Post-Fight Stock Report: UFC Fight Night 155
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The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Saturday journeyed to Sacramento, California, for UFC Fight Night 155. As always, some stocks rose and others fell.
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Stock Up
Germaine de Randamie: Slowly but surely, it seems that de Randamie is successfully detaching herself from the drama that enshrouded her stint as champion of the women’s featherweight division. On Saturday night “The Iron Lady” took out fast-rising prospect Aspen Ladd in short order and has a really good case toward a rematch with Amanda Nunes, this time for the women’s bantamweight crown. When the two met in 2013, Nunes won by first-round knockout. But after six years and plenty of growth, a rematch would be more competitive. The Dutch kickboxer has the length and striking to give the champ trouble on the feet and experience going into the championship rounds. She’s next in line and a worthy challenger at that.
Urijah Faber: “The California Kid” was back with a vengeance on Saturday night in the co-main event against up-and-comer Ricky Simon. In under one minute, Faber had Simon down and out and went from a retired legend to a veteran right back in the Top 10. The win was Faber’s first stoppage by strikes since 2007, and in true veteran fashion, he took to the mic and spit a promo aiming his sights directly on two-division champion Henry Cejudo.
Josh Emmett: Emmett picked up his second straight knockout and finds himself firmly back in title contention after further establishing himself as one of the most dangerous power punchers the featherweight division has to offer. Utilizing great movement and feints, Emmett dropped Mirsad Bektic with a piston-like jab and let his killer instinct take over, leading to the finish. Emmett is what I’d consider a late bloomer and at 34 just now seems to be coming into his own.
Stock Down
Aspen Ladd: Ladd finds herself burdened with a couple of different problems following her quick and controversial loss in her first UFC main event. The loss knocks her out of contention for a title shot and the ongoing weight-cutting issues should leave this young contender having a long look in the mirror.
Ricky Simon: Coming into the UFC, Simon was widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the bantamweight division, compiling three wins in as many UFC appearances. Simon seemingly had it all laid out for him in the form of an aged veteran but failed to capitalize and launch himself into a new level of competition. The matchup with Faber was, in my opinion, one to boost the stock of a promising prospect in Simon and after having failed to cash in on the opportunity he will be hard-pressed to earn another one anytime soon.
Darren Elkins: Elkins moved his family to Sacramento in order to take his training with Team Alpha Male to the next level, and for a short period of time it seemed Elkins was doing just that. From 2015 to the beginning of 2018, Elkins compiled the longest win-streak of his UFC career at six straight wins but since has fallen to 0-3. To make matters worse, Elkins’ fight with Ryan Hall was contested primarily on the feet, where Hall, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, made Elkins look sloppy, slow, and plodding, dropping “The Damage” multiple times through three rounds.
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