UFC 250 Nunes vs. Spencer Results, Recap and Quick Analysis
UFC 250 Nunes vs. Spencer gave fight fans another night of memorable matchups to consider heading into the summer months.
Amanda "Lioness" Nunes added to her all time resume, as expected. With her lopsided unanimous decision win vs. gutsy challenger Felicia Spencer, Nunes became the first women's UFC fighter to hold and defend championship belts in multiple weight classes. At 32, Nunes moved her consecutive title defenses to seven after blitzing Meisha Tate in 2016 for bantamweight honors.
The highly regarded champ-champ also holds UFC featherweight gold. With that 145 pound strap on the line, Nunes overahadowed Spencer through five rounds, nearly stopping the Canadian before recieving a deserved verdict from the judges.
Final scorecards for Saturday's main event read 50-44, 50-44 and 50-45 in Amanda Nunes' favor.
The question now is who's left for Amanda Nunes after 11 straight wins.
Cody Garbrandt vs. Raphael Assuncao
From current champ to former, the co-main saw explosive redemption from Cody Garbrandt.
Up against it coming in, "No Love" flashed discipline before knocking out Raphael Assunciao at 4:59 of round two. With his first win since defeating Dominic Cruz in 2016 for the bantamweight title, Garbrandt snapped a three fight losing streak where each loss came via TKO. Gardbrant stands 11-3 while validating rumors of 37-year-old Assunciao's contender run being over.
The WEC and UFC standout took his third loss in as many fights after being stopped for the second time during a high level career.
Expect Garbrandt to rise the bantamweight ratings this week.
Aljamain Sterling vs. Cory Sandhagen
On a night filled with 135 pound action as the division's vacated title scene remains wide open, Aljamain Sterling stole the show. Sterling and rolling opponent Cory Sandhagen occupied 25 feet of Octagon fully realizing a likely future title shot awaited the winner.
Wasting little time, Serra-Longo disciple Sterling met, compromised and checkmated Sandhagen at his game. At 1:28 of round one via rear-naked choke Aljamain Sterling dotted his fifth consecutive win vs. a murderer's row of bantamweight names.
With the dust settled, Sterling rests 18-3. Meanwhile, Cory Sandhagen (12-1) fell from unbeaten ranks after a 5-0 UFC beginning.
There is no debating Sterling and ex-champ Marlon Moraes should rematch for the belt Henry Cejudo relinquished upon retirement. Moraes hit Aljamain with a knee submission in 2017. However, Sterling is a much different animal now while Moraes appears a bit past his best.
Neil Magny vs. Rocco Martin
The fourth main card battle saw uber-experienced Neil Magny avoid Rocco Martin submission attempts to earn another win since returning earlier this year.
Magny made his 22nd Octagon walk Saturday. In his wake, the newly coined "Haitian Sensation" has put down Carlos Condit, Kelvin Gastelum, Hector Lombard and Johny Hendricks. Though, submitted four times in seven losses, some question lingered regarding the 32-year-old's ability to ward ground ace Martin's attack.
Entering UFC 250 with nine subs, Martin also brought 8-2 momentum vs. Octagon level opponents to the table.
Rocco and Magny traded during a close first round while the latter set his tone by establishing distance with an 80' reach. Martin banked the second round by landing the more telling sequences. Although, superb conditioning during the last five minutes allowed Magny to edge a close matchup.
Having won two straight, Magny improves to 23-7. Anthony "Rocco" Martin falls to 17-6.
Sean O'Malley vs. Eddie Wineland
A classic veteran vs. contender scrap opened main card UFC 250 Nunes vs. Spencer action. Natural doubts surfaced for O'Malley' cause vs. Wineland after Alex Caceres exposed touted Chase Hooper in the previous fight.
Though, with an opening round highlight-reel knockout of sturdy-chinned Wineland, unbeaten O'Malley proved his billing before worldwide audience. The end came as the younger fighter laid his 35-year-old opponent out at 1:54 of round one.
Just 25, "Sugar"Sean ripped his second first frame UFC stoppage to open a promising run with the company. O'Malley is now 12-0 with eight TKO finishes. Wineland drops to 24-14.
With each fight bringing its particular flair, UFC 250 Nunes vs. Martin was a winner from every perspective. More so, the 135 lb. winners made theirmark on a buzzing division. It will be interesting to see where Garbrandt, Sterling and O'Malley land as 2020 progresses.
