UFC FIGHT NIGHT 59
JANUARY 18, 2015
LIVE FROM BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
=====UFC Fight Pass Prelims Quick Results=====
-Joby Sanchez def. Tateki Matsuda via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
-Sean O’Connell def. Matt Van Buren via TKO at 2:11 of the third round
=====Fox Sports 1 Prelims=====
-The UFC is sporting a new graphics package for this event tonight. It’s slick. Goldie and Rogan run down what’s to come from the top two fights, then it’s on to the first fight of the prelims.
PRELIM FIGHT ONE: SEAN SORIANO VS. CHARLES ROSA (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Rosa opened with a leg kick, switching up his stance as he circled around. Soriano got in a hard leg kick of his own after avoiding a side kick. Soriano got inside with a hard kick. Rosa caught a kick and scored a takedown. Soriano tried to lock in a triangle choke, but Rosa had his arm in to fight it. Rosa stayed patient, trying to ride out the attempt, but Soriano kept trying for it. He finally let it go, but scrambled to his feet after releasing the hold. Rosa tried to press in but Soriano held him off with a couple of counter strikes. Rosa shot in but got stuffed. Action was halted to tend to some glove tap, and then they started back up. Soriano landed a few strikes as Rosa tried to press forward. Rosa connected on a short combination. Soriano landed a hard kick. He got in a solid counter left. Rosa landed a straight left with a right hand behind it. Rosa connected on another combination. Soriano landed a nice counter, but Rosa shot in and took him down. Soriano got to his feet and they battled in the clinch. Soriano backed off. Soriano landed a hard counter left, then a knee, then a kick to the body. Nice sequence. Rosa clinched, then shot in late, but Soriano sprawled and just missed a knee at the horn.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Soriano. Solid opening frame for Soriano, and even though Rosa took him down a couple times, it was Soriano with more offense there as well.
ROUND TWO: Soriano landed a hard leg kick, then a left hand. Rosa tried to press forward, but Soriano landed some counter-strikes. Soriano popped in with a few hard strikes. Rosa landed a nice straight right. He connected hard with a right hand. Soriano landed a hard kick to the body. Rosa caught it, but couldn’t capitalize, and got taken down himself. Rosa tried to attack Soriano’s leg, but had to give the attempt up. He rolled out and scrambled to his feet, but Soriano tripped him up. He stood, then rolled for a leg lock, but Soriano easily defended. Rosa then went for an armbar and managed to drop Soriano to a bad position. Soriano broke free, but Rosa wound up on top. Soriano scrambled to his feet and went for a trip, but Rosa again wound up on top in side control. He passed to mount, then Soriano gave up his back. Soriano managed to escape and get back to his feet. Soriano then shot in, and they scrambled for position. Rosa got to his feet and went for a Peruvian neck tie to the horn! Soriano survived. Fun round.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Rosa. Evened thing up with an aggressive but effective ground attack.
ROUND THREE: Soriano landed another hard leg kick to start things off. Rosa got in a few punches, but sloppy, and he ate several in response from Soriano. Soriano got in another few punches with a knee behind it. Soriano landed another hard leg kick. Soriano tripped backward on an attempted knee and let Rosa get on top in half guard. Rosa passed to side control, then easily to mount. Soriano gave up his back, but Rosa couldn’t get his hooks in. Soriano shook Rosa off and stood above him. Rosa locked on another armbar! Soriano picked him up and slammed him, but it allowed Rosa to roll through and get on top again. Soriano sprawled, and Rosa spun around to take his back. Soriano got to his feet and clinched Rosa to the cage. Soriano got in a hard knee and a couple of other strikes. He got a body kick in, but Rosa drove in and took him down at the cage. Rosa took his back, then tried to sneak in a guillotine. He used it to get back on top, then went for a D’Arce choke. The ref called it. Soriano tried to say he didn’t tap, but the ref argued with him and said he did. Really nice finish there for Rosa. Replay was a bit awkward there as it wasn’t a full “tap” motion, more one little pat. Regardless, it’s a win for Rosa.
WINNER: Rosa via submission (D’Arce choke) at 4:43 of the third round
STAR RATING: (**) Entertaining exchanges on the ground for the most part there. Soriano just left his defense as wide open as the Green Bay Packers in that third round, and Rosa took advantage with a nice submission.
