G. Tibau (photo) won his third consecutive victory. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
With just one representative on the UFC Fight Night 59 card, held between the end of Sunday night (18) and the early hours of Monday (19), Brazil made 100% of the event in Boston (USA) . In the fight that opened the night's main card, veteran Gleison Tibau, the third athlete with the most fights in the organization and record holder for victories in the lightweight category, defeated Northern Irishman Norman Parke in a tight fight and was declared the winner by decision divided among the jurors.
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In the first round, there was little effective action and the fighters opted to fight on their feet. In the second stage, the duel remained balanced, but this time Tibau's advantage was clearer, as the Brazilian managed two providential takedowns and also thwarted the Northern Irishman's attacks.
In the third and decisive round, what was seen was a scenario very similar to the first round, with both athletes focusing more on striking, but without effectiveness, and without being successful in their takedown attempts. In the end, two judges saw the Brazilian's triumph in two of the three rounds and declared him the winner of the fight by split decision.
Now, Tibau has reached the impressive number of 40 wins and just ten defeats in his career. The 31-year-old native of Rio Grande do Norte has 24 fights as an Ultimate athlete and, tied with the legendary Randy Couture, is already third in the ranking of fighters with the most appearances in the Octagon. Above the Brazilian in the list, only Matt hugs, with 25 fights, and the leader Tito Ortiz, with 27 fights already held in the largest MMA organization on the planet.
McGregor's friend is delayed, but recovers and wins
Friend and training colleague Conor McGregor, Irishman Cathal Pendred has specialized in taking a big disadvantage at the beginning of his UFC fights and recovering throughout the fights. It was like that against Mike King and again against Sean Spencer, in the fight that closed the night's preliminary card.
After getting the worst of the standup and suffering a knockdown very tough in the first round, Pendred managed to recover in the fight and prevail in the judges' decision. However, the result generated controversy, as for two of the three judges Cathal won all rounds of the duel.
Preliminary card has a historic record of knockouts and submissions
Without the presence of Brazilians, but with many exciting fights, the UFC Fight Night 59 preliminary card registered a historic record. For the first time in Ultimate, an event had three consecutive fights ended by knockout or submission in the third and final round.
Those responsible for the unprecedented feat were: Sean O'Connell, who impressively knocked out Matt Van Buren, with his opponent still standing; Charles Rosa, which ended Sean Soriano with a D'Arce Choke; and Johnny Case, who knocked out Frankie Perez with just over three minutes left in the fight.
Check out the UFC FN 59 results below:
MAIN CARD
Featherweight (up to 66 kg): Conor McGregor x Dennis Siver;
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Donald Cerrone x Ben henderson;
Average weight (up to 84 kg): Uriah Hall x Ron Stallings;
Gleison Tibau beat Norman Parke by split decision from the judges (29 x 28, 28 x 29 and 29 x 28).
PRELIMINARY CARD
Cathal Pendred beat Sean Spencer by unanimous decision (30 x 27, 30 x 27 and 29 x 28);
Lorenz Larkin beat John Howard via TKO in R1;
Chris Wade beat Zhang Lipeng by unanimous decision of the judges (30 x 26, 30 x 26 and 30 x 26);
Patrick Holohan defeated Shane Howell by unanimous decision (30 x 27, 30 x 27 and 30 x 27);
Johnny Case defeated Frankie Perez via TKO in R3;
Charles Rosa finished Sean Soriano with a D'arce Choke on the R3;
Sean O'Connell defeated Matt Van Buren via TKO in R3;
Joby Sanchez defeated Tateki Matsuda by split decision (29 x 28, 28 x 29 and 30 x 27).
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