In MMA you never know what’s going to happen.

This weekend was filled with a ton of different fights ranging from all different skill levels, gender, and weight classes. Of all the fights this weekend the two that are likely to be remembered occurred in two different promotions: Bellator MMA and the UFC. In Bellator MMA we saw Darrion Caldwell take on the unheralded Joe Taimanglo. UFC on Fox 20 was headlined by Holly Holm and Valentina Shevchenko. Both bouts ended in huge upsets that will change the landscape of the Bantamweight divisions in both promotions. When we got to the third round of Caldwell versus Taimanglo in their Bellator MMA Bantamweight match, it seemed like a foregone conclusion as to what was going to happen. Caldwell would shoot in for a takedown and drag Taimanglo to the mat for some more suffocating top control. Except that’s not what happened at all. Taimanglo was ready for the shot and slapped on a well timed, excellently executed arm in guillotine that had Caldwell tapping in seconds. Caldwell made one of the grave mistakes of high level MMA. He telegraphed his game plan. Taimanglo and his corner were so sure that Caldwell would be looking for a takedown again in the third that they were able to assess that a guillotine would be the best option to secure a win. Caldwell should have kept things on the feet for a bit at least to throw off Taimanglo who was being grounded all fight. When you know exactly what your opponent wants to do it’s fairly simple to make a gameplan to counter. It’s all on the fighter whether that game plan can be executed or not. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUybCH6XAcE Over in the UFC we saw Holly Holm get out struck by Valentina Shevchenko. It was a tactical match up with both women shinning in spots, but it was ultimately Shevchenko who was able to adapt to the situation and land consistent, quality offense as Holm came forward. Like Darrion Caldwell, Holly Holm made the grave mistake of telegraphing her game plan. She chose to keep the fight entirely in the striking realm not even attempting a takedown or at least initiating the clinch. For that reason Shevchenko was able to fight comfortably with her muay thai. Holm repeatedly threw a right upper jab, left straight combination that Shevchenko was able to counter beautifully with a right check hook. Through that tactical timing and brilliance Shevchenko picked up the biggest win of her MMA career. It was the first time that Holly Holm suffered two back to back losses in her combat career. So what can both these fights teach us about the game? Firstly, you never know what the hell will happen from fight to fight. Second, the upset is perhaps the most crushing and exhilarating thing to watch depending on where you stand. Both Holm and Caldwell were favored to win their matches and both suffered crushing defeats. In a sport where anything can happen you have to know as a fighter that your time on the top can easily be taken away. Even at your best all it takes is a few mistakes to separate you from victory or defeat. Were you shocked by the upsets this weekend? Let us know by hitting up our comments below or head on over to our official Facebook and Twitter.

Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.