Good main event. I don't really have an opinion on who should win as it was so close, but at this point it's fair to see that these two fighters are extremely close. Very similar to Woodley/Thompson in that one guy walked away with the belt both times but it's hard to say one guy is better than the other. As for what's next, it's gotta be Gastelum getting that title shot. I'd also be cool seeing Romero move up to provide a new look at 205lbs.
I know some people were big on RDA for this fight, but I thought Covington winning was the easiest money on the card. Too big, too strong. Just the exact kind of bad matchup RDA was bound to run into eventually at the higher weight class. I know people don't like Covington, but for me he's a breath of fresh air at 170lbs and will actually keep things interesting with Woodley. Sure his trash talk is cringy, mouth-breather stuff at times but people hate him and that's all that matters. RDA can fall back a bit, but I do think he'll stay in that top 5. I don't like him at all vs someone like Usman or Covington, though.
Holm exposed Anderson a bit there. Hard to really get excited for anything at woman's 135 right now, but I guess she's back in the mix.
Nice win for Tuivasa. Big night in general for getting some new blood at HW. I wouldn't give him a massive step up next - the winner of Struve v Tybura seems more appropriate.
I missed the Jackson/Punk fight. Sounds like it was terrible.
After one of the most boring first few minutes of a fight ever, Curtis Blaydes looked really good in there. Great finish. He's not the most exciting guy all the time, but he gets the job done. He was the top HW prospect in MMA for awhile, and nobody knew how good Ngannou was when he took him out a few years back. The fact that Blayds has clawed his way back into the top 5 is pretty impressive. I'd be fine giving him Volkov next in a #1 contender fight. As for Overeem, I see lots of people calling for him to retire. He still gets paid a ton of money and even despite this loss is a top HW in the world. He isn't going anywhere, nor should he.
Gadelha and Esparza was close - no real thoughts on this one. Both up there at 115 lbs.
When Bektic is on, he's so good. This was obviously a close fight, but it's still crazy how he lost to Elkins like that. I don't know if he can win it, but Bektic is going to fight for a title by the end of 2019.
Man, in a time where lots of people hated him.. Rashad was always one of my favorites. Tough to see him go out like this, but credit for a great run. I think he'll have a long career analyzing the sport.
Nice win for Oliviera - when he's on, he's on. This was one of those nights.
I had kind of talked myself into seeing Benevidez fight DJ again, but I'll give some credit to Pettis here for doing better than I thought. Probably some rust on Benevidez and he'll stay in that top 5 for awhile.