UFC 261: Post-fight, analysis, highlights and results

Brendan Bradford

UFC 261: Post-fight, analysis, highlights and results image

Another UFC pay-per-view is in the books, with Kamaru Usman and Valentina Shevchenko defending the welterweight and flyweight titles respectively, while Rose Namajunas re-claimed the strawweight belt. 

Australia's Jimmy Crute fell to a frustrating first round loss after a bad leg injury, before Chris Weidman suffered a gruesome broken leg.

It was a stacked card that delivered on highlights and great fights, but there were also a few more sombre moments. 

Read on for all the analysis, highlights and results from UFC 261

A TIMELY REMINDER

This isn't a game. 

With the rise of novelty fights, celebrities boxing and other freakshow events, we were given a stark reminder of the risks involved in professional fighting. 

It happened in the most gruesome of moment of the night, when former middleweight champion Chris Weidman snapped his leg in half attempting a lowkick on Uriah Hall. 

The sickening injury happened just 15 seconds into their main card fight. 

Weidman's leg broke upon impact, then crumpled underneath him when put his foot back down. 

The fight was over instantly and Weidman was stretchered out in agony. 

As the likes of the Paul brothers and former NBA player Nate Robinson start talking about wanting to fight, it was a reminder of the real risks and dangers fighters encounter on a regular basis. 

KAMARU USMAN P4P KING? 

Kamaru Usman is unbeaten in 14 fights, has beaten everyone the UFC puts in front of him and just became the first person to knock out Jorge Masvidal. 

He gets better every fight. 

"I love watching Usman fight," UFC president Dana White said. 

"If you look at him in his early career, he was one of those wrestlers, who'd come in, take you down, push you against the fence and try to grind you. 

"He's completely evolved as a fighter. He's standing and knocking out Jorge Masvidal. The fight with him and Colby Covington is one of the greatest fights I've ever seen. 

"He's one of the greatest ever and is on the way to becoming maybe the best ever." 

He was second in the pound-for-pound rankings heading into this weekend and must surely be in line to jump up to top spot. 

Jon Jones still holds number one position, but Usman has fought three times since Jones' last appearance in the Octagon. Time to move up. 

JIMMY CRUTE'S CLASSY REACTION TO LOSS 

Jimmy Crute wanted to keep fighting.

Despite the fact his left leg was virtually useless - buckling whenever he tried to stand on it after taking a powerful Anthoy Smith kick to the knee - the Bendigo-born brawler wanted to keep going. 

He was furious when the doctor stopped the fight ahead of the second round, but composed himself to give a classy post-fight speech. 

"Back home in Australia it's Anzac Day, which is the equivalent to Veteran's Day here," he said. 

"I just want to give a massive shout out. What we do here, would not be possible if not for the fallen troops. 

"I might have lost today, but they lost their lives back then." 

All class. 

SELF-AFFIRMATION WORKS 

When the camera zoomed in on Rose Namajunas as Bruce Buffer was introducing her, you could see and hear her saying "I'm the best" over and over. 

It worked. 

Namajunas admits she struggled during her first title reign, saying the pressures of being a UFC champion were too much at times. 

The image of Namajunas telling herself she's the best was one of the most powerful moments of the night, especially considering what happened a few minutes later. 

A true champion. 

INTERVIEWING KNOCKED OUT FIGHTERS?? 

Zhang Weili was clearly knocked out by Rose Namajunas in an incredible first round finish. 

Weili stumbled around the cage and argued with referee Keith Petersen in the aftermath. 

She didn't believe the bout should have been stopped. 

Joe Rogan asked her a few questions, and through an interpreter, said she was still conscious and that she wanted to keep fighting. 

Should she really have been forced to explain herself in the cage straight afterwards though? I didn't like it. 

At least give her some time to collect herself and get checked by a doctor. If we really need answers from her, she can front a post-fight press conference. 

VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO IS JUST TOO GOOD 

Valentina Shevchenko is so good I don't even know who can beat her at 125 pounds. 

She's won six title fights at flyweight, despatching anyone unlucky enough to stand in her way. 

She's reached the Mike Tyson-level of dominance, where the result is pretty much confirmed before the opening siren even sounds. 

Where to now? I've no idea. 


FANS ARE BACK! 

They copped some criticism for allowing a capacity arena to attend UFC 261, but the atmosphere was electric. 

I missed it. 

NICK DIAZ TO RETURN

Photos of a ripped Nick Diaz started circulating on social media last week. 

He hasn't fought since 2015 and hasn't won since 2011, but is reportedly set on making a return to the Octagon. 

"He's out the back. He wants to fight," UFC president Dana White said. 

"He's waiting for me to talk to him." 

UFC 261 RESULTS

Welterweight Kamaru Usman def Jorge Masvidal Rd2 KO
Women’s Strawweight Rose Namajunas def Zhang Weili Rd1 KO
Women’s Flyweight Valentina Shevchenko def Jéssica Andrade Rd2 TKO
Middleweight Uriah Hall def Chris Weidman Rd1 TKO (leg injury)
Light Heavyweight Anthony Smith def Jimmy Crute Rd1 TKO

Preliminary Card
Welterweight Randy Brown def Alex Oliveira Rd1 Submission (rear-naked choke)
Welterweight Dwight Grant def Stefan Sekulić SD
Middleweight Brendan Allen def Karl Roberson Rd1 Submission (ankle lock)
Featherweight Patrick Sabatini def Tristan Connelly UD

Early Preliminary Card
Bantamweight Danaa Batgerel def Kevin Natividad Rd1 TKO 
Lightweight Rodrigo Vargas def Rong Zhu Decision UD
Flyweight Jeff Molina def Qileng Aori UD
Women’s Strawweight Ariane Carnelossi def Na Liang Rd2 TKO

 

Brendan Bradford