UFC Fight Night 116 took place Saturday, live from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. In the main event, former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold returned from extended absence to face David Branch. Branch, a former two-division champ at middleweight and light heavyweight, won his UFC debut earlier this year at UFC 211. At UFC Pittsburgh, he’d look to claim the biggest scalp of his career.
Earlier on the main card, Ultimate Fighter 21 welterweight winner Kamaru Usman carrier a five-fight UFC win streak (and nine-fight win streak overall) into his scrap with Sergio Moraes. Moraes had not lost a fight since 2012, though he did fight to a draw at UFC 198 against Luan Chagas. In any case, someone’s undefeated streak was going to end at UFC Pittsburgh.
The one turned out to be a quick one, as the wrestler Usman showed an improved all-around game, striking early with a calf kick that hurt Moraes immediately. From there, the Ultimate Fighter winner followed up with a combo along the fence that dropped his opponent. Moraes would survive the knockdown, but the writing was on the wall.
Up against the cage again with Moraes retreating, Usman connected with a right cross that sent his opponent crashing to the mat. The ref was one the scene, with Usman landing one more punch before the official saved the day.
After the bout, Usman said he was a problem for anyone in the division, and singled out former lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos. To RDA, he said “you want to come into my division, you want to talk about going for the title? Are you serious? Line ’em up, Sean, line ’em up.”
Will matchmaker Sean Shelby book it, and would RDA consider it? Time will tell, but dos Anjos may have bigger fish to fry.
Kamaru Usman def. Sergio Moraes by knockout, Round 1, 2:48
