UFC Fight Night 59 takes place tomorrow night in Boston and we’ve got our predictions for all the fights for you below.
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Main Card:
Conor McGregor vs. Dennis Siver
The hype surrounding McGregor has reached ridiculous levels and Siver is being unfairly dismissed as an opponent, but the Irishman should still have the upperhand here overall with his speed, movement and power advantage.
I don’t anticipate the quick finish McGregor had in mind, but I still think his fluid striking will find holes in Siver’s armour and lead to a second round finish.
Conor McGregor to win by TKO in Rd2.
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Donald Cerrone vs. Ben Henderson
Cerrone is much the same fighter as he was back in the WEC days when these two fought twice, but Henderson has become a more cautious fighter who’s less prone to taking risks – which hasn’t neccessarily always proved to be a positive change – and is coming off a KO loss for the first time in his career.
The quick turnaround is a real concern for Cerrone though and sometimes he inexplicably doesn’t perform when it matters most. Henderson is very mentally strong and I think his work rate, better wrestling and ability to be competitive wherever the fight takes place edges this one by a very close decision ruling.
Ben Henderson to win by decision.
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Uriah Hall vs. Ron Stallings
Stallings has a tough task here coming in at short notice to fight an opponent in Hall who seems to be the better fighter in most regards, and I think it shows with a finish inside of the first five minutes.
Uriah Hall to win by TKO in Rd1
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Gleison Tibau vs. Norman Parke
TUF: Smashes winner Parke has done well thus far in his UFC career, going five fights undefeated, but he faces a step up here with a true veteran in Tibau.
Parke’s cardio and workrate will be his biggest advantages here and suggest he could come on stronger in the final round when Tibau slows down, but I still fancy the powerful Brazilian to do enough in the opening two rounds when he’s a real handful to eek out a decision win.
Gleison Tibau to win by decision.
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Prelims:
Cathal Pendred vs. Sean Spencer
John Howard vs. Lorenz Larkin
Zhang Lipeng vs. Chris Wade
Patrick Holohan vs. Shane Howell
Johnny Case vs. Frankie Perez
Charles Rosa vs. Sean Soriano
Matt Van Buren vs. Sean O’Connell
Tateki Matsuda vs. Joby Sanchez
