Hindsight – UFC 202: Diaz vs McGregor 2 in retrospect

UFC 202 featured an instant classic in the main event between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz. There has been all sorts of talk about what is next for those competitors, McGregor in particular. We’ll delve into them a little bit at the end of the article, but there were eleven other contests on the card that will have consequences. Certainly the seismic waves they produce are minor compared to what the McGregor and Diaz fight produced, but we’ll take a look at them nonetheless.

The format is very similar to what Zane did when he was in charge of the Hindsight series. A quick rundown of what was expected along with a brief summary of what happened. Then I take a look at what to expect for each contestant moving forward with the winner being listed first. Let’s get down to business!

Marvin Vettori defeated Alberto Uda via submission at 4:30 of RD1

Expectations/Results: Though this was largely a toss-up, most pundits seemed to be picking Vettori due to his youth and more well-rounded approach. They ended up right. Uda was too comfortable on his back and took a beating from the young Italian before Vettori snatched a guillotine and fell to his back to elicit a tap. Vettori: He was absolutely dominant. While it doesn’t mean he is going to be a world-beater as Uda is nothing special, he couldn’t have started his UFC career in a better way. I’m much more enthusiastic for his future as he demonstrated heavy ground-and-pound in addition to some submission savvy. He has a bright future. Uda: The days of finding success by letting your opponent hang out in your guard are long gone. He doesn’t utilize his long reach effective enough either. He’s out of the UFC and I’m positive in stating that we’ll never see him again.

Colby Covington defeated Max Griffin via TKO at 2:18 of RD3

Expectations/Results: What happened is exactly what was expected. Griffin did have a little bit of success in the opening minute or two when he was able to stand and trade with the reputable collegiate wrestler. Covington was able to keep the fight on the ground from there, dominating the newcomer Griffin with positioning in the latter half of the first round and ground-and-pound from there. Covington: I don’t want to comment on his wrestling and ground-and-pound. We know about those things already. What I do want to mention is the progress that we saw on the feet. He wasn’t dominant by any means, but he was holding his own with Griffin and even put the striker on his heels briefly in the second round. I don’t buy Covington’s claim that he will become the most well-rounded fighter in the division, but he is making strides. Griffin: I don’t want to say that he doesn’t belong in the UFC just yet. I was never very impressed with his wrestling to begin with and he performed just as I expected in that area. Joe Silva should match him up with a fellow striker and expect fireworks to fly. If he loses that one, I feel comfortable saying he shouldn’t be in the UFC.

Lorenz Larkin defeated Neil Magny via TKO at 4:08 of RD1

Expectations/Results: This was surprising. Not so much that Larkin won even though Magny was the favorite. The way that Larkin picked apart Magny, who had established himself as a top ten fighter is what was surprising. Larkin annihilated Magny’s leg so that he couldn’t stand on it, battering it with so many kicks that his own shin busted open. In no way shape or form was Magny competitive. Larkin: Larkin gambled on himself and won big. He’s entering free agency and ensured that he gets the highest possible paycheck from whoever wishes to solicit his services. He threw a wide variety of strikes at Magny – including some powerful front kicks that knocked Magny on his ass – isolating Magny’s leg once he realized it was giving out. I hope he can build off of this performance rather than this being a plateau. He could become a serious contender. Magny: This is more deflating than his loss to Demian Maia. Larkin is a great striker, but no one would say that he is THE elite striker the way that Maia is THE elite grappler. It’s hard to find anything positive for him to take out of this. It will be difficult to build himself back up to the level he was at before this fight, but it is certainly doable. Another welterweight who suffered a devastating loss on the card that will certainly cause him to drop in the standings. Anyone else up to see Magny tangle with Rick Story?

Cortney Casey defeated Randa Markos via submission at 4:34 of RD1

Expectations/Results: Expected to be a close contest that went to the wire, Casey took advantage of Markos aggressiveness to secure a finish with less than a minute to go in the first round. Markos left an arm out there for the taking following Markos sweeping Casey onto her back and Casey secured an armbar from guard to get a verbal submission from Markos. Casey: I had ripped on Casey for her willingness to hang out in guard in my preview heading into this fight. However, this was a bit different as she was swept into the position and she wasted no time securing the arm. Now with consecutive wins after opening her UFC career with consecutive losses, Casey is marking herself as one to watch. I only see her topping out as a top ten fighter in the division, but I have been wrong before. I like the idea of her fighting Michelle Waterson if the Karate Hottie can stay healthy. Markos: I can’t see Markos making a run up the standings after this loss. She has alternated wins and losses since coming off of TUF, falling short every time she gets a step up in competition. Considering she was favored in this contest, this was probably her most disappointing loss. She still has a place as a fun action fighter, but she has lost all of the momentum she accrued from TUF.

Artem Lobov defeated Chris Avila via unanimous decision

Expectations/Results: This contest had a fun premise as Lobov came from McGregor’s camp and Avila trains with the Diaz brothers, but those in the know weren’t expecting much in terms of high-quality action. Avila was tentative with the majority of his punches coming just short while the much more experienced Lobov connected at a higher clip as he kept the pressure on the youngster. Lobov: I’ll give Lobov credit. He made great use of leg kicks and used good head movement to avoid Avila’s strikes. Despite that, I still feel like Lobov is one of the least talented fighters on the roster. But being fearless and having experience under the bright lights counts for something and Lobov didn’t wilt under the spotlight. So long as the UFC feeds him fighters who get the call to the big show too early – like Avila – he’ll remain employed. If he goes back to fighting guys who are rightfully in the UFC, he’ll soon be back on the regional scene. Avila: I admit that I picked Avila due to his massive reach advantage and the …

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