5 Talking Points from UFC Fight Night Zagreb: Dos Santos vs Rothwell

The Beneficiary

By his own making and chance, Reem might be the next one to step out from the wings for the belt

Such is the nature of the loss that Rothwell suffered that it is surely bound to set him back at least a step or two in his quest for UFC gold. And despite a masterful performance, Junior dos Santos isn’t quite ready for the title shot either as he just seems to have turned the corner with his victory.

Furthermore, with perennial contender and former champion Cain Velasquez slated to fight Travis Browne at UFC 200, Sunday night’s results could well end up unwittingly favouring the cause of Dutch superstar, Alaistair Overeem.

Pending the result of the UFC 198 headliner between Stipe Miocic and Fabricio Werdum, Alaistair Overeem seems to have outlasted the the other potential suitors to the Heavyweight Title should he manage to successfully navigate the upcoming challenge of fellow Jackson-Wink Teammate Andrei Arlovski.

However given the unpredictability in heavyweight bouts, succinctly encapsulated by the none other than a resurgent Junior dos Santos, it would take a brave man to bet either way.

Nevertheless, few in the MMA world would disagree with the premise that it could only bode well for the sport that the UFC Heavyweight division seems wide open yet again.