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As It Happened: The UFC 200 Recap For Those Of You Who Didn't Stay Up For It

Mikey Traynor
By Mikey Traynor
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UFC 200 was billed as the biggest night in the organisation's history, with an absolutely stacked card from top to bottom offering MMA fans who were willing to stay up until 6am watching people punch each other what promised to be an unforgettable night of fighting, but that commitment was a deal breaker for some who simply could not watch it live.

That's what this recap is for, a fight by fight live review to let you know which fights you need to see and which ones (if any) you could maybe skip if you're watching a recording or repeat.

Starting with the first preliminary fight which took place shortly after 1am, here are the events that unfolded from then on.

Preliminary Card

Sage Northcutt def. Enrique Marin via unanimous decision

Super Sage gets the win, but many felt it should have been scored in favour of Marin. Northcutt showed great heart and an improved ground game to avoid two deep submissions, but Marin will feel aggrieved with the unanimous decision. Worth watching if you're interested in Sage Nortcutt, missable otherwise.

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Probably should mention that the mat was yellow, or gold I believe was the intention, for UFC 200.

T.J. Dillashaw def. Raphael Assuncao via unanimous decision

T.J. Dillashaw in this fight offered further proof that he is the best fighter in the bantamweight division.. Apart from Dominick Cruz. The first round was very close, but T.J. has too much for Assuncao and there could be no complaints about the result. Worth watching for Dillashaw's impressive footwork and all-around performance.

Kelvin Gastelum def. Johny Hendricks via unanimous decision

Another very close decision, but ultimately Kelvin Gastelum was the more impressive fighter in this one. Hendricks (or Hendrick, as we presume Eamon Dunphy would call him) is on a slide and hasn't looked comfortable in the octagon for some time. Not a must see fight but interesting enough.

Julianna Pena def. Cat Zingano via unanimous decision

Cat Zingano controlled what was yet another very close round. There was a clear trend of really really tight fights emerging which was to be expected with such a talented card. Pena took the second after taking Zingano's back and spending most of the fight there.

Main Card

Cain Velasquez def. Travis Browne via first-round TKO (4:57)

A spectacular performance by Cain Velasquez who made a statement with his first round stoppage of Travis Browne. After taking a few minutes to feel his opponent out, Cain dropped a bomb on Browne who never recovered, and was almost saved by the bell before the ref correctly stopped the fight with seconds remaining in the first. Make sure you catch this one.

Jose Aldo def. Frankie Edgar via unanimous decision

We were treated to a bonafide main event at the earlier time of 3.40am, with the interim featherweight title on the line as Jose Aldo took on Frankie Edgar. The first round was very close but an impressive final minute from Jose Aldo where he began to find his rythm was enough to earn him the round for most watching. The second round consisted of more sharp work from Aldo while Edgar continued to push the action, but again the Brazilian looked to have done enough. Third round was extremely difficult to call, although Edgar's business likely saw him take it. Aldo's comfort in the fourth was noticable and he wobbled Frankie with a clean shot near the end in what was one of the easier rounds to call, although it was still close, and on to the fifth and final round we went. Aldo's counter punching was outstanding throughout, with the final round standing out in particular, to give Jose Aldo the ideal comeback win. Worth watching? Yes. Very much so.

Recommended

Daniel Cormier def. Anderson Silva via unanimous decision

The first round was rather underwhelming considering most expected Anderson Silva to go for the spectacular in round one. Cormier spent the whole round on top but Silva defended reasonably well. The second round looked to be more promising, with Anderson settling in and landing some good strikes, but another Cormier takedown was met with a few boos from the crowd. That would happen again with the third, with Daniel Cormier grinding out a rather anti-climactic win despite taking a painful shot to the body inside the last minute. Fair play to Anderson Silva for taking the fight.

Brock Lesnar def. Mark Hunt via unanimous decision

Brock very nearly had the finish late in the first round. After taking Hunt to the ground he landed some huge bombs from the back mount to force the Super Samoan to scramble free. The second was more cagey with Hunt managing to defend Lesnar's takedown attempt, but failing to land the big shot he was angling for. Ultimately he did enough, and most had it 1-1 heading into the third and final round. The third would be more like the first with Brock mounting Hunt and riding it out, clubbing him with his barrel-like fists. Brock did enough to ensure that his comeback was a successful one. Worth watching? Yes, purely to refamiliarise yourself with Lesnar's pure strength and athleticism after five years out.

Amanda Nunes def. Miesha Tate via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:16 of R1

Wow. Miesha Tate was caught cold by an absolutely ruthless Amanda Nunes. A first round finish saw the women's bantamweight title change hands for the third fight in a row, as after nearly missing with an illegal knee, Nunes badly hurt Tate who looked overwhelmed by the Brazilian's power. Nunes now faces either a striking showdown with Holly Holm, or the return of Ronda Rousey who you would have to say she matches up well with. Unmissable.

And there you have it.

A very strong card all things considered, although fans who expected every fighter to go for the finish because it's UFC 200 may have been disappointed, there was more than enough from every fight on the main card to satisfy those who stayed up for it. That said, if you didn't bother you didn't miss out on what you were no doubt afraid of missing, so, in that case it's a win win.

We have one new champion, one man who has another rematch planned for Conor McGregor, one WWE superstar who has shot himself into contention for the heavyweight title, and one melancholic victorious champ who was booed by the crowd for utilising a game plan and a number of careers put firmly back on track.

UFC 200 was ultimately a good, but not great card. The gold mats were interesting though.

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