5 Biggest talking points from UFC Fight Night Boston

Dominick Cruz holding the Bantamweight Title aloft to the fans, after his against-all-odds victory over TJ DillashawCould you blame the man for the air of vindication that he exudes? So often we talk about being a sportive loser or a graceful winner, but even the most politically correct person would forgive Dominick Cruz if he stood atop a mountain and screamed, “I told you so!”After only competing for 61 seconds in 4 years, otherwise frequented by injuries that other athletes may consider career-ending, Dominick Cruz’s tale of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds to achieve the unthinkable wrapped up the day’s proceedings on an inspirational vein.While the remainder of the main card wasn’t an eye-popping spectacle by any stretch of an imagination, except perhaps for Matt Mitrione, UFC Fight Night Boston did boast its fair share of crests and troughs to keep fight fans sufficiently entertained throughout.As is becoming the habit with UFC events off late, this one did not have any dearth of talking points upon completion as we take a look at the 5 biggest takeaways from a show that has – by the end of it – left us pinching ourselves a little in an attempt to affirm reality.

#1 Goodb\'eye\' Mitrione?

Matt Mitrione’s eye was a gruesome sight to behold in what could possibly have been his UFC swan song

Between unsettling allegations of domestic abuse, dating public enemy number one (yes, Ronda Rousey) and getting knocked out in a volcanic eruption of a fight against Andre Arlovski, Travis Browne understandably headed into his first test of 2016 with a chip on his shoulder.

And although he stopped a battered Matt Mitrione to further his upward run in the Heavyweight division, the two inadvertent eye pokes in the lead up to the finish certainly did Browne no favours with the somewhat caustic reception that he has been subjected to of late.

As for Matt Mitrione, a loss that has left him with a separate shoulder, broken orbital bone and a grotesque hematoma to boot, may spell the unceremonious end of his UFC career.

With his contract attaining completion after this fight, and the ex-NFL star getting no younger at 37, perhaps now could be an opportune moment to explore free agency and test the MMA waters outside of the company as well.

#2 Jack of all Trades or Master of One?

Like Eddie Alvarez opined before the fight, merely boasting a flashy range of kicks did not serve Anthony Pettis sufficiently during their encounter

Much like the WWE do not recognize TNA, the UFC do not brazenly profess their knowledge of a promotion named Bellator, or that Eddie Alvarez was its lightweight champion – twice.

However, with a high-profile victory over ex-UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis, Alvarez has set about solidifying his status in the company and making a case for a title shot in the looming future, albeit pending the various permutations that the talent-stacked division could throw up.

In keeping with his pre-fight premise that being well-rounded in all aspects of MMA is more beneficial than being lopsidedly good in certain facets – but possessing glaring holes in others – Eddie Alvarez exploited Pettis’ patented weakness against wrestling to grind out a split decision victory.

Although if rumours are to be believed, there may be a Dagestani force of nature by name of Khabib Nurmagomedov waiting in the wings, before the clear-cut route to UFC Gold finally materialises for the ex-Bellator Champion.

#3 Chinks in his Armour

Eddie Alvarez exploited Anthony Pettis’ inability to skive off takedowns to claim a split decision victory

Worryingly for Pettis fans, the single minded determination and resolve that champions ideally display in order to climb back up their perch after being dethroned was something that was merely contained in his rhetoric before the fight, while not overtly evident in his approach during the course of it.

Repeatedly taken down by Eddie Alvarez – who for his part sacrificed his trademark war-prone style to stick to his game plan of grinding out a victory – another insipid display coming off the back of the beating he took at the hands of Rafael Dos Anjos has raised concerns over the level of aspiration that “Showtime” may possess.

So whether Anthony Pettis decides to knuckle down and make a run at the Championsip belt once again, or is content to just be a popular draw in a division fraught with killers, he does have some glaring chinks in his armour that he has to first straighten out in order to hang with the best.

#4 A Fall from Elevation?

After joining Elevation Fight Team since becoming Champion, TJ Dillashaw’s choices are bound to be dissected following his loss

Having been vilified and on the receiving end of torrents of vitriol from the fans, all for a career decision that caught the attention of Conor McGregor, TJ Dillashaw had to leave Boston with a victory in order to perhaps vindicate his call of following Duane Ludwig out of Team Alpha Male.

However, as things would turn out, a withering reptilian connotation was all Dillashaw was left to contend with as he came off worse in his Bantamweight Title fight against the returning Dominick Cruz, thereby also losing out on major padding ground that was accorded to him coming into the fight – his status as champion.

Now without a title strapped around his waist, and estranged from the team that had originally picked him up off the collegiate mats, TJ Dillashaw’s career has perhaps honed in on crossroads, with his next step likely to truly set the tone for his legacy after his first one was proven to be a false start.

#5 Return of the dominator

Although the fight itself was razor close, Dominick Cruz plunged the MMA fraternity into amazement with a masterful performance

“Remember, ring rust is nothing more than mental weakness.”

Words that may prove to be prophetic in the ever-evolving sport of MMA given that it was uttered by the fighter possibly coming off the worst injury crisis that the UFC has ever seen, en route to capturing the Bantamweight Title again.

Let that sink in for a moment.

3 ACL tears and 1 groin tear couldn’t keep Dominick Cruz away from the Octagon, and Plantar fascia tendonitis in his left foot couldn’t keep him down during the fight as he somehow braved the pain to dance his way to victory against TJ Dillashaw.

Then again, for a fighter who claims to have ACL surgeries for breakfast, could you be surprised?

For all the doubters that claimed that Dominick Cruz was done, or that his 4-year hiatus would have seen the sport pass him by, his performance against TJ Dillashaw was an emphatic statement of riposte.

Not only is Dominick Cruz back and here to stay – but not unlike his WEC days or an initial stint in the UFC – it still seems that it is the sport, and not him, that is ultimately playing catch-up.