NOVEMBER 4, 2017 – After so much hype, trash talk, and jaw-dropping moments leading up to the event, it was finally time for the 217th edition of the Ultimate Fight Club to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. There was no need for McGregor-styled press conferences to build the fights — the amazing matchups caused enough anticipation for the event. The three main fights that took place did not disappoint. Three new champions were crowned for the the first time in UFC history.  Along with this astonishing record, the event featured twelve knockdowns, and the UFC-Reebok Athletic Outfitting payout totaled $315,000.

The main female event of the night featured the reigning strawweight champion from Poland, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, to fight against the challenger, Rose Namajunas. Jedrzejczyk had spent time before the fight training and taunting Namajunas at press conferences, making the challenger an American favorite. She did not disappoint. In the first round, young Rose Namajunas landed a counter-right punch on the champion and Jedrzejczyk was sent falling down onto the canvas. After reestablishing herself, the defending champion took another hit from Namajunas. Jedrzejczyk was sent to the ground while Namajunas pursued her. The referee immediately called a stoppage to the fight in round one, and Rose Namajunas was crowned the new UFC strawweight champion.

The next fight featured Cody Garbrandt, who was defending his UFC Bantamweight title, against TJ Dillashaw. It was Cody’s first title defense. During the first round, it had looked as if Garbrandt was going to win. Garbrandt ended the round with a heavy blow to Dillashaw’s face sending him to the ground. To turn things around, Dillashaw started the second round more aggressively. Garbrandt was forced to scramble after a kick by Dillashaw knocked him down. However, the aggressive Dillashaw sent a devastating right hook to Garbrandt’s face which brought Garbrandt’s winning streak and title reign to an end.

Up next was one of the most anticipated fights of the year; it was finally time for Georges St. Pierre to fight Michael Bisping. Bisping was defending his middleweight belt against St. Pierre, who had not fought in four years. St. Pierre decided to go on a hiatus four years ago; many fans thought he had retired. However, Dana White gave St. Pierre a chance to seize the opportunity to reclaim a belt against one of the best middleweight fighters in mixed martial arts. The two fighters exchanged punches in the early minutes of the fight. Georges St. Pierre eventually began to use his wrestling takedown tactics. Close to the middle of the third round, St. Pierre floored Bisping with a clean right hook. As Pierre hammered away, Bisping refused to give in and continued to try blocking punches. As Bisping attempted to get up, St. Pierre caught him in a chokehold and the referee stopped the fight. Both fans and commentators were in hysterics. It was an amazing, yet scary moment. Georges St. Pierre, coming back from a four-year hiatus, looked better than ever before. Many had doubts about St. Pierre winning due to his aged form and his four years away from the ring, yet fans witnessed an improved and more agressive St. Pierre at UFC 217. If anything, this should be a warning to other UFC fighters — Georges St. Pierre is back!