After all the hoopla, a 13-second knockout at UFC 194 felt both historic and slightly disappointing. Heck, even Conor McGregor said he wished the fight against Jose Aldo would have gone longer. Such is the nature of the fight game though, and there's no arguing Dec. 12 was a monumental evening in mixed martial arts.
McGregor's knockout is one of literally dozens of performances worth talking about coming out of the UFC's three-events-in-three-days marathon. Let's take a look back at some of the key individual performances.
Frankie Edgar
TUF 22 Finale (featherweights)
Defeated Chad Mendes (KO1/2:28)
If you don't love Edgar by now, you're doing it wrong. All this guy does is focus on himself, prepare better than anyone in the sport and turn in one professional performance after another. Even in defeat, I've never seen Edgar have an off night. And that alone makes him an interesting candidate to fight McGregor. Look, when you knock out the most dominant champion in your division's history in 13 seconds, you have the right to move up in weight. McGregor can bolt for lightweight if he wants. But there is one last "question" for him to answer at 145. And it's "The Answer," Frankie Edgar.
Conor McGregor
UFC 194 (featherweight championship)
Defeated Jose Aldo (KO1/0:13)
Many expected McGregor to fight Aldo in 2015. None of us expected him to open as a betting favorite and then finish the all-time great in 13 seconds. If you want to view this outcome as slightly fluky, I mean, I understand the temptation. If these two fought 100 times, I don't think many would end within the first exchange. I choose to view this outcome, however, as irrefutable proof of McGregor's elite abilities. He seemed to know what Aldo was going to do before Aldo did. He threw the perfect shot. That one moment symbolizes everything from his athletic gifts, technical skill, calm nerves, vision, confidence, etc. It was a perfect performance by McGregor.
Rose Namajunas
UFC Fight Night (strawweights)
Defeated Paige VanZant (Sub5/2:25)
Get on this wave now. This is going to be a fun ride. It already has been. Namajunas seems older than 23, maybe because she already fought for a UFC title, but she's really just getting started. She proved her finishing capability a long time ago, but this five-round execution showcased her entire arsenal in ways we hadn't seen previously. Part of that was because of what proved to be an overmatched opponent in VanZant, but at least you can say VanZant never quit and gave Namajunas 22 minutes of opportunity to break her, from a mental and cardiovascular standpoint. Namajunas was cool, calm, collected and crew-cutted. She's going to be fun to watch.
Luke Rockhold
UFC 194 (middleweight championship)
Defeated Chris Weidman (TKO4/3:12)
This fight was what we thought it would be -- the sport at its absolute finest. Set aside the finish, Rockhold still won every round. It was about as dominant a performance as one could have expected in a fight this evenly matched. The complexion of Weidman's face changed after literally the first resounding body kick Rockhold landed. Just like another popular, big southpaw on the card ("Mystic Mac," they call him), it's a different ballgame when Rockhold hits you.There was poetic justice in him blocking that spinning wheel kick (the shot Vitor Belfort knocked him out with) in the third round, which led to the full mount that essentially ended the fight.
Michael Chiesa
UFC Fight Night (lightweight)
Defeated Jim Miller (Sub2/2:57)
Miller is no longer in his 2011, seven-fight winning streak form, but submitting Mr. Miller is nevertheless an impressive feat. With 34 fights going off in three days, "be memorable" should have been on the to-do list of every athlete competing. Chiesa came to Las Vegas to make a point and I believe it got across. Take out a highly respected veteran and beat him at his own game. Check. Clearly state exactly where you feel you belong in the division. Check. In no uncertain terms, demand what you expect next. Check. Chiesa vs. Beneil Dariush looks like a good matchup to me.
