It's been a wild year in mixed martial arts -- and it's almost fitting that the UFC would close it out with the return of Ronda Rousey. You might say 2016 left us with more questions than answers about this sport. Heading into UFC 207 on Friday, the same can be said about Rousey: more questions than answers. How will she look after more than a year off, in her first appearance since her loss to Holly Holm? And even if Rousey is at her peak, will it be enough to topple defending champion Amanda Nunes?
Questions surround the entire main card at UFC 207. Can Dominick Cruz put a cap on one of the greatest comeback years in the sport's history against Cody Garbrandt? And will TJ Dillashaw or John Lineker be waiting in the wings for the winner?
ESPN.com is here to tell you everything you need to know heading into the final pay-per-view event of the year, with our newest edition of UFC Cheat Sheets.
TJ Dillashaw (13-3) vs. John Lineker (29-7), bantamweight
"It should be about the sport"
A former bantamweight champion, Dillashaw learned a tough lesson in 2016. When it comes down to "sport" vs. "entertainment" in mixed martial arts, sometimes the latter wins out.
That's how Dillashaw sees it, at least, and it's easy to understand why. Dillashaw surrendered the 135-pound title in a split decision loss to Dominick Cruz in January -- in a fight he felt he won. According to Dillashaw, UFC brass has also told him he should have won that fight.
Despite how close the loss was, Dillashaw was not granted an immediate rematch. Instead, he fought Raphael Assuncao at UFC 200 in July.
The UFC stacked the landmark event, and Dillashaw, who won via unanimous decision, went mostly overlooked.
Meanwhile, current title challenger Cody Garbrandt knocked out Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 202 in August and was given a huge promotional push. After the win, the UFC showed Cruz on the in-house screens, so he and Garbrandt could jaw at one another. Cameras also caught a brief, verbal altercation between the two backstage.
In Dillashaw's mind, the UFC essentially made a conscious decision to create that title matchup when they afforded Garbrandt those advantages.
"I almost feel it was planned out," Dillashaw said. "When Cody fought Mizugaki, the cameras went to Cruz immediately. It's almost like they are creating and building the title fights they want instead of rewarding the guys who have earned it."
That said, Dillashaw, who trains out of Denver, said he's not focused on stirring up headlines this week. The second his focus deviates from Lineker is when things start to go wrong in the Octagon. He's hopeful one more win against a highly ranked opponent will speak enough for him.
"This guy is a little flat-footed, likes to throw big punches -- these are the kinds of opponents you can showcase yourself a little bit against," Dillashaw said.
"The UFC doesn't need to be fake about the drama. I think sometimes that can ruin it for the people who really love this sport. It should be about the sport."
Can a "brawler" win a UFC championship?
Being described as a "brawler" can be positive or negative, depending on how one chooses to take it. John Lineker, for one, has always loved it.
Arguably the hardest-hitting bantamweight in the world, Lineker doesn't just admit he's a brawler, he embraces it. Yes, he's willing to take a punch (a few even) to give one, and yes, he believes that fighting style can lead to a world title.
"Yes, I believe I am a brawler," said the Brazilian through an interpreter. "That's how I fight, looking for the fight the whole time.
"Not only is it possible for a brawler to win a UFC championship, it's probable."
A former flyweight, Lineker was forced to move up to 135 pounds last year after missing weight several times. His problems on the scale returned in October, when he came in heavy for a five-round fight against John Dodson.
Lineker said he was embarrassed by the incident and has promised to be on point this week. If he defeats Dillashaw, an issue making weight would probably be the only thing keeping him from a title shot.
"I can say that we will have no surprises at weigh-ins," Lineker said. "I felt really bad and dumb about that. I was on weight on my scale, but when I got to the official scale, I was still missing less than 1 pound. I'm really sorry to everyone about that.
"Nothing is set in stone, but me and my manager Alex Davis have agreed that to get the belt, I have to keep beating everyone in front of me until there is no longer a discussion."
Key stats
Dillashaw: 13-3 (9-3 UFC); former UFC bantamweight champion
Dillashaw: 6 wins by knockout, 3 wins by submission
Dillashaw: No. 2-ranked bantamweight fighter according to ESPN
Lineker: 29-7 (10-2 UFC); 4-0 since moving to bantamweight
Lineker: 13 wins by knockout, 4 wins by submission
Lineker: No. 4-ranked bantamweight fighter according to ESPN
Breakdown
Clash of styles here. Lineker with the unbridled aggression, power, "take one to give one" mentality. Dillashaw committed to technique, finesse, versatility.
If this were a boxing match, we'd probably call it a slugger (Lineker) vs. boxer-puncher (Dillashaw). Dillashaw is going to rely on footwork to prevent Lineker from cutting him off. Once Dillashaw creates angles with his feet, he'll be in position to counterbox and, perhaps most importantly, look for a takedown. Dillashaw has preferred standing with opponents in recent years, but his wrestling could be a major weapon against the hard-committing Lineker.
Of course, the wild card with Lineker is that it only takes one. His left hook can put any bantamweight away if he hits his mark, and as for his body shots -- just look at the face of his opponents when they land. He can turn the tide of a fight in an instant. And even though you'd expect the power puncher to fade first cardio-wise, Lineker's juggernaut, pressure style can make a good fighter wilt.
Prediction: Dillashaw ground-and-pound TKO, third round.