UFC 207 Shockwave: Amanda Nunes Silences Ronda Rousey and a New Bantamweight King Emerges

December 8, 2023 614 Views by

On December 30, 2016, the UFC closed out the year with one of the most memorable cards in promotional history as UFC 207: Nunes vs. Rousey took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. The event featured the long-awaited return of former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, who stepped back into the Octagon after more than a year away to challenge reigning champion Amanda Nunes.

While the main event generated global headlines, UFC 207 also delivered several high-profile matchups that reshaped the bantamweight landscape and crowned a new champion in one of the promotion’s most competitive divisions.

Ray Borg Opens the Main Card with a Strong Victory Over Louis Smolka

The featured action began with a compelling flyweight contest between rising contenders Ray Borg and Louis Smolka. Borg showcased his well-rounded skill set, mixing effective striking with grappling control throughout the bout.

Smolka had moments of success, but Borg’s consistency and ability to dictate the pace ultimately proved decisive. After three competitive rounds, Borg earned a unanimous decision victory, further establishing himself as a legitimate contender in the flyweight division.

Dong Hyun Kim Edges Tarec Saffiedine in Tactical Welterweight Battle

Veteran welterweights Dong Hyun Kim and Tarec Saffiedine engaged in a closely contested matchup that highlighted their experience and technical abilities.

Known as “The Stun Gun,” Kim utilized pressure and aggression to force exchanges, while Saffiedine relied on precision striking and movement. The fight remained competitive from start to finish, leaving the judges with a difficult task.

When the scorecards were read, Kim emerged victorious via split decision, adding another notable win to his UFC résumé.

TJ Dillashaw Dominates John Lineker

Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw delivered one of the evening’s most impressive performances against the hard-hitting John Lineker.

Dillashaw’s superior footwork, movement, and striking variety consistently frustrated Lineker, preventing the Brazilian slugger from landing the power shots that had become his trademark. Across three rounds, Dillashaw controlled the action with speed and technical precision.

The judges awarded Dillashaw a unanimous decision victory, strengthening his case for another shot at UFC gold.

Cody Garbrandt Dethrones Dominick Cruz to Capture Bantamweight Gold

The co-main event featured one of the most anticipated bantamweight title fights in UFC history as undefeated challenger Cody Garbrandt met reigning champion Dominick Cruz.

Cruz entered the contest riding a lengthy winning streak and carrying a reputation as one of the most elusive fighters the sport had ever seen. Garbrandt, however, turned in a career-defining performance.

Throughout five rounds, Garbrandt displayed exceptional speed, defensive awareness, and confidence. He repeatedly countered Cruz’s movement-heavy style while landing the cleaner and more impactful strikes. Several dramatic exchanges showcased Garbrandt’s composure as he confidently engaged the champion.

After five rounds, the judges unanimously awarded the fight to Garbrandt, making him the new UFC bantamweight champion and ending Cruz’s championship reign.

Amanda Nunes Overwhelms Ronda Rousey in the Main Event

All eyes were on the night’s main event as former champion Ronda Rousey returned to challenge Amanda Nunes for the UFC women’s bantamweight championship.

Rousey entered the bout seeking redemption following her loss to Holly Holm in 2015. Nunes, meanwhile, was riding significant momentum after capturing the title earlier in the year and entering her first championship defense.

From the opening moments, Nunes aggressively pushed forward and unleashed a barrage of accurate punches. Rousey struggled to establish offense as the champion repeatedly found her target with crisp combinations.

The pressure quickly became overwhelming. Nunes landed numerous clean strikes that forced the referee to intervene, awarding the Brazilian champion a first-round TKO victory.

The emphatic finish cemented Nunes’ status as one of the sport’s elite fighters and marked one of the most dominant championship performances in UFC history.

UFC 207’s Lasting Legacy

UFC 207 proved to be far more than a showcase for Ronda Rousey’s return. The event reshaped the bantamweight divisions with Cody Garbrandt’s championship-winning performance and Amanda Nunes’ dominant title defense.

For Nunes, the victory represented another major milestone on her eventual path to becoming widely regarded as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time. For Garbrandt, it was the crowning achievement of an undefeated rise through the UFC ranks.

Years later, UFC 207 remains remembered as a pivotal night that ushered in a new era of bantamweight excellence while delivering several standout performances across an action-packed fight card.

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UFC 207, Amanda Nunes, Ronda Rousey, Cody Garbrandt, Dominick Cruz, TJ Dillashaw, John Lineker, Ray Borg, Louis Smolka, Dong Hyun Kim, Tarec Saffiedine, UFC Results, MMA News, UFC History, Bantamweight Championship, Mixed Martial Arts, T-Mobile Arena, UFC Events, Combat Sports, Fight Night Recap

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by Oscar Madison - Dec 8, 2023

by Oscar Madison - Dec 8, 2023