Sage Northcutt
UFC Fight Night (lightweights)
Defeated Cody Pfister (Sub2/0:41)
There was a highly questionable stand-up in the first round of this fight, which, of course, was highly paid attention to as it feels like the world (and the UFC) wants to see this 19-year-old succeed. Pfister got a raw deal on that stand-up but ultimately, and you can't ever say for sure but I feel confident here, it didn't alter the outcome. Maybe Pfister would have spent the entire first round in top position but he wasn't getting much done from there and Northcutt, man, you've got to give the kid credit, he seems completely unfazed by the expectations and spotlight he's under. It's impossible to miss his athleticism in everything he does. Even when he was struggling to work out of the bottom, that raw athleticism nearly got the job done on multiple occasions. You can say the UFC is promoting Northcutt because of his cut physique and frosted tips, but there is no denying the very real potential here. Two fights into his UFC career, I'm impressed.
Aljamain Sterling
UFC Fight Night (bantamweights)
Defeated Johnny Eduardo (Sub2/4:18)
Already ESPN.com's No. 9 ranked bantamweight coming into the fight, Sterling had a relatively easy go against a very, very underrated opponent in Eduardo. It will be very interesting to see what happens when Sterling meets a versatile, skilled opponent he can't easily take down. Sterling is well rounded, but until someone truly shuts down his A game -- offensive wrestling and heavy top game -- we'll have to wonder how truly elite he is. Thus far, he has passed every test in his young career and he's confident in his skills (he wouldn't have fought out his UFC contract if he wasn't). He deserves a pay increase and a top-five opponent. I'm guessing he'll get both.
Urijah Faber
UFC 194 (bantamweights)
Defeated Frankie Saenz (UD)
Faber won and it was never really in doubt, but I'll admit: This was the first time I've seen glimpses of Father Time catching up to "The California Kid" at 36. Maybe there was an adrenaline dump after a near-finish in the second round. Maybe his rehydration didn't go as well, with the UFC banning IVs. Maybe there was an undisclosed injury. Whatever the reason, Faber looked a tick slower. His recovery from shots took a second longer. He's still Urijah Faber and his wealth of knowledge in the Octagon shows. And, as always, he appeared to be in phenomenal shape. But this was his 41st professional fight. There are signs it's catching up. Enjoy him while you can.
Tony Ferguson
TUF 22 Finale (lightweights)
Defeated Edson Barboza (Sub2/2:54)
Ferguson was a little nuts in this fight, but to be fair, Ferguson is a little nuts, period. Ferguson walked into some awful-looking shots against Barboza and barely seemed to notice. Prior to the fight, he called out McGregor, whom he shares management with, and there's actually a comparison to be made between Ferguson and McGregor in the cage. Ferguson is huge, unorthodox and his mental tenacity to break opponents is overwhelming. I've said it before and I'll say it again (and I want this on record): Ferguson will fight for the UFC title in 2016 and, win or lose, he'll make it competitive. Against anyone.
Chris Weidman
UFC 194 (middleweight championship)
Lost to Luke Rockhold (TKO4/3:12)
There's a good chance Weidman thinks about that unsuccessful spinning wheel kick in the third round for the rest of his life. In reality, you can't say that single mistake cost him the fight -- but it sure didn't help. This was a grueling fight with a lot of body work by both middleweights and Weidman appeared to get the worst of it. As Rockhold predicted before the fight, Weidman eventually turned pretty strongly to his wrestling and for the first time in his career, it wasn't there. This is the guy who dethroned Anderson Silva and, before Saturday, wanted a piece of Jon Jones. Hopefully that confidence isn't shaken too much by this. The middleweight division still needs Chris Weidman.
Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza
UFC 194 (middleweights)
Lost to Yoel Romero (SD)
Full disclosure: I thought Souza won the fight. He was basically out on his feet as he retreated to his corner after the first round, but I thought he recovered well and went on to win the rest of the fight. He even put a stamp on it by nearly knocking out Romero in the third. Romero took away Souza's best weapon (his top game) with his terrific defensive wrestling, and I still thought Jacare won the fight (even though the judges disagreed). There was a time I thought Souza was a dark horse to win a UFC championship, but it's hard seeing him match up well at this point with the Rockholds and Weidmans of the division. I feel for him though. His résumé says he deserves a championship shot.
