UFC Fight Night 162 on Saturday in Singapore delivered for all those who tuned in for the early-morning start. Submissions, back-and-forth battles and the rise of a potential future champion were all on the menu. Here are five lessons we learned:
1. Demian Maia can still hang.
Maia submitted Ben Askren in the third round of their welterweight headliner. In doing so, he not only upset the odds but made it three wins in a row. In addition, he now has 22 wins in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, just one behind all-time leader Donald Cerrone. The Brazilian is a future hall of famer, and even though he turns 42 in November, he continues to show that he can still hang with some of the best fighters in the division. Maia called out Diego Sanchez after his latest victory, and while that would no doubt entertain the masses, he should target high-ranked opposition at this stage of his career. With that said, he has two fights remaining on his current deal, and if he wants challenges that excite him, he has done more than enough to call his shot.
2. Askren is a bust, but the trade was still worth it.
Askren’s defeat was the second straight in which he went to sleep, and given the controversial nature of his win over Robbie Lawler, many still view him as being 0-3 in the UFC. Of course, he has faced tough competition so far. However, given how he talked a big game leading up to his arrival and how he pointed to potential fights with Georges St. Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov, it is fair to say that Askren has been a bust. However, suggestions that the trade involving Demetrious Johnson was a bad one for the UFC are absurd. For one, “Mighty Mouse” wanted out. Secondly, Askren’s fights have drawn more interest and added more entertainment to the welterweight division as a whole. Not to mention, he also played a role in the quickest knockout in UFC history, which made Jorge Masvidal a bona fide star and will contribute to one of the biggest pay-per-views of the year at UFC 244. It was a good trade for the UFC.
3. Michael Johnson has heavily declined.
Returning to his natural weight class did not help change Johnson’s fortunes, as he lost a majority decision to Stevie Ray in their lightweight co-main event. While it was hotly contested, it puts “The Menace” on a two-fight losing streak and gives him five defeats in his past seven outings. There are still winnable fights for him at 155 pounds, especially when you consider the success he enjoyed against Ray in the second round. However, given that the last time he finished an opponent was over three years ago and the fact that he has not had a truly impressive performance since, it is difficult to see him returning to the top of the division again.
4. Beneil Dariush looks ready for ranked opponents again.
Like Maia, Dariush extended his current winning streak to three fights in what was a virtually flawless performance against Frank Camacho in their lightweight showcase. The 30-year-old displayed his striking skills before taking the fight to the ground, where he quickly submitted Camacho with a rear-naked choke a little more than two minutes into the first round. Dariush exited the top 15 after he was knocked out by a debuting Alexander Hernandez in 2018. Given his recent performances, he appears more than ready to jump right back in against ranked opposition inside the shark tank that is the 155-pound weight class.
5. Ciryl Gane is the most promising heavyweight prospect in MMA.
Gane authored the standout performance of the event, as he submitted Don’Tale Mayes with a heel hook late in the third round of their heavyweight feature. It was not surprising to see the former kickboxer completely outstrike Mayes. What was more impressive was just how well-rounded his skills have become. He displayed good head movement, picked his shots, managed distance well, and even when he hurt Mayes twice, he stayed composed and did not give in to the urge to empty his gas tank. He even timed his takedown to perfection, which eventually led to the submission. It was his second submission win in as many fights for the UFC, as he again showed he had plenty in his toolbox. Operating out of the same MMA Factory in Paris that spawned Francis Ngannou, the future looks exceedingly bright for the 29-year-old. It will only be a matter of time before he joins the ranks of the elite in the heavyweight division.