Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returned to FOX Sports 1 last night (Sat., Sept. 24, 2016) as UFC Fight Night 95 went down inside Nilson Nelson Gymnasium in Brasilia, Brazil.
In the main event of the evening, Cris Cyborg absolutely crushed Lina Lansberg via vicious strikes (see it), putting an end to the bloody bout in round number two to continue her dominant ways.
Also, Antonio Silva and Roy Nelson put their friendship aside for one night in order to handle some business inside the eight-walled cage. "Big Country" ultimately put his friend to sleep in order to get the win (recap here). Also, Renan Barao got back in the win column himself by putting on a great performance against Phillipe Nover.
Winner: Renan Barao
Who He Should Fight Next: Dennis Bermudez
Now that Barao has his first fight at featherweight under his belt, it's time to ramp up the competition. Granted, Bermudez isn't the biggest name at 145-pounds, but just because Renan is back on track and is the former Bantamweight king, doesn't mean he can shoot straight to the top of the contender's list.
A fight against Bermudez, who is one a two-fight winning streak at the moment, will not only provide him with a sound challenge, but can give Renan the top 10 foe he needs a win over in order to break into the top of rankings himself.
Winner: Roy Nelson
Who He Should Fight Next: Travis Browne
Sure, Travis Browne is on a two fight skid, but his last loss against former champion Fabricio Werdum at UFC 203 came after "Hapa" filled in for an injured Ben Rothwell on late notice. I'd like to see Browne bounce back with a full camp behind him against one of the heaviest hitters in all of MMA.
For Nelson, a win will inch him closer to a shot at the division title that has eluded him for quite some time now.
Winner: Francisco Trinaldo
Who He Should Fight Next: Evan Dunham
What's in a name? A lot, apparently, as despite his dominant and winning ways, Francisco Trinaldo doesn't get any love from the rankings committee, as he has yet to make an entrance into the top 15 despite having a six fight win streak going into his bout against Paul Felder. With win number seven under his belt, not cracking the top 10 come next week will be a travesty. After all, if Michael Johnson can leap four spots up after breaking a two-fight skid, Trinaldo should at least crack the top 15 after his seventh straight win.
If that's not good enough, then perhaps a fight and win over Evan Dunham -- owner of a four straight wins -- will be enough.
Winner: Cris Cyborg
Who He Should Fight Next: Your Guess Is Just As Good As Mine!
Cyborg made mince meat of Lina Lansberg in the headlining bout of the Fox Sports 1 event. However, it didn't get her any closer to a UFC title shot or fight against Ronda Rousey. That's because UFC is still putting her in catchwegiht fights of 140 pounds since there is no women's featherweight division.
And that seems to be okay with Cris, as she isn't concerned with title, as she stated after the bout that she has two belts at home and is only interested in putting on big fights inside the Octagon. The problem with that is, UFC won't risk putting her up against a top 10 135-pounder who would be willing to go up to challenge here.
Unless, of course, there's one brave soul who's willing to step up to the plate.
For complete UFC Fight Night 95 "Cyborg vs. Lansberg" results, including play-by-play updates, click here.