UFC Fight Night 89 MacDonald vs. Thompson: Fight Card

June 18, 2016
TD Palace Arena
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Main Card on FOX Sports 1:

#2 Rory MacDonald (18-3) -110 vs. #6 Stephen Thompson (12-1) -120

So we start off with a doozy of a bout between two studs in the Welterweight division. Rory has unfinished business with Champion Robbie Lawler and Stephen is the hot "new thing" at 170 vying for his spot. MacDonald is returning from a visceral war with the "Ruthless" one last year while Thompson has won 6 straight while becoming the darling of the always grounded MMA fans and media.

The "Armani Assassin" was actually up 3 rounds to one against Lawler last July when a straight punch smashed Rory's nose into his spine. A setback for sure but the "Red King" looks back on the evening as one of the greatest times of his life which should tell you a little about his psycho personality. The man is a beast. MacDonald has true technical skills in the cage as well after many years of training with legend GSP and the Tristar academy. Rory can fight brilliantly any place the fight is prepared to go, and has a confidence about him that cannot be taught.

"Wonderboy" isn't an overnight success in the UFC but you'd think so by the recent elevation of his status after defeating Johny Hendricks last February. The beautiful karate stylings were on complete display as Thompson dismantled Hendricks and did it with all highlight reel strikes. Stephen has long been a karate practitioner but slowly built his career the correct way taking proper steps up in competition. Now he is at the elite level where everything gets taken up another notch.

Were this to be a kickboxing match, you'd have to like the young upstarts chances, but this is MMA. Has the damn world forgotten how weak Thompson is on the ground? His game consists of, "oh shit, let's get up quick." Not that this is a grappling tournament either as Mac will have to get him there. No, this will be a close bout with both men having moments but you'd better know,  nobody is coming in more motivated or prepared than Rory. For every great kick Stephen and his Jesus throw, Rory and hell with have a counter. This isn't Johny who cannot seem to get his damn life in order, this is the "Armani Assassin" always quaffed and ready for the sun to explode. Rory trades a bit but finds a groove late to earn the judges nod in the homeland.

WINNER-Rory MacDonald by Decision

#2 Donald Cerrone (29-7) -170 vs. Patrick Cote (23-9) +140

The "Cowboy" is still fucking around at 170 on a lark so here comes the veteran "Canadian Predator" stepping in for Tim Means who failed his PED tests.

"Cowboy" is a rootin' tootin' gunslinger who brings the excitement however sates his addiction.

Cote has found a career resurgence in this newest run with the UFC amassing a respectable 6-2 record. What is surprising, is that Pat has done this relying on a stern grappling game when in the past he was a big punch striker. Interesting to see the old dog expanding his game late in his career. 

Well, either Cote catches "Cowboy" with a big blow early, or the speed, footwork, and agility of Cerrone are going to come into play. We don't hold out much for Patrick as this thing extends as he's not a better grappler or striker than Donny. The "Cowboy" rides again after another fun effort and then we find out what this crazy man wants to do next.

WINNER-Donald Cerrone by Decision

Steve Bosse (11-2) -155 vs. Sean O’Connell (17-7) +125

Motherfuck someone is going down hard in this one! Both of these guys blast to kill with no regard for any ground work. O'Connell could probably win this wrestling but he won't. Sean would rather bang it out even though he has become quite hittable. The men trade blow for blow and the Hockey enforcer is left, hand raised, over his victim's corpse.

WINNER-Steve Bosse by Rd.1 KO

Olivier Aubin-Mercier (7-2) -380 vs. Thibault Gouti (11-1) +290

Who's ready to be bored? Huh? You? Don't worry too much, Gouti has been brought in to right the sinking ship Mercier.

OAM or "The Smaller GSP Clone," is supposed to be the next big thing out of Tristar but he hasn't shown it yet. Ollie is a submission driven grappler who likes to take his time in hope that his opponent will simply fall asleep out of monotony. "The Quebec Kid" is quite gifted in the grappling but he looked pedestrian last out when some fool actually tested his mettle.

Gouti made his promotional debut last year and promptly tapped out in 0:24 of the initial round. The Frenchman is also a grappler fella but not as good and he'll be facing a massive Lightweight. Best o' luck lad.

WINNER-Oliver Aubin-Mercier by Rd.2 Submission

#10 Joanne Calderwood (10-1) +150 vs. #8 Valerie Letourneau (8-4) -185

MMAFO's most favorite and beloved of all female fighters, Joanne "Bad MoFo Jo Jo," "Dr. Kneevil," "The Whispering Assassin," has returned! It's love people. Real love. Please write us Jo. Anywho, we have the 1st ever women's Flyweight bout (though its a one-off and really just a catchweight fight)!

The glorious and gorgeous Joanne has been training with Tristar in Canada a brilliant move. Calderwood needed to be training with an elite squad finally made the move. "Jo Jo" has long been a kickboxer but she has needed to get some grappling acumen into her game as well. Job done.

Letourneau earned a title shot against Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk last November and did much better than many expected losing a decision. Valerie is the consummate "punches in bunches" girl bringing the volume with her strikes and trains along with the ATT killers.

There is just a sick sad feeling that Letourneau is going to take this home as the MMA Gods continue their cruel rule. But fuck em anyway. "You don't have to be loud to be heard!" Let's do this "Whispering Assassin" you "Bad MoFo!"

