MMA Gradebook: Rating Every Fight From UFC Newark

If you’re like us and watch an absurd amount of mixed martial arts each week, you probably wish there were some sort of rating system so you’re not forced to sit through a boring fight waiting for something to happen. In order to help, we rate the fights on major cards for your convenience. If you happen to miss an event, check back here for ratings so you can pick and choose which bouts to watch and which to skip.

Fights are ranked on the scale shown below, based on competitiveness, the skill and technique on display, excitement, and the story and drama of the contest. Wherever possible, the fights are described without spoiling the outcomes. Here's the MMA Gradebook for UFC on ESPN 5: Covington vs. Lawler.

Miranda Granger vs. Hannah Goldy

We open up the card with a battle between two undefeated prospects in Granger (4-0) and Goldy (2-0). Goldy was a standout on Dana White's Contender Series and also has a win over top prospect Gillian Robertson. Granger, on the other hand, is making her UFC debut and all four of her wins have been finishes.

This fight could have been great because they were standing and trading in the pocket when they got close but most of the fight was spent reading each other from the outside with the occasional leading combo. I was impressed by both women’s technique though and will definitely be keeping an eye on them in the future. [2.0]

Claudio Henrique da Silva vs. Cole Williams

Next up we have Silva, returning to the Octagon for just the fifth time in five years to take on Williams, who is making his UFC debut at 35 years old. The fight went precisely how everyone expected but it's still worth the watch. [3.0]

Lauren Murphy vs. Mara Romero Borella

Former Invicta Bantamweight champion Murphy takes on Italian judoka Borella, who is 2-1 since joining the UFC in 2017 while Murphy is a lackluster 2-4. Definitely skip to the third round on this one as the first two were going to get this fight a 1-star rating. [2.5]

Jordan Espinosa vs. Matt Schnell

Espinosa, who had two finishes on the Contender Series, takes on Schnell, who is on a three-fight winning streak, in this flyweight bout. Quick finish and beautiful technique from the winner earns this one 3.5 stars.

Antonina Shevchenko vs. Lucie Pudilova

Antonia Shevchenko steps inside the octagon for the second time to take on Lucie Pudilova who is on a two-fight losing streak. Just like Jon Anik said during the broadcast, this fight had a little bit of everything, and the finish was one of the best of the night. [4.0]

Mickey Gall vs. Salim Touahri

We cap off the prelims with fan favorite Gall taking on Touahri, who has yet to get his first UFC win after two fights. Wild, sloppy, but very fun fight to end the prelims. Sometimes it’s nice to forget about technique for a while and enjoy watching two guys leave it all in the cage. [3.0]

Darko Stosic vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu

Tragic fight and the highlight was how referee Gary Copland handled the consecutive low blows. [0.0]

Scott Holtzman vs. Dong Hyun Ma

After a stagnant first round, both men came out swinging in the second and put on a show. Anti-climatic finish but the second round alone is worth the watch. [3.0]

Trevin Giles vs. Gerald Meerschaert

Meerschaert returns to the Octagon for the eighth time to take on the young Giles who is 2-1 since joining the UFC. Yet another boring fight with a late finish that saved the rating.

Another boring fight with a finish at the end that saved it. [2.0]

Joaquim Silva vs. Nasrat Haqparast

Brazil’s Silva takes on Germany’s Haqparast in this battle between prospects. Quick fight and a brilliant showcase from the winner earns this 3.5 stars.

Jim Miller vs. Clay Guida

Longtime UFC veterans -- one already in the UFC Hall of Fame’s fight wing, both possibly headed for the fighter wing -- finally battle it out for the first time in their 10-plus year careers. A wild and short fight that was exactly what everyone wanted between these two. The fight was under a minute but there were still momentum shifts and knockdowns before the finish. [4.0]

Colby Covington vs. Robbie Lawler

The self-proclaimed bad guy of MMA takes on the legendary Robbie Lawler in this main event with the winner earning a title shot against Kamaru Usman. This was a very one-sided fight but the showcase of technique and ridiculous output from the winner earns this a slightly above average rating. The winner broke the record for most strikes thrown in a fight with 541 and didn’t slow down one bit for 25 minutes. [2.5]