Another Day, Another Armbar: Ronda Rousey destroys Liz Carmouche in the first round

UFC 157 is in the books from Anaheim, California, and the result is far from unexpected. Ronda Rousey defended her inaugural UFC Women’s Bantamweight championship in the exact same way that she has won her other fights, with a first round armbar. Liz Carmouche was no doubt a game fighter, even threatening Rousey with an early rear naked attempt, but ultimately Rousey grounded the fight and latched on her signature submission for a quick submission.

In the co-main, Lyoto Machida utilized his high amount of counterattacks to neutralize Dan Henderson‘s potentially explosive offense. Hendo could have been suffering from some ring rust after last being seen in a five-round war with Shogun Rua back in November of 2011. Hendo repeatedly looked for his low kick/overhand right combo, but Machida’s elusive style left him out of harm’s way. Each scored a takedown, but Machida hit some diverse kicks to take home the decision.

In other action, Urijah Faber made his way back into the winning column with a first round chokeout of Ivan Menjivar after taking his back standing up. Court McGee fought Josh Neer in a back-and-forth war, scoring multiple brutal body shots but appearing to get gassed in the second. Neer never gave up but ultimately lost the decision. 

In an upset, Robbie Lawler made a successful return to the Octagon when he defeated Josh Koscheck. Koscheck utilized his trademark wrestling pedigree early on to control the fight, but Lawler soon turned the tables when he began pelting Kos with some truly powerful shots from the top. Where does Koscheck’s career head from here?

Overall, UFC 157 was a highly hyped show that may have given us little to go on. True, Rousey proved her dominance, but was that ever in question? And just how long can her reign carry on the UFC Women’s division? Let’s hope it doesn’t grow stale, if it isn’t already. Lyoto Machida won against Dan Henderson, but will he stand a chance against Jon Jones (or perhaps Chael Sonnen) in another title shot? I’m just not sure. What are your thoughts fans?

UFC 157 Full Results:

Main Card:

Ronda Rousey defeated Liz Carmouche via R1 Submission (Armbar)

Lyoto Machida defeated Dan Henderson via Split Decision 

Urijah Faber defeated Ivan Menjivar via R1 Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Court McGee defeated Josh Neer via Unanimous Decision 

Robbie Lawler defeated Josh Koscheck via R1 TKO (Punches)

Preliminary Card:

Brendan Schaub def. Lavar Johnson via Unanimous Decision 

Michael Chiesa defeated Anton Kuivanen via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

\Dennis Bermudez defeated Matt Grice via Split Decision 

Sam Stout defeated Caros Fodor via Split Decision

Kenny Robertson defeated Brock Jardine via R1 Submission (Kneebar)

Neil Magny defeated Jon Manley via Unanimous Decision

Nah-Shon Burrell defeated Yuri Villefort via Unanimous Decision