More than just a fighter, Irish superstar Conor McGregor has morphed into a global megastar since his UFC debut barely three years ago. Brash, confident and supremely talented, “The Notorious” has bulldozed his way to a shot at Jose Aldo’s Featherweight belt, with only German kickboxing veteran Dennis Siver standing in his way.
Almost unfairly overlooked despite his long and successful career inside the Octagon, Siver did what many of McGregor’s previous opponents were unable to do; maintain composure. Not once during the build up, weigh ins, or even the final confrontation before their main event clash did he look flustered with the constant barrage of insults and gestures of his more fancied opponent. The only time Siver even displayed any emotion of any kind...was when Herb Dean was pulling McGregor off him and stopping the fight, just shy of the two minute mark in the second round.
McGregor once again made it look easy. Peppering Siver with a nasty left jab and his usual flashy set of high kicks, the Irishman (Now 17-2, 5-0 in the UFC) completely dominated proceedings as he booked his shot for the title. Siver never got going and was unable to deal with McGregor’s ability to close the distance. Even when shooting for desperate takedowns in order to prevent further punishment, McGregor was able to shake these off with ease. This writer was secretly hoping that the Russian born German fighter would have at least posed a slight challenge. Alas he didn’t.
Get used to this Irishman. Because he’s here to stay.
“Smooth” Shocker
Lightweight standout Donald Cerrone withstood a prolonged barrage of mixed level kicks to somehow steal a highly controversial decision victory over former champion Benson Henderson. Entering the Octagon after a layoff of just 15 days, “Cowboy” was able to dish out some offence, landing several punishing kicks of his own and even securing a couple of takedowns in the second round, but it was Henderson who looked the better of the two over the course of their 3 round duel. Displaying better movement and pushing a fast pace, it was a shock to hear that Cerrone hadn’t just secured the surprise victory, but that he had scored 29-28 in the minds of all three judges. It just goes to prove once again: Never leave it in the hands of the judges. Cerrone is now on an organisation best 7 fight win streak, while Henderson (Now 21-5) is wrongfully on the first two fight skid of his career.
Hall Stalls Stallings
Since his terrifying run on The Ultimate Fighter New York based Uriah Hall has struggled to match the hype that followed him from the show. Despite that however, he picked up his third straight victory, and reinstalled a degree of fear back into prospective opponents after a two punch combination put a hole in the face of debutant Ron Stallings. A massive underdog, and making his first Octagon appearance on a weeks notice, Stallings began brightly, hitting Hall repeatedly with a mix of stinging leg kicks. “Primetime” however possesses sharp hands as well and a vicious combination had official Herb Dean quickly calling for the cageside doctor who deemed Stallings unable to continue. A disappointing end to what was becoming an exciting striking match. The victory will also do Hall (Now 10-4, 3-2 in the UFC) no favours; no-one wanted to face him before, and this outcome will only make it harder for him to secure another willing opponent.
Gatekeeper Gleison Outworks Parke
The unlikely longest tenured UFC competitor currenty on the roster, Gleison Tibau has been fighting inside the Octagon since 2006. His longevity has made him the ultimate test for any Lightweight hoping for a crack at the division’s elite, and Northern Irish fighter, and TUF winner Norman Parke was the next to try his luck. Unfortunately for “Stormin’” Tibau has recently made some subtle improvements to his standing game and conditioning, and this was demonstrated over the course of the fight as the Brazilian was easily able withstand his opponent in almost every aspect on route to securing a split decision nod. A dull and instantly forgettable encounter, Parkes will have to improve tenfold if he wants to make a run for the division's elite. Tibau however will never really move past his age old role of gatekeeper...and it’s something he seems to be content with.
Full UFC Fight Night 59 Results - Main Card
Featherweight
Conor McGregor def Dennis Siver via TKO (Punches) in Round 2
Lightweight
Donald Cerrone def Benson Henderson via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Middleweight
Uriah Hall def Ron Stallings via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in Round 1
Lightweight
Gleison Tibau def Norman Parkes via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Prelims
Welterweight
Cathal Pendred def Sean Spencer via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight
Lorenz Larkin def John Howard via TKO (Punches) in Round 1
Lightweight
Chris Wade def Zhang Lipeng via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Flyweight
Patrick Holohan def Shane Howell via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Lightweight
Johnny Case def Frankie Perez via TKO (Punches) in Round 3
Featherweight
Charles Rosa def Sean Soriano via Submission (D'Arce choke) in Round 3
Light Heavyweight
Sean O'Connell def Matt Van Buren via TKO (Punches) in Round 3
Flyweight
Joby Sanchez def Tateki Matsuda via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Event Awards:
Fight of the Night: Donald Cerrone vs. Benson Henderson
Knockout of the Night: Conor McGregor
Submission of the Night: Charles Rosa
Hall Stalls Stallings
Since his terrifying run on The Ultimate Fighter New York based Uriah Hall has struggled to match the hype that followed him from the show. Despite that however, he picked up his third straight victory, and reinstalled a degree of fear back into prospective opponents after a two punch combination put a hole in the face of debutant Ron Stallings. A massive underdog, and making his first Octagon appearance on a weeks notice, Stallings began brightly, hitting Hall repeatedly with a mix of stinging leg kicks. “Primetime” however possesses sharp hands as well and a vicious combination had official Herb Dean quickly calling for the cageside doctor who deemed Stallings unable to continue. A disappointing end to what was becoming an exciting striking match. The victory will also do Hall (Now 10-4, 3-2 in the UFC) no favours; no-one wanted to face him before, and this outcome will only make it harder for him to secure another willing opponent.
Gatekeeper Gleison Outworks Parke
The unlikely longest tenured UFC competitor currenty on the roster, Gleison Tibau has been fighting inside the Octagon since 2006. His longevity has made him the ultimate test for any Lightweight hoping for a crack at the division’s elite, and Northern Irish fighter, and TUF winner Norman Parke was the next to try his luck. Unfortunately for “Stormin’” Tibau has recently made some subtle improvements to his standing game and conditioning, and this was demonstrated over the course of the fight as the Brazilian was easily able withstand his opponent in almost every aspect on route to securing a split decision nod. A dull and instantly forgettable encounter, Parkes will have to improve tenfold if he wants to make a run for the division's elite. Tibau however will never really move past his age old role of gatekeeper...and it’s something he seems to be content with.
Full UFC Fight Night 59 Results - Main Card
Featherweight
Conor McGregor def Dennis Siver via TKO (Punches) in Round 2
Lightweight
Donald Cerrone def Benson Henderson via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Middleweight
Uriah Hall def Ron Stallings via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in Round 1
Lightweight
Gleison Tibau def Norman Parkes via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Prelims
Welterweight
Cathal Pendred def Sean Spencer via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight
Lorenz Larkin def John Howard via TKO (Punches) in Round 1
Lightweight
Chris Wade def Zhang Lipeng via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Flyweight
Patrick Holohan def Shane Howell via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Lightweight
Johnny Case def Frankie Perez via TKO (Punches) in Round 3
Featherweight
Charles Rosa def Sean Soriano via Submission (D'Arce choke) in Round 3
Light Heavyweight
Sean O'Connell def Matt Van Buren via TKO (Punches) in Round 3
Flyweight
Joby Sanchez def Tateki Matsuda via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Event Awards:
Fight of the Night: Donald Cerrone vs. Benson Henderson
Knockout of the Night: Conor McGregor
Submission of the Night: Charles Rosa
