There was a ton of hype around UFC 189, both as a coronation for Conor McGregor as the company’s newest superstar and because this was one of the deepest cards of the year.
The event delivered on both fronts as one of the best events in recent memory, …
There was a ton of hype around UFC 189, both as a coronation for ConorMcGregor as the company’s newest superstar and because this was one of the deepest cards of the year.
The event delivered on both fronts as one of the best events in recent memory, culminating in McGregor‘s thrilling second-round TKO of Chad Mendes to win the interim featherweight championship.
Even better for UFC from a business perspective, things line up perfectly for an epic showdown between McGregor and Jose Aldo later this year. There will be plenty of time to analyze that when it happens. For now, let’s see how McGregorwas able to get his biggest win.
McGregor vs. Mendes Stats
There were two things to keep an eye on that would determine whether McGregor or Chad Mendes won the main event. McGregor‘s ability to throw a barrage of punches, combined with his big power, meant that wrestling-technician Mendes had to keep things on the canvas.
As it turns out, both fighters’ strengths showed up during this fight. Mendes hit McGregor with a knee and got him down early in the first round. It was the perfect setup for Money and the worst-case scenario for The Notorious One.
After that, though, everything that needed to go right for McGregor went right. The stats show that Mendes was more precise in his attack, but McGregor did what he always does by throwing a lot of punches.
Ben Fowlkes of MMAjunkie.com noted after the fight what made McGregor so difficult on this particular night:
Were the strikes that followed (after getting up from the takedown) especially powerful? Not really, said Mendes. What they were, was “accurate.” Like laser-guided missiles, it was one direct hit after another. Mendes, sucking air through his mouth, scanning the area for clear routes of retreat, found nothing but trouble everywhere he turned. Eventually the only path left was straight down.
McGregor can drive an opponent nuts because he doesn’t stop. There’s an endless stream of energy and punches that come from the 26-year-old as he tries to knock an opponent down. He was only in control of the fight for one minute and 40 seconds.
B/R’s Jonathan Snowden noted on Twitter that in terms of scoring things were not going McGregor‘s way:
Mendes was winning the early battle, but McGregor provided the big strikes that ultimately won the war.
This win also put an end to any talk that UFC had been building up McGregor by putting him in “easy” fights just to give him a title opportunity, which the new interim champion addressed after his victory, per ESPN.com’s Brett Okamoto.
“I have been hearing all the time that I’ve been protected to this point and gifted a title shot,” McGregor said. “So, when my title shot went running and I was given a shot at what I was supposedly being protected from, I was going to prove that I’m a true fighter.”
Now that McGregor is atop the mountain, he’s got to be better than ever to stay there. He’s not out of the woods yet because Aldo is waiting in the wings whenever the featherweight champion is able to return.
UFC was the real winner on Saturday night. The scene in Las Vegas all weekend, starting with the weigh-in and continuing to the end of the main event, was special. McGregor has been an All-Star talker leading up to the show and backed it up in dominating fashion.
Rising Brazilian star Thomas Almeida showcased just how good he can be by knocking Brad Pickett out cold at UFC 189 on Saturday night.
The 23-year-old did so just 29 seconds into Round 2 by securing one of the best flying knees you’ll ever see in the O…
Rising Brazilian star Thomas Almeida showcased just how good he can be by knocking Brad Pickett out cold at UFC 189 on Saturday night.
The 23-year-old did so just 29 seconds into Round 2 by securing one of the best flying knees you’ll ever see in the Octagon.
The knockout marks the third UFC victory in a row for Almeida (20-0 overall) and his 15th career finish by way of knockout.
While Pickett isn’t the be-all and end-all of the bantamweight division, he did serve as a good test for the young Brazilian as he aimed to make his name known on the UFC’s biggest card yet.
Almeida did just that, and he will look to work his way toward a shot at the title in 2016.