PRELIM FIGHT TWO: JOHNNY CASE VS. FRANKIE PEREZ (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Case missed an opening leg kick, but Perez connected on his. After a brief grappling exchange at the cage, Case got himself on top and in Perez’s guard. Perez tried to get some space to get out, but Case dropped down some hard strikes from the top. Perez tried to get something going from the bottom, but Case broke it up with a couple of strikes. Perez scrambled out, but Case stayed on him and landed several big body strikes as he stood above him. Perez landed some push kicks and the ref finally gave him space to stand. Case landed a good leg kick. Perez landed a couple of hard kicks before the end of the round.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Case. Effective enough offense on the ground, solid control. Good round for Case.
ROUND TWO: Case landed a couple of hard kicks. He popped Perez’s head back with a right hand. Case landed a nice kick to the body. He avoided a spinning kick from Perez. Perez went high with a kick and Case smiled. Perez shot in, got stuffed, then went for a heel hook. Case tried to turn into him, and landed some hard strikes, ultimately forcing Perez to let it go and giving him top position in half guard. Perez scrambled to the cage, but got taken back down just as he nearly got to his feet. He dragged him back to the center and stayed busy in the guard.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Case. Perez needs to find a finish because Case has controlled him here.
ROUND THREE: Case opened aggressively with a couple of hard punches and a few kicks. Case shot in for a single leg, completed the takedown, the tried to pass to mount. He completed the pass, then Perez gave up his back. He tried to explode out, but Case stayed on him, passed back to mount, landed a big elbow, then unleashed an unanswered string of strikes to force the ref to step in. Very nice performance from Case tonight.
WINNER: Case via TKO at 1:54 of the third round
STAR RATING: (**) Fairly one-sided fight, as Case did what Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers offense failed to do tonight, keeping the pressure on until he put his opponent away. Just a really nice showing from the young competitor.
PRELIM FIGHT THREE: PATRICK HOLOHAN VS. SHANE HOWELL (FLYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Holohan tried to pressure early. He backed Howell up and landed a few strikes. Howell landed a leg kick. Holohan kept pressuring and scored a takedown into half guard off a kick from Howell. Holohan took Howell’s back in a scramble. He landed a hard elbow, locked on a body triangle, and tried to work for a choke. Howell defended well initially. Holohan got his arm under Howell’s chin, but didn’t have the other hand to lock it on. He transitioned to the choke on the other side, and it looked tight, but Howell got free. Holohan held position on the back, unleashing some big strikes from back mount. Conor McGregor was shown on screen backstage watching the fight and the crowd cheered. Howell rolled out late and got on top, riding out the round in Holohan’s guard.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Holohan. Very good round for the Irishman, but nice defense from Howell to avoid the finish there.
ROUND TWO: Holohan tried to press in early in the round. Howell landed a couple of strikes and moved forward. Holohan connected on a couple of grazing strikes. Holohan landed a hard left hand to the jaw. Holohan kept pressing in and landed a couple of body strikes. He landed a strike and shot in, dragging Howell to the ground with a trip at the cage. Howell tried to kick off the cage as Holohan was in north-south, but Holohan remained on top and passed to half guard. He moved their body position a bit and tried to pass out to full mount. He got to side control, then took Howell’s back when it was given. he tried to lock on a late choke, but lost it. Howell landed an elbow and turned into Holohan just before the horn.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Holohan. He’s in control into the last round. He should roll, unless he’s been taking cues from the Packers, of course.
ROUND THREE: Howell tried to pressure a bit in the first minute of the round, but didn’t land much of significance. He kept pressing forward as Holohan circled on the outside. Howell landed a hard uppercut to the body. Holohan landed a kick. Howell landed a few punches in combination. Holohan fired back. Howell landed another right hand. Holohan pressed in for a takedown, scored it, and locked on the body triangle. He went for the rear naked choke, but didn’t have it under the chin. Howell continued to defend, but Holohan stayed on him. He turned him over and flattened him out, but Howell got to a knee. Holohan again went for the choke, but couldn’t complete it before the horn.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Holohan. One sided win for the Irishman even though he couldn’t get the finish.
WINNER: Holohan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (*+) Wasn’t all that thrilling a fight, but it was a solid and one-sided performance from Holohan in front of a partisan crowd.
