10 Lessons Learned From UFC 177

1. The Main Event Exceeded Expectations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3e4zts6iQI It looked, ever so briefly, like the main event might be over quick - T.J. Dillashaw had Joe Soto in a rear-naked choke, and it seemed like he might have it - but it wasn't really as close as it first looked, and the first round of Dillashaw vs. Soto wound up much closer than it looked, with Soto landing some solid shots towards the end of the round. Dillashaw controlled, but Soto was no can. In the second, Dillashaw caught Soto with some solid shots including a good uppercut, while the challenger answered with his jab. Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg sold how good Soto's striking was - but keep in mind, they had a fight to sell. Not literally, but they needed to sell the legitimacy of Soto as a contender. That said, the telltale sign was fans on their feet cheering between rounds. Not bad. Still, Dillashaw had vastly out-struck Soto by the end of the second round. In the end, Dillashaw would put it away in the final round, getting the finish (he also finished Barao in the fifth). This time around it was a head kick that did the damage. The upside - Dillashaw gets an exciting highlight reel finish. The downside - it was against an opponent he had to beat. The win does nothing, and he's still the champion with the least credibility in the UFC. For now. Per Dana White, it won't be Barao, but Dillashaw's next opponent will be a legit contender. Barring injury on a weak card anyway.