MMA Gradebook: Rating Every Fight From UFC Rochester

If you’re like us and watch an absurd amount of mixed martial arts each week, you probably wish there were some sort of rating system so you’re not forced to sit through a boring fight waiting for something to happen. In order to help, we rate the fights on major cards for your convenience. If you happen to miss an event, check back here for ratings so you can pick and choose which bouts to watch and which to skip.

Fights are ranked on the scale shown below, based on competitiveness, the skill and technique on display, excitement, and the story and drama of the contest. Wherever possible, the fights are described without spoiling the outcomes. Here's the MMA Gradebook for UFC Fight Night 152: Dos Anjos vs. Lee.

Julian Erosa vs. Julio Arce

New York native Arce returned to the Octagon to take on Julian Erosa who had gone 0-2 since his appearance on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. This was a really fun striking bout and the action was much closer than odds suggested. The finish was one of the best of the night and the back-and-forth action beforehand earns this 3.5 stars to open the card.

Zak Cummings vs. Trevin Giles

UFC veteran Cummings stepped inside the Octagon for the 11th time to take on the undefeated Giles, who was coming off a two-year layoff. Close but boring fight to start off, but the action picked up in the third round. It's probably best to just skip the first two rounds altogether but the third is definitely worth the watch. [2.0]

Patrick Cummins vs. Ed Herman

What a weird fight between the two 38-year-old veterans. I wasn’t expecting much out of this but it ended up being a fun and quick fight with a weird finish that you’ll want to see. [2.5]

Michael Trizano vs. Grant Dawson

Team Tiger Schulmann product Trizano returned to the Octagon to take on Contender Series alum Dawson. Dawson clearly wanted the fight on the ground and Trizano wanted to keep it standing, which gave us a fun bout that covered all phases of MMA. [3.0]

Danny Roberts vs. Michel Pereira

Brazilian prospect Pereira made his Octagon debut against UFC veteran Danny Roberts. Short fight with a spectacular knockout earns this bout the highest grade of the night. [4.0]

Desmond Green vs. Charles Jourdain

Desmond Green comes into this fight as a massive -800 favorite against the debuting Jourdain. The fight was nothing special and both men were very patient but it was much closer than expected. The young Jourdain looked really good for his UFC debut, but it was an average fight. [2.0]

Aspen Ladd vs. Sijara Eubanks

Fantastic back-and-forth fight with good action on the feet and on the ground. I expected this to be a pure grappling fight and was surprised how much time they spent on the feet. Both women were standing and trading in the pocket and put on a show in the third round. [3.5]

Davi Ramos vs. Austin Hubbard

Jiu-jitsu specialist Ramos stepped inside the Octagon for the fifth time to take on yet another debuting fighter in Hubbard. The fight was much closer than anyone expected and the debuting Hubbard definitely made a name for himself against a very respected grappler in Ramos. [2.5]

Charles Oliveira vs. Nik Lentz

The UFC’s all-time submission leader, Oliveira, returned to the Octagon for the second time this year to take on another veteran in Lentz for a trilogy fight to end this weird rivalry. Just like their previous bouts, this was one of the best fights of the night and the finish was one of the best of the year. This definitely would have earned “Knockout of the Night” if it wasn’t for a spectacular finish on the prelims, and the close action before the finish earns this 3.5 stars.

Vicente Luque vs. Derrick Krantz

Rising welterweight contender Luque stepped inside the octagon for the 11th time to take on UFC newcomer Derrick Krantz who took the fight on just 5 days’ notice. Luque was one of the biggest favorites I have ever seen and the fight went exactly as expected. [3.0]

Megan Anderson vs. Felicia Spencer

Former Invicta FC featherweight champion Anderson returned to the Octagon to take on current Invicta featherweight champion Spencer who was making her UFC debut. Odds for this fight were very shady and moved all over the place. Anderson started the favorite and later in the week ended up being the underdog and back to a decent favorite on fight night. Quick fight and a good scrap before the finish earns this 3 stars.

Ian Heinisch vs. Antonio Carlos Jr.

Longtime UFC veteran Antonio Carlos Jr. returned for his 11th fight with the company to take on the rather unknown Ian Heinisch. This was a wild and close fight that had great action on the feet and on the ground. I would have liked to see more striking between the two but this was a fantastic fight nonetheless. [3.0]

Rafael dos Anjos vs. Kevin Lee

Former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos returned to the Octagon to welcome Kevin Lee to the welterweight division. I expected much more action out of both men and this would have earned a much higher rating if it wasn’t for the stagnant first few rounds. But this was still a great main event with major stakes on the line and is one of the must-watch fights of the night. [3.0]