I’m not sure words can do justice to describe UFC 189. However, I am going to give it a shot. It was perfect. It was absolutely perfect. Let’s forget about the first handful of prelim fights that were duds. The rest of the card more than made up for it.
Tim Means and Matt Brown served as a delicious appetizer before a 5 star main course (card). It was like a crescendo of violence, building and building until the cheers from Irish fans nearly blew the roof of off the MGM.
Thomas Almeida delivered a certifiable knockout of the year candidate with his flying knee finish of Brad Pickett. Gunner Nelson looked unbelievable, first dropping Brandon Thatch and then using his suffocating ground game to submit Thatch. Dennis Bermudez and Jeremy Stephens put on a splendid back and forth show. Rory MacDonald and Robbie Lawler engaged in one of the most violent, courageous battles in the octagon that I have ever seen.
It wasn’t just the fights that were perfect either. The promotion leading up to the event was second to none. The new fight kits and product aspects to the broadcast were slick and fresh. The 3D light-video package in the octagon (a la playoff hockey in Montreal) was first rate. Sinead O’Connor and Aaron Lewis singing the walkout songs for the main event fighters only seemed heighten the importance.
When Conor McGregor finished Chad Mendes, the room I was watching in erupted. Most of the fans in that room were only there to watch McGregor. I suspect there were many others around the world who tuned in on Saturday for the first time because of their interest in the Irishman. On a night when there were so many new fans viewing their every move, the UFC came out smelling like roses. An Irish rose if you will.