The UFC welterweight division has a new would-be star. Stephen Thompson silenced the Canadian fans in the main fight of UFC Fight Night 89, an event held in the early hours of this Sunday (19), in Ottawa. With a solid performance and technique lessons in stand-up fighting, the North American nullified the Canadian's actions Rory McDonald He won the duel in a unanimous decision by the judges, scored his seventh victory in a series in the octagon and should be the next challenger for the belt in the under 77 kg category. of Ultimate.
In the preliminary card of the show, Brazil had a representative in action. Leandro Buscapé from São Paulo had a tough fight against Jason Saggo, but ended up being defeated in a split decision by the judges.
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The fight
The expectation was for an intense fight, with a frank exchange of blows. But Stephen Thompson e Rory McDonald They fought a dispute with less emotion, but with a lot of technique on both sides.
Taller and with a greater reach, Thompson took the center of the octagon to unleash his game on the feet. In turn, MacDonald avoided entering his rival's range of action at the beginning of the dispute and tried to surprise with an attack on the ankle. But without success.
Confident in the fight on his feet, Thompson began to unleash his arsenal of kicks and put his rival against the bars.
In the second round, the North American repeated the strategy from the first round and abused his kicks. MacDonald was already showing great difficulty in defending the attacks and was trying almost awake to take the fight to the ground, but without success.
At a disadvantage, MacDonald came back more aggressive in the third round and tried to recover. He landed a good cross on the American that he felt. Afterwards, the Canadian tried to take the fight to the ground, but ended up being frustrated by his rival's good defense.
The duel began to heat up in the fourth round. Thompson once again took control of the dispute, but a good right cross applied by Rory made the North American feel it. However, with quick absorption, Thompson returned to the dispute and worked his boxing on his rival's waistline and rebalanced the actions.
In the fifth round, the athletes put tactics aside and went for a straight fight. The Canadian fans screamed in support of Rory McDonald, but with greater scope, Stephen Thompson he managed to connect the best blows and did so until the Canadian called him to guard in the ground fight.
With good movement, Stephen Thompson took the duel until the end and took the dispute via unanimous decision by the judges (50×45, 48×47, 50×45).
The seventh consecutive victory of Stephen Thompson put the North American close to being a challenger for the category belt, moving ahead of the Brazilian Demian Maia, who had been asking for the chance.
Moments at the end of Round 5
Strong exchange between Stephen Thompson and Rory McDonald, both said the best of themselves #UFCOttawa pic.twitter.com/NrVZ4NeZix
— El Rocktagono (@elrocktagono) June 19st, 2016
Donald Cerrone runs over Patrick Cotê
Donald Cerrone has shown he can make some noise in the welterweight division. The former lightweight title challenger moved up a category and scored his second victory among the 77 kg athletes. In an almost perfect performance, the North American dominated Canadian Patrick Cotê for two rounds and achieved victory via technical knockout in the third round.
As soon as the duel started, Cerrone didn't want to take any chances with Cotê's greater physical strength and took the Canadian to the ground. Patrick tried to reverse the position, but was quickly placed back on the ground. From then on, the North American opened up an advantage.
In the second round, with more desire in the fight, Cerrone opened the game on the feet and punished his rival. He landed good kicks to the legs and punches to his rival's face. With a left cross, the North American took the Canadian to the ground, but preferred not to take any chances on the ground and asked Patrick to get up.
Disabled in the fight, Cotê came back ready to make up the difference in the last round. At the beginning of the partial he was in danger by combining punches against Cerrone. But the American's counterattack was deadly. A new left cross took his rival to the ground. The Canadian got back to his feet and went at it. However, again, a cross punch sent the opponent to the canvas for the third time. The Canadian turned sideways, and referee Yves Lavigne soon ended the fight, declaring a technical knockout.
Known for being a 'convivial' Cerrone is already thinking about accepting another fight until UFC 200, at the beginning of next month, to pay off his bills. “It could be 77kg, 84kg, I don’t care. There are like 36 fights at UFC 200, so I think I can get some of them, I don't know” he said Donald Cerrone after the fight.
UFC Fight Night 89 results
MAIN CARD
Stephen Thompson derrotou Rory McDonald in the unanimous decision of the judges (50×45, 50×45, 48×47)
Donald Cerrone defeated Patrick Coté by technical knockout at 2:35 of R3;
Steve Bossé defeated Sean O'Connell via unanimous decision (29×28, 29×28, 29×27)
Olivier Aubin-Mercier submitted Thibault Gouti with a rear naked choke 2m38s into R3;
Joanne calderwood defeated Valérie Létourneau by technical knockout 2:51 of R2;
PRELIMINARY CARD
Jason Saggo defeated Leandro Buscapé in the judges' split decision (29×28, 28×29, 29×28)
Misha Cirkunov finished Ion cutelaba with a katagatame at 1m22s from R3;
Krzysztof Jotko defeated Tamdan McCrory by knockout 59 seconds ago. from R1;
Joe Soto submitted Chris Beal with a rear naked choke at 3m39s of R3;
Elias Theodorou defeated Sam alvey in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Randa markos defeated Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28);
Colby covington submitted Jonathan Meunier with a rear naked choke at 54 seconds. from R3;
Ali Bagautinov defeated Geane Herrera via unanimous decision;
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