Several Former UFC Champions And Title Challengers Look To Rebound At UFC 200: How Did They Do?
By Sean Ross Sapp
UFC 200 was loaded full of championship bouts and marquee matches. The show also featured several former champions and title challengers looking to get back on the horse, to differing results.
Johny Hendricks looked terrifying at Friday’s weigh-ins, and the decision to stay at 170 pounds continues to be surrounded with question marks. The former Welterweight Champion dropped his second straight fight at UFC 200, falling to a much faster, better conditioned Kelvin Gastelum. Hendricks is now 2-3 in his last five fights.
TJ Dillashaw rebounded after losing the UFC Bantamweight title in January by besting #3-ranked Raphael Assuncao. Assuncao had been out since 2014 with several ankle injuries, and Dillashaw exploited it by using his crisp footwork and combinations in order to handle his opponent. Dillashaw looks to gain a rematch against champion Cruz.
Cat Zingano fell way back in line as it pertains to UFC title contenders, as Julianna Pena outlasted her in her first apperance since losing to Ronda Rousey a year-and-a-half ago. Zingano is now likely behind Pena, Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm, and looked like ring rust was a factor as she quickly faded after winning the first round.
Cain Velasquez was back with a vengeance, unleashing a one-sided drubbing of Travis Browne. Velasquez also showed ripples in his offense, throwing multiple spinning wheel kicks. Velasquez’s wrestling also looked on point, as he put his name back into the UFC Heavyweight title conversation.
You can see our full UFC 200 coverage at this link.
