UFC 137 Results Recap: Hatsu Hioki vs. George Roop

[WrestlingSmarks News]

In a Featherweight fight at UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz, Hatsu Hioki barely squeaked by George Roop. Hioki took the fight via split decision, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28. This was the opening fight on the PPV card, and was Hioki's UFC debut. Roop is now 1-2 since returning to the UFC after the closing of the WEC.

This fight was built around Hioki coming into the UFC as one of the best in the world and a potential future challenger for Jose Aldo. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out that way. Though Hioki scored the win, he failed to impress in an overall uneventful fight. As would be a trend for this card, this is not a fight where the winner comes out looking strong.

What was the high spot of this fight?

As the two men got to their feet towards the end of round 2, Roop worked to get the fading crowd pumped up, firing off shots and getting the crowd into the action. It was a rare moment of excitement and passion in the overly tactical battle.

Where do these guys go from here?

One place Hioki does not go is to Jose Aldo. A big, impressive win could have moved him right into the #1 contender slot, but this didn't do it. It's hard to predict where he'll go since the Featherweight division is still in a real state of development. Perhaps the winner of Mark Hominick vs. Chan Sung Jung at UFC 140?

Roop lost, but it was not a performance that will lower his stock. He was the serious underdog, but showed a lot and very nearly defeated the Japanese ace. He is likely ready to kill some time against any one of numerous Featherweights. Both Nam Phan and Bart Palaszewski would make sense.

Watch it now, later, or never?

Never. Maybe it's the lingering taste of the entire show, but this did nothing to stand out from the crowd.



More BE coverage of UFC 137 in the full entry.

UFC 137 Results: Donald Cerrone's Destruction of Dennis Siver Vaults Him Into Relevancy - Leland Roling

UFC 137 Results: Mirko Cro Cop Retires, but What Is His Legacy? - Fraser Coffeen

UFC 137 Results: Nick Diaz Punches His Way to Momentous Opportunity - Leland Roling

UFC 137 Results: Post-Fight Press Conference Video - Matthew Roth

UFC 137 Results: Fights To Make After The Card, Where Do We Go From Here? - Matthew Roth

UFC 137 Results: Biggest Winners, Losers, and Other Thoughts - Matthew Roth

UFC 137 Results: Dana White Announces Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz - Matthew Roth

UFC 137 Results: BJ Penn vs. Nick Diaz Fight Video Highlights - Anton Tabuena

UFC 137 Results: Nick Diaz vs. B.J. Penn Post-Fight Recap and Analysis - Brent Brookhouse

UFC 137 Results: Mirko Cro Cop Announces Retirement After Loss - Fraser Coffeen

UFC 137 Results: Nick Diaz Starches BJ Penn To A Decision In A FOTY Candidate - Matthew Roth

Bad Boy Presents Bloody Elbow Radio - Episode 93: UFC 137 Results Review - Matt Bishop

UFC 137 Results: B.J. Penn Retires After Loss to Nick Diaz - Brent Brookhouse

UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz - Live Results and Play-By-Play for Pay-Per-View Fights - Brent Brookhouse

UFC 137 Results: Cheick Kongo Decisions Matt Mitrione In A Lackluster Fight - Matthew Roth

UFC 137 Results: Roy Nelson Stops Mirko Cro Cop In The Third Round - Matthew Roth

UFC 137 Results: Scott Jorgensen Wins Unanimous Decision Over Jeff Curran - Matthew Roth

UFC 137 Results: Hatsu Hioki Wins Split Decision Over George Roop - Matthew Roth

UFC 137 Results: Donald Cerrone Forces Dennis Siver To Submit - Matthew Roth

UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz - Live Results and Play-By-Play for Spike TV Prelims - Brent Brookhouse

UFC 137 Results: Bart Palaszewski Knocks Out Tyson Griffin In UFC Debut - Matthew Roth

UFC 137 Results: Brandon Vera Wins Close Decision Over Eliot Marshall - Matthew Roth

UFC 137 Results: Ramsey Nijem Dominates Danny Downes - Matthew Roth

UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz - Live Results and Play-By-Play for Facebook Prelims - Brent Brookhouse

UFC 137: Francis Carmont Dominates Chris Camozzi In UFC Debut - Matthew Roth​