Here are three fights for him to take, following his Performance of the Night victory at UFC 189:
Johnny Eduardo
This may not be the sexiest matchup for Almeida, but Eduardo is ranked No. 9 in the division, and he knocked out Eddie Wineland back in May 2014 at UFC Fight Night 40.
He has recently recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder and should be ready to fight by the end of 2015.
This fight would essentially pit one of the oldest fighters in the division against one of the youngest, but their mutual ability to deliver fight-ending blows would certainly deliver fireworks.
A future event in Brazil would serve as a perfect setting for this contest.
Aljamain Sterling
It may not be in the best interest of the UFC to schedule a fight between two of their most promising young talents, but Sterling vs. Almeida would be a sensational matchup at 135 pounds.
It would also launch the winner into immediate title contention entering 2016.
On paper, Sterling’s relentless wrestling and pressure could limit Almeida‘s effectiveness on the feet, but we haven’t seen anything from the Brazilian to suggest he couldn’t handle it.
Their combined record entering this fight would be an incredible 31-0.
Michael McDonald
As a personal favorite in the bantamweight division, McDonald is due to return from a lengthy layoff by the end of the year.
His sensational striking and punching power would complement that of Almeida to a tee, as he looks to reestablish his worth among the likes of champion TJ Dillashaw, RenanBarao, Dominick Cruz and Raphael Assuncao.
While Mayday has earned his keep among these elite fighters at 135 pounds, his near-20 month absence leaves him in desperate need of a victory.
Almeida is the perfect opponent to test the resolve of McDonald, and a win would consequently allow the Brazilian to leapfrog almost an entire division.
Despite falling into Conor McGregor’s trap on the feet, featherweight contender Chad Mendes showcased that the Irish phenom does in fact have some holes in his game.
From securing multiple takedowns to successfully getting inside on the bigger-framed M…
Despite falling into ConorMcGregor‘s trap on the feet, featherweight contender Chad Mendes showcased that the Irish phenom does in fact have some holes in his game.
From securing multiple takedowns to successfully getting inside on the bigger-framed McGregor, Mendes was able to implement a blueprint capable of one day knocking off Notorious.
Unfortunately for the Team Alpha Male standout, Saturday was not his time to shine, as he lost by way of a second-round TKO.
But as one of the hardest working featherweights in the world, one who easily possesses the best wrestling and some of the best power punching in the division, Money will be cashing in on unsuspecting foes as soon as he’s given a full training camp.
Here are three fights for Mendes to take next following an exciting defeat to McGregor at UFC 189:
Winner of Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira
Both Holloway and Oliveira are on impressive win streaks in the featherweight division.
They’re two of the very best finishers around today and reputable opponents for Mendes, who has now dropped two of his last three outings.
Holloway and Do Bronx are scheduled to do battle at UFC Fight Night 74 next month, suggesting an end-of-the-year showdown with Mendes could be in the making.
As for the fight itself, Blessed would probably serve as the better matchup for Mendes, considering his takedown defense is average at best and doesn’t incorporate the high-level submission game that Oliveira‘s does.
Jeremy Stephens
Well, despite missing weight leading into UFC 189, Lil’ Heathen absolutely clobbered Dennis Bermudez with a flying knee to ensure a third-round TKO victory.
It was one of Stephens’ best performances of his eight-year UFC career and a testament to his newly instated mentality leading up to his fights.
The victory was his first since January of last year, but Stephens is officially 4-2 in the featherweight division and a guy who can finish anybody at anytime.
His takedown defense would have to be at an all-time high opposite Mendes, but it’s a matchup that might make the most sense out of anyone else on this list.
Frankie Edgar
If Jose Aldo is able to get healthy and unify his featherweight strap with interim champion McGregor, then deserving veteran Edgar will have to wait even longer for his shot at UFC gold.
While that’s something that the former lightweight kingpin doesn’t want to happen, it would leave the door open for a near-even matchup opposite Mendes.
