Three weeks after the historic Manny Pacquiao v Floyd Mayweather fight, the UFC put on their answer to the “Fight of the Century”. 

While adjectives to describe boxing’s biggest fight ranged from ‘boring’ to ‘technical’ or ‘exhibition-like’, none of the above could be used to describe UFC 187. 

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If you like exciting fights, highlight reel knockouts, and thrilling submissions you came to the right place. 

Although the final product lacked some of the big names and star power the card originally boasted; the two title fights delivered some breathtaking sequences, and while it was the favourites that managed to escape with wins, both fights had moments that left the outcome hanging in the balance.

In the first of two championship fights, Chris Weidman put down “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort with first round strikes. 

Early into the fight, Belfort unleashed a burst of vicious punches that cut up the champion’s face. Weidman covered up, weathered the storm and moments later swooped in for a double leg takedown. 

On his back and in half guard, the Brazilian was exactly where he did not want to be. Weidman quickly advanced to full mount, and at that point the finish was a mere formality. 

Several punches and hammerfists later and referee Herb Dean stepped in and stopped the bout. The official time was 2:53 into round one.

Not to be outdone, the main event featuring Anthony “Rumble” Johnson and Daniel Cormier duking it out for the light heavyweight title followed up with some fireworks of its own. 

Rumble opened the fight with a big right hand that floored Cormier momentarily and followed that up with several head kicks that found their mark. As the fight went on, however, Cormier found his groove (read: make the fight as ugly as possible). The remainder played out in a clinch and on the ground as Cormier was able to land multiple takedowns. Carrying all of DC’s weight for the better part of two rounds clearly took its toll on a visibly exhausted Johnson. Eventually Cormier was able lock in a rear naked choke, forcing Johnson to tap-out.

Several other main card fights had potential title implications. Donald Cerrone was originally scheduled to face Khabib Nurmagomedov in what was billed as a title eliminator. Unfortunately, Nurmagomedov had to pull out of the fight in the weeks leading up to the event with a knee injury that will keep him out of competition for several months. Late fill-in John Makdessi stepped up on short notice and was unable to overcome a significant reach and height disadvantage. 

Cerrone put on a Muay Thai clinic, peppering Makdessi with kicks, knees, and punches for the best part of two rounds until a high kick landed square and broke Makdessi’s jaw. He almost immediately quit. The TKO victory was Cerrone’s eighth straight in the lightweight division.

There was yet more action as former Heavyweight Champion Andrei ‘The Pit Bull’ Arlovski’s continued his hot streak.

As a heavy underdog versus Travis Browne, he engaged in a stand up war that will be on most “Fight of the Year” lists. Arlovski appeared to have Browne rocked several times with right hands finding their mark. Then, in a wild sequence, Browne threw a desperation counter right hand that dropped Arlovski where he stood. As Browne stalked him down searching for the finish it was clear that the cobwebs had not fully cleared but somehow Arlovski survived.

After he gathered himself and got to his feet, he tore into Browne with a devastating combination of right uppercut and straight right, forcing referee Mark Smith to call the fight.