UFC Vegas 114 just wrapped up and it is easily the best card of the year. Not even a numbered card. It’s pretty rare to get a good card, but what’s even more rare is a good heavyweight scrap.
Steve Asplund is the most interesting heavyweight in MMA right now aside from Gable Steveson, and I’d argue Steve is just more interesting as a person. Fat guy loses weight and starts fighting. He body-shames himself, but in a fun way. In addition to having an interesting story and charisma, he is a fun action fighter, which is seriously lacking in this division. Tom Aspinall or Josh Hokit is probably the next best action fighter
So although heavyweight is still in shambles, there is some movement in a positive direction, but it still is on a very shaky foundation. Asplund has skills and I think he can go much farther if he tightens a few things up. Very solid chin, decent movement, cardio, and surprisingly good takedown defense. Good enough to thwart Gable Steveson? Probably not in a direct shot, but he may be able to keep him away with his hands.
But I still think the UFC, as a whole, is trending downward when it comes to card quality and matchmaking.
I saw someone on X say, “Where is everyone who spent all week complaining that UFC fights are dead?” But that’s a stupid argument. I’d compare the state of the UFC to global warming: average temperatures can rise over time even if a particular day, or even a particular year, is cooler than usual. One exception doesn’t disprove the larger trend.
The same applies here. Just because this card was solid doesn’t mean the UFC isn’t putting on weaker cards overall. It is. One good event doesn’t erase months of underwhelming matchmaking.
And this was a Fight Night, not even a numbered event. There weren’t many major names on the card, yet it still delivered. If anything, that raises more questions about why so many supposedly bigger events have been so weak.
There are constantly dumb takes, but I figured highlighting that one was worth it…
Anyways, on to the next.
