Wrestlers Go 4-2 at UFC 200

Former wrestlers were on full display in what was perhaps the biggest event in MMA history. As UFC celebrated its 200th event, wrestlers were featured in al

Jul 10, 2016 by Willie Saylor

Former wrestlers were on full display in what was perhaps the biggest event in MMA history. As UFC celebrated its 200th event, wrestlers were featured in all six of the final men's bouts. Currently, five of the top fifteen fighters in UFC's Pound-for-Pound rankings are former wrestlers, with 11 individuals ranked in the top three of their respective weight class.

- Former Bantamweight World Champion TJ Dillashaw got wrestling off on the right foot Saturday night at UFC 200. The high-motor 3x NCAA Qualifier for Cal State Fullerton punished 3rd ranked Raphael Assuncao in the second round to pace him to a unanimous decision.

Did @TJDillashaw just earn himself a chance at Cruz? #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/8LGbjucsDW
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2016

- Oklahoma State’s two-time National Champion Johny Hendricks lost for the third time in his last four fights. #12-Kelvin Gastelum outstruck Hendricks, who came in ranked 6th, 134-90.

BACK & FORTH here in the 3rd! #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/tqXQ5Cqufp
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2016

- Former Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez dominated in his first return to the Octagon following back surgery. The two-time NCAA All American from Arizona State dominated #7-Travis Browne earning a TKO with :04 left in the opening round.

Can we please just take a second to reflect on @CainMMA's Spinning Back Kick?!? That was AWESOME! #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/gWz0nZQZla
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2016

- A Clarion alumnus, Frankie Edgar, ranked 2nd at Featherweight lost his fight for the interim Featherweight title to #1 contender Jose Aldo. The decision was exactly the same score as the last Edgar-Aldo meeting of February 2013, and ends Edgar's 5-match win streak.

ON. THE. BUTTON. #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/A3QNErkK2M
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2016

- Two-time Olympian Daniel Cormier retained his Light Heavyweight title by dominating UFC legend Anderson Silva. Perhaps the best fighter in the UFC at utilizing his wrestling skills in the Octagon, Cormier took down Silva with ease and out-struck him 153-30, with a 33-17 edge in significant strikes.

The champ lands a right! #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/IHU4H7h3Rq
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2016

- Back in the UFC for the first time since 2011, Brock Lesnar won a tactical fight against the hard-hitting Mark Hunt. A 2000 NCAA Champion for the Minnesota Gophers, Lesnar stayed clear of trading punches with Hunt, and instead showed his strength and wrestling ability in taking him down four times and winning a unanimous decision.