With all of the buzz about 206 being "cursed" after Cormier was injured and Pettis didn't make weight, some may have thought this card would be lack-luster. After an eventful evening and a packed night of outstanding fights, I think it's safe to say that the "curse" has been lifted.
The start of the main card Jordan Mein came back from retirement to take on Norwegian newcomer Emil Meek. The first round was very back and forth between the two trading blow for blow. Going into the second round Mein start to slow down allowing Meek to take him down and control the fight from the ground. Meek continued this strategy throughout the third round winning Meek the fight by unanimous decision.
The second fight pit number 10 middleweight fighter Tim Kennedy versus welterweight fighter Kelvin Gastelum. After missing weight at UFC 205 Gastelum was picked to fight at middleweight once Kennedy's original opponent had to pull out of the fight. Kennedy come into the first round grappling Gastelum giving him no room to move. Towards the end of the round Gastelum broke out and injured Kennedy right before the bell. Going into the second round Gastelum continued to put pressure Kennedy until Gastelum TKO'd him in the third round.
The third fight of Cub Swanson versus Doo Ho Choi at featherweight is potential fight of the year. Up-and-comer Choi had a great back and forth fight with veteran Swanson. Every time Swanson would light Choi up with a furious combo Choi would come back with a fantastic barrage. At any point either fighter could have knocked out the other but with their stamina it went to decision with Swanson coming out on top.
The co-headline fight consisted of fan favorite Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone versus brawler Matt Brown in a welterweight fight. Again this fight was another back-and-forth scrap. Cerrone controlled most of the first round landing great combos but at the last second Brown rocked Cerrone to the ground as the bell rang. This caused Brown to take a little bit of control back in the second round but Cerrone cut damage Brown badly with a cut. After a friendly embrace at the beginning of the third round Cerrone kicked Brown in the head knocking Brown out.
The main event pitted Max Holloway versus Anthony Pettis for an interim championship at featherweight. Anthony Pettis ended up missing weight so only Holloway could become interim champion with a win. The first round was very back and forth with Holloway edging out Pettis with bigger blows winning the round. During the second round Pettis started to slow down throwing less big blows allowing Holloway to turn it up and really beat up Pettis. Continuing this into the third round Holloway finally TKO'd Pettis earing Holloway the interim championship, and ten consequitive wins.