PRELIM FIGHT FOUR: ZHANG LIPENG VS. CHRIS WADE (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Lipeng landed a groin strike immediately and the action halted right off the bat. They got moving again and Wade landed a nice high kick. He shot in and clinched, driving Lipeng to the cage. They battled on the cage, Wade grabbed a headlock, and pulled off a strength throw, sneaking around into half guard on top. Wade landed some elbows in tight. Lipeng got to his feet at the cage, with Wade trying to stay on him in the clinch. Lipeng landed another groin strike, and they were separated. Lipeng was warned. On the restart, they traded leg kicks. Lipeng slipped on a kick and Wade tried to engage. They clinched, this time with Lipeng driving Wade to the cage. The action stalled out against the cage like Green Bay’s second half offense. Wade turned Lipeng around, and they continued to jockey for position. The round ended in the clinch.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Wade. Not a lot to this one at all thus far, but he’s got the slight edge.
ROUND TWO: Wade drove Lipeng to the cage early, but after a minute of fighting he almost lost position. He stayed on Lipeng’s legs, though, and they continued the clinch battle. Wade tried to grab a headlock, but Lipeng got out. They continued to battle in the clinch on the cage, though it was about as entertaining as an Aaron Rodgers State Farm commercial. Lipeng landed yet another low blow with a knee to the cup on the cage. Third of the fight. The referee gave Wade time to continue, then took a point from Lipeng once Wade was able to go. As they restarted, Wade tried to engage, with Lipeng trying to hold him back with some strikes. Wade got in close and scored the takedown. He tried to advance position, eventual getting to Lipeng’s side, finishing out the round there.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-8 Wade. The point deduction has him way ahead, but so very little is happening in this fight.
ROUND THREE: Wade pressed in and it was back to a clinch battle. Lipeng tried to trip Wade up a minute and a half in, but Wade countered and wound up on top. Lipeng tried to scramble and managed to get to his feet after minimal offense from Wade. Lipeng tried to get in some offense, but Wade turned him around and dragged him to the ground. More control from Wade without much offense. Lipeng got up to his feet, but Wade stayed on him and delivered a timely knee to the head with the hands up, then got in some knees to the body. He pressured Lipeng to the ground and continued throwing pitter patter strikes. He stayed on him through the horn.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Wade. Another clear round in his favor, this decision should absolutely go his way.
WINNER: Wade via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
STAR RATING: (*-) Not much of a fight. Just really dull clinch work through most of that 15 minute bout.
PRELIM FIGHT FIVE: JOHN HOWARD VS. LORENZ LARKIN (WELTERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Howard landed an early leg kick that spun Larkin around. Larkin landed a body kick that Howard caught, driving him back to the cage in the clinch. Larkin circled out and landed a nice knee. He landed a left hook. Howard landed a hard leg kick. Howard got in another leg kick. Larkin landed a couple of punches, but they just grazed Howard. Larkin connected on the jab again. Larkin continued to have success on the jabs. Howard got in a few more jabs. Larkin rocked Howard with a right hand, He knocked Howard down with a left hand. Howard went for a desperation takedown. Larkin looked at Herb Dean like Howard was loopy and it should be stopped, Dean had him continue, and Larkin just unloaded a ton of strikes that forced Dean to stop it. That might be the best Larkin has ever looked.
WINNER: Larkin via TKO at 2:17 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**+) Just fantastic work from Larkin. Succeeding where the Green Bay Packers failed, Larkin completely quieted Howard’s hometown crowd with an absolutely fantastic welterweight debut.
-Mike Goldberg brings NASCAR’s Kevin Harvick in for a promo on their first race of the year. FS1 cross promotion!
PRELIM FIGHT SIX: CATHAL PENDRED VS. SEAN SPENCER (WELTERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Spencer landed a counter left as Pendred pressed in for a clinch. Pendred went for the trip, but couldn’t complete it. The crowd went into a loud “Ole, ole, ole, ole” chant. Pendred scored a takedown at the cage and tried to improve position. Spencer worked back to his feet, with Pendred staying on him in the clinch. They finally separated with three minutes left in the round. Pendred connected on an inside leg kick. Spencer rocked Pendred with three consecutive right hands and dropped him. Pendred avoided a ground shot and got to his feet, but ate a few more punches before grabbing the clinch. Pendred separated. He came forward with a strike that connected. Pendred landed a body kick. Spencer connected on a left hand. Spencer missed a couple of winging right hands as his corner called for him to engage. Pendred ducked under a shot and scored a takedown to the cage. Spencer worked to his feet, then circled away, landing a body kick in the process. Pendred connected on an uppercut at the horn.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Spencer. Pendred hurt him bad, and though he had some takedowns and some other offense, the knockdown and other strikes were the most significant piece of the round.