And considering Edgar recently dismantled Urijah Faber back at UFC Fight Night 66, you better believe that Mendes and Team Alpha Male have some unfinished business with the New Jersey native.
Edgar’s elite footwork and polished striker would have to give him the edge on paper, but a fight with Mendes would serve as a sensational and meaningful featherweight fight.
Many were questioning whether Conor McGregor would be able to handle a wrestling machine like Chad Mendes. Those questions were answered last night.
While the two-time NCAA Division I All-American was able to take McGregor down with relative ease,…
Many were questioning whether ConorMcGregor would be able to handle a wrestling machine like Chad Mendes. Those questions were answered last night.
While the two-time NCAA Division I All-American was able to take McGregor down with relative ease, he was not able to seal the fight up with enough significant ground-and-pound. The Irish striker made the most out of every opportunity he had standing, wearing Mendes down with body kicks in the first round before finishing him with punches in the second.
Though McGregor entered the cage as a favorite with bettors, Mendes losing was a shock to many pundits. With that in mind, it’s worth rewinding the tape and pinpointing what, exactly, went wrong for Mendes.
When all is said and done, the loss came down to one major error on Mendes‘ part: his bad habit of standing in place while striking.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan said Mendes being frozen in place by McGregor was uncharacteristic of him, and possibly a sign the longtime elite featherweight wasn’t in proper fighting shape for this short-notice bout. That, for the most part, isn’t true. Mendes has a long-standing habit of planting himself in place before an attack, and McGregor made the most of that fact.
Didn’t notice it before? Look back to Mendes‘ second fight with Jose Aldo and watch the middle rounds, particularly the third. After Aldo established that he’s nearly impossible to take down, Mendes‘ offense became almost flowchart-like attack where he would plant, look for an opening to throw a haymaker and would either throw one and miss, get hit or step to his right, plant and repeat the process.
Aldo exploited this by standing in the middle of the ring, pumping the jab and tagging Mendes as he bobbed up and down in place. McGregor, on the other hand, pressured him to the cage, waited for him to plant and would then snipe him with either a big left hand or a kick to the body.
Those kicks to the body paid dividends and visibly shaved minutes off of Mendes‘ gas tank. Ten shots in the first round (via FightMetric) made Mendes feel like he had fought four rounds. By the end of the second, Mendes was in punching-bag mode, and he could barely muster up the energy to explode into one of his big punches.
Was this fight Mendes at his best? No, probably not.
The way Mendes lost this fight was not due to a lack of preparation. It was due to established technical errors on which McGregor was able to capitalize. While a hypothetical rematch could go either way, this was a clean win for the new interim featherweight champ.
UFC 189 was a whirlwind of magnificent violence. And when the dust all settled and Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes engaged in an excellent main event, the organization was left with a card that will be etched into the minds of MMA fans for years to come…
UFC 189 was a whirlwind of magnificent violence. And when the dust all settled and ConorMcGregor and Chad Mendes engaged in an excellent main event, the organization was left with a card that will be etched into the minds of MMA fans for years to come.
MMA Fighting summed up all the action rather nicely:
By the end of the night, there was a lot of blood, a championship defended and a new interim champion in the featherweight division. Here’s a look at the complete results and a closer look at the effect of the biggest fights of the night.
