IT ENDED, MOST importantly, with a belt around Conor McGregor’s waist.
But Ireland’s night at UFC 189 got off to a disappointing start with defeats for Dubliners Neil Seery and Cathal Pendred.
Seery was the first of three Irishmen to enter the Octagon in the MGM Grand Garden and despite a game effort, lost out on a unanimous decision against Louis Smolka.
Pendred fell to his first defeat in the UFC when he lost in a split decision against John Howard.
It was Pendred’s first loss since December 2010, ending a 12-fight winning streak and taking his UFC record to 4-1.
There was better news for his SBG team-mate Gunnar Nelson who exploded to life against Brandon Thatch and finished off his highly-regarded opponent inside the first round with a rear naked choke.
The first finish of the night went to welterweight fan favourite Matt Brown. He locked in a guillotine choke late in the first round against Tim Means and scored a quick submission.
Thomas Almeida put his hand up for the Knockout of the Night bonus with this sensational flying knee which finished off Brad Pickett:
UFC 189 Results
Main Card:
- Conor McGregor def Chad Mendes by TKO – punches (R2 4:57)
- Robbie Lawler def Rory MacDonald by TKO – punches (R5 1:00)
- Jeremy Stephens def Dennis Bermudez by TKO – punches (R3 0:32)
- Gunnar Nelson def Brandon Thatch by submission – rear naked choke (R1 2:54)
- Thomas Almeida def Brad Pickett by KO – knee (R2 0:29)
Prelims:
- Matt Brown def Tim Means by submission – guillotine (R1 4:44)
- Alex Garcia def Mike Swick by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- John Howard def Cathal Pendred by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
- Cody Garbrandt def Henry Briones by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Fight Pass Prelims:
- Louis Smolka def Neil Seery by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Cody Pfister def Yosdenis Cedeno by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
