CATHAL PENDRED WON his second straight UFC fight after beating Gasan Umalatov in a split decision in Stockholm at UFC Fight Night 53 tonight.
Much like Pendred’s win over Mike King at the 3 Arena in July, this was closely fought too, with the Dubliner winning 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28 on the scorecards.
Umalatov dropped Pendred with a hook in the second round, but just as in his UFC debut, he would not stay down. Pendred was the busier fighter and his ability to continue to throw punches while his opponent succumbed to tiredness ultimately gave him the win in a close final round.
“It wasn’t the fight I really wanted to be honest,” Pendred said after the bout.
“I felt like he was more of a counter guy and that I had to push the pace the whole time. I just tried to push as much as I could without going into his game. I think I did the best I could.”
