THE GOOD TIMES continue for Irish MMA after Neil Seery was victorious tonight at UFC Stockholm.
The 35-year-old flyweight was awarded a unanimous-decision win following a very impressive performance against American opponent Chris Beal, who tasted defeat for the first time in his professional career.
As you’d expect, Seery utilised his excellent boxing in the first round, taking the centre of the Octagon and keeping his opponent on the back-foot. Although Beal responded with a few good counters, one of which cut Seery above his right eye, the Irishman landed the greater volume of strikes.
However, a big takedown and some ferocious inside leg-kicks from Beal made for a close round, but Seery took it on our scorecard — with just one of the three judges disagreeing.
It was a back-and-forth contest in the second round and Seery was close to finishing it early on with an audacious guillotine attempt, from which Beal eventually — and very impressively — escaped.
Seery also had kimura and arm-triangle attempts in the second frame but to no avail. Beal did threaten with a rear-naked choke but Seery reversed well. Beal visibly appeared to tire towards the end of the round, perhaps feeling the effects of his first cut down to flyweight.
Seery took the second round on all three scorecards and the third was the same. Beal had significantly slowed down by now and looked unsteady on his feet, as Seery rocked him with some big strikes. A knockout looked like it might be imminent for the Dubliner but Beal managed to make it to the buzzer.
There was never any doubt about the winner, however, as scores of 29-28, 30-27, 30-27 were announced in favour of Seery.
It was a second consecutive win for Neil Seery, who takes his record to 15-10. He told us earlier this week that this fight could be his last, but after a performance like that we’re certain he’ll be back for more.