Paige VanZant
UFC Fight Night (strawweights)
Lost to Rose Namajunas (Sub5/2:25)
Her postfight assessment was spot on. At 21 years old, still relatively new to MMA, her technique doesn't yet match her athletic gifts and heart. Just imagine how good VanZant will be, however, if it ever does. Of course, when everyone is talking about how tough you are, it means you're getting worked over. But at this stage of her career, this loss proved more about VanZant's potential than it did her limitations. She has a lot to learn. A lot. There's something very cliche about suggesting this loss will ultimately be good for her, but that could very well be the case.
Yoel Romero
UFC 194 (middleweights)
Defeated Ronaldo Souza (SD)
I thought Romero lost. He looked like a man who wanted to conserve energy, but still gassed late. The spinning backfist knockdown was phenomenal and he was very good attacking Souza's dangerous guard. Did he not take the second round off, though? I just don't see how he won that round. The fence grabs and the excessive water thrown on him between rounds -- personally, I'm not going after Romero for that. Until officials truly punish him, why not bend the rules? Romero's talents are completely off the charts, even in line with Rockhold, but this performance didn't scream "future champ" to me. As I said, it actually looked like a loss.
Chad Mendes
TUF 22 Finale (featherweights)
Lost to Frankie Edgar (KO1/2:28)
A five-round war against Aldo in October 2014. A second-round knockout loss to McGregor five months ago. I think we saw the effects of the fight game take its toll on Mendes last weekend. Not to take anything away from Edgar's blistering left hook, but Mendes probably could benefit from some rest and recovery. A guy loses three of four fights and there's immediately talk about him jumping a weight class, but that doesn't seem like it's even an option for Mendes. He'd be a weakened ghost at 135 and kid-brother-sized at 155. It was a tough weekend and it's a tough road back to the top for Mendes. No other way to say it.
Joe Lauzon
TUF 22 Finale (lightweights)
Lost to Evan Dunham (UD)
This was a tough one to watch if you're a Lauzon fan. He never got out of the gate, let alone broke into that Lauzon sprint that has won him the most bonuses in UFC history. He was an easy target on the feet for Dunham and looked hesitant initiating the grappling. Lauzon was coming off a run of three wins in his past four fights, but you wonder how far away he is from going the Kenny Florian or Brian Stann route and leaving while he still has his faculties. Lauzon is so intellectual (and likable), he'd be a natural fit in the broadcast booth.
Jose Aldo
UFC 194 (featherweight championship)
Lost to Conor McGregor (KO1/0:13)
Let the Aldo hot takes begin. As far as a grade goes, he basically fails by default. It was a 13-second fight, so there's not a lot to discuss. I will say this about Aldo, though. He was supposed to be the one featherweight who wouldn't let McGregor get to him. When McGregor jumped the cage in Boston, Aldo didn't flinch. This kid from the favelas wasn't going to be shaken, certainly not by a loud-talking Irishman. And yet, Aldo looked tired by the time UFC 194 arrived. Whether that was due to McGregor or simply that "Anderson Silva/Georges St-Pierre" effect of getting weighed down by the enormousness and length of his success, I'm not sure. It's probably a combination of both.
Gabriel Gonzaga
TUF 22 Finale (heavyweights)
Lost to Konstantin Erokhin (UD)
One of the surest signs of an old fighter is hesitancy and Gonzaga had that in spades last week. He and Erokhin spent the better part of 15 minutes rhythmically rolling their shoulders and staring at each other from a safe distance. Blame that on some kind of style matchup if you want, but I'll attribute it to the beatings Gonzaga has taken in his past three fights, including back-to-back knockout losses. We've held funerals for heavyweights in the past only to see them come roaring back, but if Gonzaga looks this hesitant again, it will be hard to justify seeing him out there.