ROUND TWO: They traded a few ineffectual strikes early. Spencer landed a right hand, getting in a body kick behind it. Pendred landed a couple of strikes that were partially blocked. Spencer got back in with a left. Pendred telegraphed an uppercut. Pendred landed a kick to the body. Spencer landed a hard left hand in a combination. Pendred landed a right hand. Spencer tossed out a head kick that was blocked. He landed a few jabs as Pendred tried to land leg kicks. Pendred got in another leg kick with a few punches behind. They traded kicks. Pendred tossed in an uppercut. Spencer landed a right hand. Spencer landed another short combination. He landed a big overhand right after ducking under a strike. Pendred shot in but got stuffed. He stayed on Spencer and completed the takedown into side control. He went for a kimura with 30 seconds left. He locked a leg scissors on Spencer’s neck as he tried to wrench the arm, but Spencer got out and to his feet and landed a big strike before the horn.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Spencer. The judges might give Pendred that round, but Spencer’s striking offense was still the difference.
ROUND THREE: Neither landed much effectively in the opening 30 seconds. Pendred landed a right hand. Spencer fired back. Pendred got in a solid leg kick after a failed shot. Pendred tried to use his awkward movement to get in kicks, but Spencer popped his head back with a few strikes. Pendred landed two hard strikes. Pendred got in a jumping kick to the body. Spencer landed a few jabs. The crowd tried to spur Pendred on as neither was really doing much. Pendred landed a jab. Pendred shot in with just over a minute left. Spencer held it off. endred backed off with a left. He threw an ugly spinning kick that missed. He scored a late takedown. Spencer turned into him and Pendred went to a sprawl, but Spencer got back up. Spencer landed a couple of strikes. Both missed some strikes before the horn.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Pendred. I guess. Very little from either fighter that round, could see it going either way. Should be Spencer’s fight, but who knows.
WINNER: Pendred via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (n/a) Robbery of the year candidate right there. I just don’t even have the words. 30-27 Pendred is as bad of a scorecard as we’ve ever seen out of a UFC fight. There’s zero justification for it. Judges handing Pendred the win as bad as referees sending Green Bay into the NFC Championship game last week.
=====Fox Sports 1 Main Card=====
-The intro video, opening comments from Goldie and Rogan, and another video package are all on McGregor here, as expected. It’s on him to follow through tonight.
MAIN CARD FIGHT ONE: NORMAN PARKE VS. GLEISON TIBAU (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Parke threw out a few kicks from the outside. They briefly clinched, Parke circled out. Tibau tried to walk Parke down, but missed a winging strike. They each blocked kicks. Tibau checked a kick. Tibau landed a couple of hard counter strikes. Parke got in a solid straight kick to the body. All of the exchanges were sprinkled in intermittentl in the first half of the round. Tibau landed a hard left hand. Parke threw a spinning kick to the body, but Tibau may have been just out of range. Parke landed a nice left hand. Tibau stuffed a takedown, then got in a knee to the body and a left hook on the separation. Tibau landed another left hand. Parke connected on a couple of strikes, but Tibau countered well with a left hand. Both missed a few strikes. They traded kicks to the body. They clinched in the center. Parke got in a knee. Tibau returned the favor. They traded knees again. Parke went for a late throw but Tibau sidestepped it. Neither landed anything before the horn.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Tibau. Slightly more effective overall in that round. Park had some offense, but Tibau was more comfortable in his striking that frame.
ROUND TWO: Parke stumbled on a spinning kick, and Tibau tried to rush him, but Parke got free after a brief clinch. They each tossed out some kicks. Tibau got in a hard kick. Parke tried to press in. Tibau landed a strike. They clinched and battled there, but neither advanced. Parke backed off and they separated. Both landed a few strikes. Tibau timed a shot well and took Parke down at the cage. Parke got up to his feet nicely and turned into him at the cage. They jockeyed for position, and Tibau wound up scoring another brief takedown, only for Parke to pop back to his feet. Tibau got in a hard knee. They kept the battle in the clinch for a while. Tibau got in a couple of kicks then stuffed a takedown attempt at the horn.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Tibau. Parke’s going to need to do something in the third to finish this one.
