Surprises and Disappointments is a column featured on MMAOddsbreaker.com after every UFC event, highlighting three fighters who had surprising performances and three fighters who disappointed. Here were the three biggest surprises and the three biggest disappointments from UFC 184. Surprises Jake Ellenberger — Jake Ellenberger had lost three-straight fights and no one knew where his head was at, but he was extremely focused against Josh Koscheck, took his time, and when the opening came he took advantage of it, scoring a rare submission inside the cage. I’m not sure what a win over Koscheck means anymore, but regardless, Ellenberger looked great and I’m excited for his next fight. Roan Carneiro — I didn’t know if Roan Carneiro would be able to handle Mark Munoz’ wrestling, but he obviously proved me wrong as he was able to take Munoz down and submit him early in their fight. I think Carneiro is super underrated and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do at welterweight. Tim Means — I wasn’t sure how Tim Means would do against Dhiego Lima, but he passed the test with flying colors as he finished the TUF 19 vet with a brilliant combination of punches and elbows in the first round. Means is a nasty striker and if he keeps improving his wrestling he’ll be tough for anyone at 170lbs to beat. Disappointments Cat Zingano — I know she was a heavy underdog, but I was still expecting more from Cat Zingano against Ronda Rousey. I thought she would be a tough test for the champ, but it turned out to be Rousey’s easiest fight in the UFC yet as Zingano was tapped out by an armbar in just 14 seconds. Zingano is a good fighter, but she’ll need to be mentally strong to bounce back from such a devastating loss. Mark Munoz — For the third-straight fight, Mark Munoz was stopped, this time by Roan Carneiro. I like Munoz as a person and at one point he was a good fighter, but it’s time he retires from the sport. I don’t want to keep seeing him get knocked out and submitted, and I don’t think anyone else does either. James Krause — James Krause was very vocal on Twitter and in interviews the last few weeks about the UFC’s controversial new sponsor deal with Reebok, but perhaps he should have been more focused on his fight with Valmir Lazaro as he ended up losing via split decision. Krause is a solid fighter but after losing his last two fights, the UFC may very well release him. I’d like to see him get one more fight though.