Main Card (Pay-Per-View, 10 p.m. ET)
ConorMcGregor defeats Chad Mendes via TKO (punches), Round 2, wins interim UFC featherweight title
Robbie Lawler defeats Rory MacDonald via TKO (punches), Round 5, defends UFC welterweight title
Jeremy Stephens defeats Dennis Bermudez via knockout (flying knee), Round 3
Gunnar Nelson defeats Brandon Thatch via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1
Thomas Almeida defeats Brad Pickett via knockout (flying knee), Round 2
Prelims (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m. ET)
Matt Brown defeats Tim Means via guillotine choke, Round 1
Alex Garcia defeats Mike Swick by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
John Howard defeats CathalPendred by split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Cody Garbrandt defeats Henry Briones by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Early Prelims (UFC Fight Pass, 7 p.m. ET)
Louis Smolka defeats Neil Seery by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Cody Pfister defeats YosdenisCedeno by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jeremy Stephens Gets on the Highlight Reel
Things didn’t look good for Jeremy Stephens on Friday night. The bantamweight missed the 145-pound mark by 3.5 pounds. Usually, not making weight is a sign of some kind of issue. Whether it be injury or a bad camp, it was enough of an omen to make those such as Adam Martin of MMA Oddsbreaker be concerned heading into the bout:
Those concerns looked legitimate when Bermudez came out and took the first round. The Menace scored a takedown and opened up a 43 to 8 advantage in the striking department according to FightMetric.
But Stephens wasn’t to be denied. He continued to hang around and got the better end of the striking in the second round to set up an epic third round. It didn’t take long in the third round for Stephens to show how he has 26 knockouts in his career. He uncorked a hellacious flying knee that stopped a charging Bermudez in his tracks and followed up with strikes that ended the fight.
All told, it was a huge win for Stephens. The Lil’ Heathen was coming off two losses in a row and desperately needed something to swing momentum in his favor. A win over Bermudez—who was ranked No. 8 in the division at the time of the fight—puts him right back on track.
It doesn’t appear as though these two are done with one another yet, though. After the fight, Bermudez went to social media to say that UFC President Dana White offered him a rematch. The hashtag would lead fans to believe it will take place at UFC 192 in Houston, Texas.
Given how exciting this matchup was, that’s a bit of matchmaking fans shouldn’t mind.
Robbie Lawler Defends Title Only Way He Knows How—With Brutality
There’s a violent fight. And there’s the display that Rory MacDonald and Robbie Lawler put on in the co-main event. The two welterweights took it to a new level.
MacDonald suffered a broken nose and foot, per Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting. Lawler came away with a severe cut on his lip. Both fighters went to pal around at the hospital after the Ruthless One had his hand raised in victory:
The first round was an extended feeling out period for both fighters, but after that it turned into an all-out war. Both fighters stood within striking distance and did their best to end the fight. In the fifth and final round Lawler seemed intent on putting an end to the bout.
It turned out to be a good decision. Despite the close nature of the four previous rounds, MacDonald was headed for a decision victory, per MMA Fighting:
In the end, this was a fight that really had no losers. Both fighters put on a great show. For MacDonald, the loss is disappointing. This is the second time in his career that Lawler has killed his momentum in the cage. But after watching that bout, there’s no doubt that he’s on-par with the elite of the division.
For Lawler, this legitimizes him as a champion. Plenty of exciting options lie ahead (Carlos Condit, anyone?), but he’s a threat to make anyone’s night miserable with his power and willingness to stand and trade.
The welterweight division is an exciting one in the UFC right now.
ConorMcGregor Backs Up the Talk
Love him or hate him, he’s not going anywhere. ConorMcGregor proved all the doubters wrong with a second-round TKO win over Chad Mendes in a thrilling conclusion of UFC 189.
Make no mistake, there are still questions for McGregor. Mendes appeared to be in control of the fight for most of the second round. The Alpha Male wrestler was able to secure four takedowns in the two rounds. The wrestling question hasn’t been completely answered.
What we do know is that if opponents take McGregor down they’d better keep him there. It doesn’t take him long to turn a fight around on the feet.
The Notorious One tired Mendes with body shots in the first round, but he set his sights on the chin with his opportunities in the second. It didn’t take long for him to end the bout once he did. A beautiful straight left hand buckled Mendes and signaled the end.
The Irish featherweight then took to the mic to let everyone know he’s ready for whatever challenge the division presents him with.
