Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) year-end event proved to be a great card like it always has in the past, minus the evening's horrific ending.
Chris Weidman defeated Anderson Silva again in the Middleweight championship rematch, and ironically, it was in the second round.
The surprise here? Nobody expected the fight to end the way it did, with Herb Dean calling a stop to the action after Silva broke his leg trying to kick Weidman low.
It was a good night for Weidman, but perhaps a sudden collapse for the career of the 38-year old Silva (watch video highlights here).
The co-main event was an unbelievable contest between women's Bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey, and her arch enemy, Miesha Tate. The back-and-forth clash could have been the best female fight in recent mixed martial arts (MMA) memory. And it was a familiar ending for Rousey ... with modifications of course.
Nonetheless, in MMA, each bout can have only one winner and one loser. Earning a victory inside the world-famous Octagon is the highest of highs, while suffering a defeat in front of millions of viewers can be the lowest of lows.
Every competitor who steps foot in the eight-walled cage is looking for that moment of glory. Some capture it, others don't.
There were several shining stars on UFC 168, including.... With that said, it's time to name the biggest winner and biggest loser (and their runner ups) from Las Vegas.
Let's do this:
Biggest Winner -- Chris Weidman
It sure as hell was not pretty (understatement of the year), but Weidman solidified his championship status with another second round finish over Silva when the former champion disgustingly broke his leg after attempting a leg kick.
Weidman was looking to be considered a true champion after his first title defense, and he looked exactly like one. He was having his way with "The Spider" for the entire fight, and almost finished "The Spider" in the first round.
It would be slightly cheeky to call Weidman the best fighter in the world, although he defeated the person who was considered as one -- and still is to many -- two times in a row.
It may be problematic for some to give Weidman credit for the second time straight since an injury halted the bout; however, those claims are rubbish -- he is more than just the real deal. He is the best 185-pound fighter on the planet and the man to beat in the division.
Safe to say Weidman will not be considered as an under dog again any time soon.
Runner Up -- Ronda Rousey
Keeping her perfect record (8-0) intact, while acquiring her eighth consecutive armbar, "Rowdy" kept her heel status by not shaking Miesha Tate's hand directly after her third round submission win. It does not take away what she did in the fight, especially her improved striking game and keeping her incredible Judo skills intact.
Rousey earns this tag simply because after all the bad blood between her and her foe, "Rowdy" closes the Tate chapter in her life with two wins over her arch rival.
She also made $150,000 in post-fight bonuses. Not too shabby, huh?
If the long term goal for Rousey is to defeat Anderson Silva's title defense record that stands at 10, it is more than obvious that she has a long way to go. However, being the face of women's mixed martial arts and the sole reason the inclusion of women were possible in the UFC, then count this as another accolade under her belt.
Biggest Loser -- Anderson Silva
Truth be told, this was an atrocious loss for Anderson Silva.
He almost got knocked out in the first round, and after he attempted to throw a leg kick Weidman's way, he completely snapped his leg in half on Weidman's knee with a vision more brutal than the Corey Hill one we have seared into our minds.
All things aside, Silva's performance was kind of odd. He just looked offbeat, slow and eerily strange considering this was someone we called "The Spider" for years because he was exactly that.
Despite the wave of unworthy statements from those who feel this was not another unworthy win for Weidman, "All American" dominated Silva for the whole fight until the injury.
It looks like that Roy Jones Jr. fight, and the Olympics, are off for Silva. There is no timetable for a return from an injury like that, and quite frankly, if Silva's retirement rumors had any bit of reality attached to them, they weigh more than ever right now.
At his age, 38, that is a mountain and a half to climb.
Runner Up -- Miesha Tate
Although Diego Brandao might have been a participant to consider in this feature because of missing weight by eight pounds and losing in the first round to Dustin Poirier, Tate lost too much on Saturday night.
For starters, she got caught in an armbar again -- and she said she would shoot herself in the face if that happened. Thankfully, nothing of the sort took place. Although, she lost to her bitter rival once again and completely tossed another fight against Rousey out of the window for a long time. She may have won the The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 18 coaching battle, yet that does not seem like it matters anymore.
Lastly, Tate was not even supposed to take part in this fight. She was a replacement for Cat Zingano, and unfortunately for her, could not capitalize on the opportunity. Losing to an enemy is terrible. Losing to that enemy by the same fashion twice is more or less soul devastation.
For full UFC 168: "Weidman vs. Silva 2" fight coverage and results, check out our story stream right here.