UFC Fight Night 89 was a pretty darn good night of fights and there was a lot to digest entering, and there’s even more to take in exiting. So let’s jump right in. Here are all the important things that happened last night:
Rory MacDonald Lost to Stephen Thompson
Stephen Thompson is basically a ninja, and ninjas always win, even against Rory MacDonald. It was an important fight for both men because Thompson was on the cusp of a shot at Robbie Lawler’s belt and MacDonald’s UFC contract officially expired when the final bell rang. Thompson won an unanimous decision on his counterpunching. Notes:
- This was a good fight, but not in an “action packed” way. It was a battle of inches, determined by range and elusiveness. Intense for longtime MMA fans. Probably a bore for people that started watching because of Conor McGregor or Ronda Rousey.
- Rory’s nose got smashed. Again. Even a year later, his face is destroyed after his UFC 189 fight with Robbie Lawler.
- Thompson’s almost certainly getting the winner of Lawler vs. Tyron Woodley at UFC 201.
Donald Cerrone Beasted Patrick Cote
No, really, he beasted him. There was a lot of discussion about what Donald Cerrone had to bring to the table at 170 pounds…and it turns out a lot. He busted up Patrick Cote with kicks and finished him in the third. Notes:
- Cote is darn good and a big welterweight, but Cerrone looked just as big and absolutely wrecked him standing.
- Cerrone’s power translates to 170, too. We saw how much of a difference there was for Conor after going from 145 to 170, but it turns out that Cerrone can knock out hard-chinned welterweights the same way he did lightweights.
- Cerrone’s probably not a title contender, though! He’s still dependent on fighters staying at his preferred range and even though his power translates to 170, his chin probably doesn’t.
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