“I’ve been hearing all the while that I’ve been protected from this kind of opponent, that I’ve been gifted a title shot,” McGregor said, per CBS News. “So when my title shot went running and they gave me the challenge I was supposed to be protected from, I (decided) that I’m just going to prove to people that I’m a true fighter. It doesn’t matter who it is, I’ll show up and I’ll put a finish on any fighter.”
Of course, the title shot that “went running” he’s referring to is Jose Aldo. The Brazilian was supposed to be McGregor‘s opponent Saturday, but an unfortunate rib injury forced him off the card.
It’s a fight that will be even more in-demand now. With McGregor silencing any doubts as to whether he’s worthy of his title shot, the only thing left to do is find out who the real champion is. It’s a fight that already has McGregor‘s manager thinking of historically big buyrates, per Brett Okamoto of ESPN:
Whenever a unification fight happens, one thing is for sure: People will tune in. With the win, McGregor officially announced himself as one of the biggest stars in the UFC. Jeremy Botter of Bleacher Report makes a compelling case that he’s the biggest star in the organization.
This was a huge step in the right direction for McGregor to fulfill that role. He battled through adversity and came out with a belt on the other side. One final obstacle remains, but he’s already proven that he can make the featherweight division must-see TV.
Words cannot express the effort and grit displayed by both Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald Saturday night at UFC 189.
In what can be considered one of the very best fights of all time, let alone a welterweight title defense, Ruthless outlasted and out…
Words cannot express the effort and grit displayed by both Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald Saturday night at UFC 189.
In what can be considered one of the very best fights of all time, let alone a welterweight title defense, Ruthless outlasted and outpointed the Canadian challenger by way of a fifth-round TKO.
The fact that MacDonald lasted so long after breaking his nose early in the fight even further exemplifies how barbaric and tumultuous this rematch truly was.
While many people around the sport wouldn’t be surprised if a trilogy fight was immediately booked, it’s unlikely that The Red King will cement another shot at gold just yet.
Instead, he’ll be forced to nurse his wounds and most likely win at least two fights in a row to regain his divisional footing.
Here are three names that make sense for the young 25-year-old as he comes off his best performance of his career, despite a losing effort.
Carlos Condit
The Natural Born Killer may have just returned to the cage after a lengthy absence from a torn ACL, defeating ThiagoAlves via second-round TKO at UFC Fight Night 67 in his comeback, but he could be matched up against anyone in the division right now.
That includes not only MacDonald, but the champion himself.
However, considering the magnitude of a Lawler vs. Hendricks trilogy fight, Condit will more than likely have to beat one more guy en route to a title shot.
MacDonald should be willing to take this fight with open arms since he was defeated by Condit back at UFC 155, and he stylistically matches up well with yet another premier striker.
GSP 2.0 would have to be more successful in the takedown department or Condit could leave him broken and bloody like Lawler did.
Matt Brown
Similar to Condit, Brown is a name in the division that makes sense against almost any other welterweight.
While it’s harder to rationalize him leapfrogging the likes of Hendricks and Condit for a title shot, he has displayed the elite level marksmanship and resilience to test any guy in the weight class.
And considering MacDonald has already fought Condit, Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia, Brown seems like a good choice to test his rebound abilities against another gritty brawler.
Of course, a long-awaited tilt between Condit and Brown could end up pushing MacDonald to the side.
Gunnar Nelson
While the Icelandic Nelson doesn’t possess the notoriety that some other names in the division do, his skill set is truly complimentary of the Top 5.
His grappling is world-class, his striking is evolving alongside training partner ConorMcGregor and he’s only 26 years of age.
A showdown with MacDonald would serve as an international barn burner capable of headlining a Fight Night event in Canada.
And not only would this be a good test for MacDonald in his return, but it would allow the UFC to truly gauge Nelson’s potential as he ascends the welterweight ladder.
There was a ton of hype around UFC 189, both as a coronation for Conor McGregor as the company’s newest superstar and because this was one of the deepest cards of the year.