Five Biggest Takeaways From UFC on FOX 18

Despite what many pundits considered a lackadaisical fight card, UFC on FOX 18 delivered on more than one occasion this past Saturday.

Headlined by yet another brutal first-round knockout by Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, the nationally televised event also shed light on the expanding heavyweight title picture and the inexperience of one of the sports quickest rising prospects.

The four-fight main card didn’t offer fans too much to talk about compared to other high-profile events, but the action was memorable to say at least. Especially when you consider the divisional implications and glaring answers that each bout possessed.

Here are five key takeaways from UFC on FOX 18 as the winners and losers dig deep into 2016.

Sage Northcutt is a work in progress:

Nobody is questioning Sage Northcutt’s high level striking or budding athleticism. But after tapping early to an improperly positioned arm-triangle choke by Bryan Barberena at UFC on FOX 18, people are understandably going to question his resolve moving forward.

After all, Cody “The Pfist” Pfister gave us a quick glimpse of Northcutt’s weak ground game when the two met back at UFC Fight Night 80. Pfister ended up losing via second-round submission after taking punishment on the feet, but he helped exploit the young striker’s inability to comfortably grapple.

Unfortunately for Northcutt, Barberena was a step above the competition he’s used to dominating. Having taking the fight on just eight days notice, “Bam Bam” had much to prove against a super athlete who was already being tagged as the next great fighter in the sport. But despite his own skills being overlooked heading into UFC on FOX 18, Barberena weathered the early storm, allowed Northcutt to punch himself tired, and took full advantage of the teenager’s sub-par ground game in the second frame.

While Northcutt is only going to get better from this point on, especially after tasting his first pro loss, he isn’t quite the complete fighter we thought he was. And the UFC now looks like they played their cards right by bringing him along slowly (even though it still didn’t help).

Josh Barnett is no longer a contender:

It’s sad to see Josh Barnett unable to fend off the best heavyweights in the world, but he simply is no longer a perennial title threat.

Heading into UFC on FOX 18, Barnett was riding a five-round beatdown of Roy “Big Country” Nelson, in which “The Warmaster” landed a heavyweight record 146 significant strikes. While that victory helped Barnett’s case leading into a tilt with Ben Rothwell, Nelson is no longer the force he once was. Any heavyweight with better cardio and more technical striking can ward off his one-punch power.

Well, after carefully plugging along in the first round this past Saturday, Barnett quickly came to the conclusion that Rothwell is not Roy Nelson. After eating a few crisp strikes to begin the second, “Big Ben” grabbed a hold of Barnett’s neck and proceeded to hand the veteran his first submission loss of his storied career.

What makes things even worse for Barnett heading into 2016 is not only his slowing physicality at 38 years of age, but more importantly the fact that he’s now compiled a pedestrian record of 2-2 since returning to the Octagon in 2013.

It’s safe to say his best days are behind him.

Rothwell deserves (but won’t get) the next title shot:

If there was any doubt about Ben Rothwell’s worth as the next top heavyweight title contender, it was put to sleep at UFC on FOX 18.

After gifting Josh Barnett his first career  submission loss, the 34-year-old solidified his rank as one of the very best heavyweights in the world. And considering he knocked out Alistair Overeem back at UFC Fight Night 50, Rothwell has now defeated (arguably) the best pure striker and best pure grappler in the division in their respective strengths.

That’s quite the accomplishment, especially considering the hulking heavyweight had never won back-to-back contests in his UFC career until his current four-fight win streak began back in 2013.

People will make the case for Cain Velasquez and Stipe Miocic deserving the next shot at champion Fabricio Werdum, but nobody in the weight class looks as dangerous as Rothwell does right now. He striking is downright frightening, his submissions are unorthodox and unique, his chin is world-class, and his confidence has never been higher, but due to his relatively under-the-radar status and mainstream popularity that doesn’t mean he’ll get it by any stretch of the imagination.

We may be looking at the next UFC heavyweight king, yet Rothwell may have to win one or more additional fights to get the championship opportunity he’s probably earned.

 

Ryan Bader can’t stomach the light heavyweight elite:

The last time Ryan Bader carried a five-fight win streak into a high-profile fight, he lost to soon-to-be light heavyweight champion Jon Jones back at UFC 126.

This time around, “Darth” relinquished his hard-fought success to the raw power of Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, losing via first-round knockout in the UFC on FOX 18 headliner. Bader’s obvious gameplan to shoot as early as possible on the knockout artist and make him fight off his back backfired more than a tailpipe full of bananas.

In devastating fashion, Johnson gained full mount and blasted Bader with overpowering shots to the side of the head. And even though the veteran partially blocked the madness with his hands, it simply wasn’t enough.

This loss now sends Bader all the way back down the divisional ladder. Coming into his No. 1 contender’s bout with Johnson, people had ridiculed Bader’s win streak on the premise of him being unable to finish any of his recent victories. Decisions over Rashad Evans and Phil Davis were certainly noteworthy, but the inability to finish guys like Ovince Saint Preux, Rafael Cavalcante, and Anthony Perosh didn’t look good when stacked up against the light heavyweight elite.

Well, our assumptions of Bader became reality after the standout wrester failed to take Johnson down. What stood out even more so was his lack of defense off his back.

And with limited striking skill and the knack for coming up short in big spots, the 32-year-old may never make it back to the cusp of title contention.

Anthony Johnson is better than ever:

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson is not physically incapable, nor is he mentally weak. He proved this tenfold when he defended Ryan Bader’s lone takedown defense and battered the veteran into oblivion at UFC on FOX 18.

Many Johnson doubters will proclaim that Bader is not as good of a wrestler as Jones or Cormier, or the fact that Saturday’s sample size in deciphering Johnson’s evolution on the ground was exceedingly small, but we have to go off of what we have. So despite defending just one takedown, it’s safe to say that “Rumble” is making significant strides in his ground game.

In year’s past, not just his recent explosion within the light heavyweight division, Johnson struggled to ward off fighters willing to test his grappling skills. This includes losses to Vitor Belfort and Josh Koscheck from his younger days as a UFC welterweight.

Needless to say, the one-punch knockout dynamo will never have what it takes to win divisional gold unless he begins his transition into a comfortable fighter off his back, or an accomplished tactician of defending numerous shots.

With this victory over Bader, Johnson proved that he is on the right path to evening the playing field between himself, Jones, and “DC.” But at the end of the day, “Rumble” must be physically prepared to go five rounds with the best if he is seriously considering life as UFC light heavyweight champion.