ROUND THREE: Parke failed on an early takedown attempt. They each missed some strikes. Parke got in a strike. Tibau responded with a knee. Neither really going for much here. Parke got in with a left hand. They traded some more strikes. Tibau tried to lock on a standing guillotine but Parke easily got out. Very little of note happening here. Parke kept moving forward, but again, neither was really connecting on anything real damaging. Tibau shot in with under a minute left but got stuffed. Parke got in a left hand. Both swung and missed. They squared off as the horn sounded.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Parke. I suppose. Dull round to close out what wasn’t really much of a fight.
WINNER: Tibau via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (*) It was a Gleison Tibau fight. Better than watching Green Bay every Sunday, at least.
-Now’s the time for more filler, as they go to Los Angeles for a look ahead to next week’s UFC on Fox 14 event from Sweden.
MAIN CARD FIGHT TWO: URIAH HALL VS. RON STALLINGS (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Hall opened with a flying knee that was partially blocked. Stallings pressed forward at Hall. Hall landed a couple of kicks. Stallings landed a leg kick but ate a stiff jab. Hall missed a spinning kick. Hall dropped his hands as he circled on the outside. Stallings landed a side kick to the body, then blocked a couple of kicks from Hall. Stallings landed a hard outside leg kick. Hall got in a hard kick to the body. He landed another of those straight kicks. Hall missed another spinning kick. Stallings tried to stay in close to Hall. They traded jabs. Stallings landed a hard left hand. Stallings kept the pressure on Hall. Hall then knocked Stallings down with a short right hand. He pounced on the ground and landed some big strikes on the ground. Stallings rolled to his knees, then to his back. Hall made him stand. Stallings left eye/cheek exploded from that rush of strikes. They brought the doctor in to check the cut. It wasn’t clear how bad it was until they showed a close-up. The doctor called it off. His eyebrow and cheek were just shredded up. Nastiness from a straight right by Hall, and it wasn’t even a full force strike.
WINNER: Hall via TKO (doctor’s stoppage – cut) at 3:37 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**) Look, Hall has a ton of talent, there’s no question on that. He’s just been his own worst enemy. Here, he was just better than a late notice opponent, and delivered. He needs to do more of that.
-Chad Mendes vs. Ricardo Lamas is coming at the UFC Fight Night event in Fairfax, Va. on April 4. Also, that FS1 card will air in the afternoon! Early day MMA!
MAIN CARD FIGHT THREE: BENSON HENDERSON VS. DONALD CERRONE (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Cerrone took the center. Henderson popped in but ate a jab. Cerrone landed a two-fight combo. Henderson got in on a side kick to the lead leg. Cerrone landed a couple of punches. Henderson popped in a punch to the thigh. They traded strikes in the center of the cage. Henderson landed a nice right hook. Henderson connected on an outside leg kick. Cerrone returned fire. Cerrone landed a punch to the body. Henderson got in a straight left to the body. Henderson connected on a hard kick to the body. He landed a nice step in jab that popped Cerrone’s head back. Henderson landed a couple of right hand strikes. Henderson landed a few side kicks to the thigh of Cerrone. He landed a few more, then Cerrone popped in a two-punch combo. Cerrone got back in with a good right hand. Henderson back to the lead leg side kick. They traded strikes in the middle, with Henderson landing a good left. Cerrone got in a solid body kick. Cerrone got in the outside leg kick before the horn.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Henderson. Both got in their fair share of offense, but I think Henderson was a bit more effective with his strikes, even as he was countering.
ROUND TWO: Henderson landed the front kick to the thigh, then Cerrone unloaded a hard body kick. Henderson got in a couple more kicks. Cerrone landed a couple of strikes. They clinched briefly, with Henderson breaking out with a knee. Cerrone got in another hard kick. Henderson with another side kick. He threw a few punches but didn’t fully land. Henderson timed a knee nicely as Cerrone ducked in. Henderson landed a few strikes. Cerrone landed a good left hand. Henderson kept throwing the kicks as Cerrone tried to walk him down. Henderson landed a few punches and avoided the counters. Henderson landed a hard right. He landed a good body kick, then caught the leg. He landed a few more side kicks to the leg. Henderson avoided a clinch, then got in another hard leg kick to the back leg. Henderson landed a nice right. He landed a couple more punches. He got in a leg kick. Henderson connected to the body. Cerrone scored a takedown with just over a minute left. Henderson scrambled off his back and Cerrone backed off. Henderson landed another hard leg kick. He punched Cerrone in the thigh. Cerrone landed a leg kick. Henderson landed a nice body kick. Henderson got in a nice jumping knee to the body. He landed a hard ankle kick late then missed a high kick before the horn.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Henderson. Very good round for the former Champion, who was just extremely active and tossing strikes at all angles. Cerrone needs a finish, I think. Why isn’t this fight five rounds?