Upset Pick WINNER-Joanne Calderwood by Decision

Prelims on FOX Sports 2:

Jason Saggo (11-2) -170 vs. Leandro Silva (19-3-1, 1) +140

The future looks bright for the Canadian entering his prime. Saggo is a grappling ace and is learning to be comfortable on the feet as noted in his last appearance when he won via TKO in the 1st round.

"Buscape" has improved since hooking up with ATT and has won 3 in a row. Silva is much more capable with his striking and really seems to be finding his zone.

This is a tough one to pick. Both men seem to be "peaking" at the same time but we find Leandro to be more experienced, and potent with the offense.

Upset Pick WINNER-Leandro Silva by Decision

Misha Cirkunov (11-2) -210 vs. Ion Cutelaba (11-1) +170

The Latvian is an absolutely terrifying individual. We jumped on this brutes bandwagon the moment he appeared out of fear alone. Cirkunov is a crushing Jaeger from the pacific rim on a 6 fight bounce backed by boxing and devastating top game grappling.

Ion (great name) is a striker 1st and last, Cutelaba is going to throw everything at you and not worry about the risks.

Cirkunov needs to watch his gas tank closely in this one. Misha has looked winded in his quickest of winds and if he's taken into deep waters by Ion, he might find his weakness. Early takedowns and leg kicks would be a mighty fine way to begin this contest. We'll stay with Misha basically out of fear and in case we need him to battle a Kaiju.

WINNER-Misha Cirkunov by Rd.2 TKO

Tamdan McCrory (14-3) -205 vs. Krzysztof Jotko (17-1) +165

The mangy ole "Barncat" returns after proving MMAFO correct in his Upset return last December. This guy may not look the part but he's a damn scrappy fighter with potent striking and an intelligent ground game. 

Jotko is an unorthodox point fighter in that he can't seem to put anybody away with his fists. Krzysztof is pretty good in the clinch and has fared surprisingly well in his career.

Don't see it. Just don't see it. What's the deal with Jotko? Why does he win so? No idea but we feel McCrory is in the perfect position to sneak out with another Upset. Tamdan will surprise foes with his length striking and he can grapple much better than Jotko. We'll side with the "Barn Cat" yet again.

WINNER-Tamdan McCrory by Decision

Chris Beal (10-2) -120 vs. Joe Soto (15-5) -110

"The Real Deal" Chris Beal has come crashing down to Earth after a blistering start to a 2-2 Zuffa record. Beal is a good boxer but there is no power there. Good cardio though.

Former Bellator Champion Joe Soto has lost all 3 of his bouts since joining the UFC. Joe is a well rounded fighter with a penchant for finding your weaknesses mid-fight. Soto hasn't looked right since losing to TJ Dillashaw and Anthony Birchak via KO's.

Which guy is going to bounce back? So much potential but neither guy has been adjusting to adversity. Soto has much more to offer grappling wise and only pitter pat boxing to deal with.

WINNER-Joe Soto by Decision

Prelims on UFC Fight Pass:

Elias Theodorou (11-1) -280 vs. Sam Alvey (26-7, 1) +220

The man with the glorious locks got taken apart last out against Thiago Santos even though he had been pegged as the "future" at Middleweight. Huh-uh. Elias looked pedestrian and got his ass kicked in the 1st loss of his career. Too worried about his hair perhaps?

"Smile'N" Sam has had some bad luck as of late losing by TKO last August to Derek Brunson and then breaking his trademark jaw in training. Sam is slow as molasses, but he has 1 hitter quitter power in his hand(s). 

Gotta tell ya, not impressed with this Elias guy. Never saw it before the loss and don't see it now. Alvey isn't going to set the MMA world on fire either but we thinks there's a knockout coming in this one.

WINNER-Sam Alvey by Rd.1 KO

Randa Markos (5-3) -185 vs. Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger (6-2) +150

We trumpeted JJ's arrival last December as she came in with the RFA title. Lybarger is a good woman who trains diligently at the MMA Lab. JJ had a tough out against Tecia Torres in her debut but expect good things.

Markos is just too green to be competing at such a high level. It would be beneficial for Randa to gain some experience in Invicta FC.

Both women are gritty scrappers but JJ has more intelligence and in-ring IQ. We see Lybarger touching up Markos and earning at least 2 of 3 rounds.

Upset Pick WINNER-Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger by Decision

Colby Covington (8-1) -265 vs. Jonathan Meunier (7-0) +205

"CCC" lost for the 1st time in his career getting tapped by Warlley Alves last winter. ATT's "Chaos" is a grinding grappler which doesn't fit his nickname.

Meunier comes in undefeated for his Zuffa debut and covered in atrocious tattoos. 

We don't know Jon that much (at all) so we side with the grappler in a less than exciting fight.

WINNER-Colby Covington by Decision

Ali Bagautinov (13-4) -285 vs. Geane Herrera (9-1) +225

Ali returned after a year long steroid suspension to lose to Joe Benavidez in a one sided contest. Bagautinov is a powerful hitter which he'll need to make count since Herrera is going to outwork him. Ali's a former contender facing and up and comer.

WINNER-Ali Bagautinov by Decision

UFC Fight Night 89 Start Times

Main Card on FOX Sports 1: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7 :30 p.m. PT

Preliminary Bouts on FOX Sports 2: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Preliminary Bouts on UFC Fight Pass: 6:45 p.m. / 3:45 p.m. PT