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.
The armbar was really locked in, Sage shows some heart and guts it out #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/XXVhNJtE2b
— David Clarke (@DavidClarke__) July 10, 2016
WOW... Marin will be upset when he watches that back. All three judges? OK... #UFC200 #NeverLeaveItToTheBlahBlahBlah
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
Fair play to Sage, thought he was gone twice but stuck in there. Really needed that W. #UFC200 #HisGrannyLitACandle
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
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.
TJ Dillashaw vs Raphael Assuncao next in what must be the greatest second prelim fight ever. #UFC200 #Stacked
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
Cruz beats any of them handy #UFC200
— Neil 2 Tap Seery (@NeilSeeryMMA) July 10, 2016
TJ Dillashaw takes a convincing decision win in the end. Dom Cruz won't be too worried. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
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.
Thought Gastelum was wearing Ireland shorts there just for the craic. #OleOle #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
@ballsdotie o'gastelum.. his father is from wicklow
— Kevin☺ (@kayjay_official) July 10, 2016
Kelvin Gastelum wins another seriously tight decision. Good value for the win. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
HUGE HUGE HUGE win for @KelvinGastelum! #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/aeAoWYEgCP
— #UFC200 (@ufc) July 10, 2016
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.
Every round been very close tonight, to be expected with so much talent on show. Zinago looking good here though. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
Beautiful takedown by @CatZingano at #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/yiyC0KEQlm
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 10, 2016
Great adjustments by Peña and her coach Rick Little after the first. Really neutralized Zingano on the ground. 29-28 Peña, IMO.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 10, 2016
Pena turns the fight around taking rounds 2 and 3. Big win for the TUF winner. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
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.
Browne with 'You're The Best Around' as his walkout music. Great shout. #DanielSan #SweepTheLeg #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
CAIN! Big shots landed in the first. Browne holding on, #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
Normal altitude Cain made Travis Browne look like he was fighting at altitude. Dominant first round stoppage. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
The #Respect these athletes have for each other is the BEST part of this sport! #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/vrB1CpIQ6O
— #UFC200 (@ufc) July 10, 2016
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.
Oh man... Aldo Vs Edgar... Feel spoiled that we're not having to wait until 5.30am for this one. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
We know someone who is interested in this fight #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/shf8g1cpfr
— #UFC200 (@ufc) July 10, 2016
Fantastic finish to the first round. We've got spinning shit, finally! Both fighters well up for it #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
Like something out of a horror movie. pic.twitter.com/yifjlTJPb7
— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) July 10, 2016
Jose Aldo looking like Jose Aldo again. Sharp. #UFC200
— Mikey Traynor (@Mikeyt086) July 10, 2016
Another super close round. Honestly, does this make you appreciate McGregor's win a little more? Because it should.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 10, 2016
3-1 Aldo? Or 2-2 going into the 5h? So close. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
Vital win for Jose Aldo. You have to wonder what Frankie will have to do to get another shot. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
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.
OK, Daniel Cormier vs Anderson Silva, a fight that would have been exclusively for EA Sports UFC 2 a few days ago. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
HERE WE GO! @dc_mma v @SpiderAnderson is actually happening! #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/MtqNB60D4n
— #UFC200 (@btsportufc) July 10, 2016
This feels like an exhibition match, if you can apply that concept to MMA at all.
— John Balfe (@JohnBalfe) July 10, 2016
Sitting here hoping for someone to go for it with a minute left... #AndersonPls #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
Daniel Cormier vias via unanimous decision and is met with boos. #WelcomeToVegas #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
Absolutely disgusting behavior by this crowd. Would you boo birds prefer if DC just turned down the fight? This is embarrassing.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 10, 2016
Respect. pic.twitter.com/o5VpJ17hbN
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 10, 2016
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.
Trying to remain impartial, but jaysus I love Mark Hunt. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
'octagon' is now trending in Ireland https://t.co/lnn4sECpiy
— Trendsmap Ireland (@TrendsIreland) July 10, 2016
Here. We. Go. #UFC200 Oh Hell Yeah!!! @ufc
— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) July 10, 2016
He's Back!! #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/RsbgybGahe
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 10, 2016
Brock keeping his distance, Hunt happy to bide his time. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
Huge final minute of the 1st for Brock. Big shots from the top, he's just so bloody massive. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
WOW #UFC200
— #UFC200 (@ufc) July 10, 2016
Hunt shading the second, have it at 1-1 heading into the 3rd. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
This is going three rounds. That is hysterical to me.
— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) July 10, 2016
Lesnar on top again and Hunt taking a beating, looks like Brock's comeback will be a success. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
Brock is a different sort of beast
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) July 10, 2016
Mir, Couture, Carwin, The Undertaker and now Hunt! Brock Lesnar gets the win at #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/Ps0tlFTY6I
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 10, 2016
A victorious Brock Lesnar and the beautiful Sable at #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/ZkiIsb6X81
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 10, 2016
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.
So...some people are leaving before Tate-Nunes. Come on guys...#UFC200
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) July 10, 2016
If Amanda Nunes can pull this off it will make the women's bantamweight division look like a game of pass the parcel. #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
There were no women fighting in the UFC back at UFC 100 and here we are 7 years later and two women are headlining UFC 200. Awesome. #UFC200
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) July 10, 2016
You're gunna hear me ROAR!!!!!!! @MieshaTate #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/hjhFNB4k3b
— #UFC200 (@ufc) July 10, 2016
Nunes pouring it on in the first! Those strikes! #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
IT'S OVER!! NUNES HAS DONE IT! #UFC200
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 10, 2016
Nunes subs Tate in the first via RNC. Wow.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 10, 2016
OMG!!!!!!! @Amanda_Leoa is the UFC bantamweight champion of the world! #AndNew pic.twitter.com/i0k6asCfcU
— #UFC200 (@ufc) July 10, 2016
Brazil! You have another champion!!!!!! #UFC200 @Amanda_Leoa #AndNew pic.twitter.com/hlxMNzE5EN
— #UFC200 (@ufc) July 10, 2016
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.