ROUND THREE: Cerrone pressed forward and they exchanged. He landed a hard strike, but Henderson took it. Cerrone got in a good leg kick. Cerrone pressed in with a high kick that was blocked. He landed to the leg. Henderson landed the side kick to the thigh. He punched him in the thigh right after. Henderson got up high with a kick. Cerrone might be hurt. Cerrone ducked under a strike and shot, but got shrugged off. Henderson threw a straight kick to the face but was off the mark. Henderson landed a hard knee to the body. Cerrone went high with a kick that was blocked. Henderson got in with a left hand. He landed a right. He missed a kick and Cerrone took him down, but Henderson immediately got to his feet. Henderson landed a nice body kick. Cerrone again ducked under a strike for a clinch, but got shrugged off. Cerrone landed a short combo. Cerrone got in a good kick combination to the legs. Henderson got in a jumping knee to the body, then shrugged off a clinch. Cerrone missed a head kick, then grazed him with a body kick. They traded body kicks. Cerrone missed a flying knee but landed a left at the horn. Man we needed two more rounds of this.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 Henderson. Cerrone scored on a bit, but this was still mostly Henderson. He fought a very good fight start to finish, and should win the decision, but we needed five from these two.
WINNER: Cerrone via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**+) I enjoyed the fight, but man, Cerrone didn’t win that fight. Jesus that card is bad. I don’t even know what the hell to say. These judges scorecards tonight have been all sorts of terrible.
MAIN EVENT FIGHT FOUR: CONOR MCGREGOR VS. DENNIS SIVER (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: McGregor came ahead with a series of kicks after flipping Siver off when he wouldn’t touch gloves. McGregor missed a spinning head kick. He threw a couple of side kicks. Siver landed one to the thigh. McGregor landed a kick. McGregor slipped. He missed a jumping kick, then ate a left. Siver landed a couple of straight kicks to the lead leg. He landed a short combination. Siver shot in but got stuffed. Siver got in a few strikes. McGregor landed a hard left. He landed a hard jumping knee. Siver landed a left. We’ve passed two minutes. McGregor applauded Siver getting to that point. He threw a jumping kick that was partially blocked. McGregor landed a nice kick with a left hand behind. He landed another straight left. Siver landed a hard body kick. The crowd busted out in “Ole” chants. Siver landed a left. Siver’s face was busted up from the straight lefts. McGregor landed a hard jumping knee. He landed a straight left and Siver lost his mouthpiece. The action was halted briefly to give him his mouthpiece. McGregor landed a head kick. Siver shot in, but couldn’t complete it, and McGregor shrugged at him. He landed a head kick, then an uppercut. Siver landed a right, but McGregor fired back with several on the cage. McGregor beat him up on the cage and Siver scored a brief takedown. McGregor went back to work. McGregor just picked Siver apart, even through a couple shots from Siver, but Siver made it to the horn.
Penick’s Scorecard: 10-9 McGregor. This is turning into an extended ass kicking. Sure, wasn’t finished in two minutes, but McGregor is just picking Siver apart.
ROUND TWO: McGregor landed a straight right, then the head kick. Siver fired out a couple of kicks. McGregor dropped his hands and said something to Siver before popping in with strikes. He threw a spinning back kick to the body. He jumped in with another kick high. Siver got in a body kick. McGregor landed a hard straight left. And another. Siver tried to rush and McGregor stuffed it. He dropped Siver with a left hand. McGregor passed to mount patiently, postured up, and started throwing elbows and punches. Herb Dean stepped in to stop it. McGregor jumped out of the cage and went right at Jose Aldo in the crowd! They were held apart, while Aldo smiled and McGregor tried to intimidate. Fantastic.
WINNER: McGregor via TKO at 1:54 of the second round
STAR RATING: (***) McGregor’s ability to use his distance strikes, and his instincts in delivering his counters and other attacks, is fantastic, and he’s backing up why he has this spot.
The Aldo face off was beautiful, if for nothing else than Aldo’s calm amusement at this crazy man screaming in his face. Yeah, he can have that title fight, that fight’s going to be big.
-Thanks for joining us here tonight, we’ll have plenty of reaction to the event in the coming days, as well as a look ahead to UFC on Fox 14 next weekend!
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