some steam coming out of this fight, which was not what he, or the UFC, wanted to happen.
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Remember when Warlley Alves first entered the UFC and looked like a future title contender?
Remember when Alves beat Colby Covington without much issue?
Yeah, those days are gone. Anyone who had stock left in Alves can sell, sell, sell. James Krause put an end to that with his TKO performance in Lincoln. Alves never found the next level and almost seemed to regress. It is disappointing, but not too surprising. We see it happen frequently in this sport.
Alves was set to be one of the next big Brazilian stars. Instead, he's just someone who fills out an undercard and will be forgotten.
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Mickey Gall got the quick win, and all seemed fine. Until he grabbed the mic.
Gall got into the UFC by winning quickly and calling out CM Punk. That was good because it made sense. He backed up that trash talk. Call-outs, in general, are fine and welcomed. But not Gall's latest attempt.
Gall called for a rematch with Sage Northcutt or a fight with Diego Sanchez. He's already beaten Northcutt, and Sanchez is but a shell of his former self. These call-outs are not a good look, especially for a fighter who just got back in the win column.
If a fighter is going to have opponents in mind, they need to make sense. Those two did not come close to that, which makes it seem like Gall is looking for an easy fight. That's not what the fans want nor what they deserve. It's cheap. Hopefully, Gall can right that wrong and look toward bigger and brighter things because he is a true prospect to watch.
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Let's take absolutely nothing away from Joanne Calderwood, who did terrific work in Lincoln, but the real victor of that women's flyweight bout was her coach, John Wood.
Wood and his staff at Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas have proven to be one of the top destinations for female fighters. Calderwood is his latest accomplishment, and it is a sight to see.
Roxanne Modafferi lived and trained in Japan for many years. Her solid jiu-jitsu game was worth noting, but she never seemed like a big threat. After a six-fight losing streak, she made the move to the States and Syndicate MMA. Suddenly, her stand-up game became a factor, and she got back on the winning track, eventually fighting for the Invicta and UFC flyweight titles on separate occasions.
Calderwood was in a rut as well. After making the change, she earned her first submission win on Saturday.
Wood's work has been a blessing not only to the fighters, but to the fans as well. Modafferi and Calderwood are fan favorites, and Wood's technical work has allowed them to be more successful at the highest level.
Calderwood is ready to contend in this fresh flyweight division, and John Wood is a big reason why.
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Rani Yahya may never be a champion, but he has quietly put together a solid career. And Saturday's 90-second submission victory was just another in a long line of quiet successes.
The win marked seven of his last eight to go in the W column and put him on a three-fight win streak where he has submitted each of his opponents.
The victory should give Yahya one more chance against a top-end bantamweight to see if he can sneak into contention. However unlikely that may be, he has earned the opportunity. The lack of fanfare should not detract from the resume he has built inside the Octagon—11-3 and one no-contest is a fantastic record.
Yahya's latest submission win should earn him bigger fights and greater respect.
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