CATHAL PENDRED’S FIVE-YEAR undefeated run came to an end tonight at UFC 189.
The Irish welterweight suffered a split-decision loss to John Howard in a disappointing bout on the preliminary card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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It leaves the Irish 0-2 so far on the UFC 189 bill, following Neil Seery’s defeat to Louis Smolka earlier tonight.
An uneventful first round between Pendred and Howard was played out entirely on the feet, with both fighters trading strikes but neither landing anything of significance.
The second round continued in a similar vein, and although he didn’t take any major damage, Pendred was second-best in the striking exchanges.
It seemed likely that Howard was two rounds up as they went into the third, so Pendred needed to improve. The SBG star went close with a guillotine but Howard survived and took the decision from the judges was a split — 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 in the American’s favour.
The defeat was Pendred’s first in the UFC and brought an end to a 12-fight unbeaten streak. It was a first win in four outings for Howard.
UFC president Dana White wasn’t impressed by the quality of the spectacle… or the judging.
The only thing worse than that fight was the score!!! Split decision????
Cathal Pendred has been given his first taste of defeat in the UFC
– Paul Dollery reports from Las Vegas
CATHAL PENDRED’S FIVE-YEAR undefeated run came to an end tonight at UFC 189.
The Irish welterweight suffered a split-decision loss to John Howard in a disappointing bout on the preliminary card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
It leaves the Irish 0-2 so far on the UFC 189 bill, following Neil Seery’s defeat to Louis Smolka earlier tonight.
An uneventful first round between Pendred and Howard was played out entirely on the feet, with both fighters trading strikes but neither landing anything of significance.
The second round continued in a similar vein, and although he didn’t take any major damage, Pendred was second-best in the striking exchanges.
It seemed likely that Howard was two rounds up as they went into the third, so Pendred needed to improve. The SBG star went close with a guillotine but Howard survived and took the decision from the judges was a split — 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 in the American’s favour.
The defeat was Pendred’s first in the UFC and brought an end to a 12-fight unbeaten streak. It was a first win in four outings for Howard.
UFC president Dana White wasn’t impressed by the quality of the spectacle… or the judging.
Neil Seery loses out at UFC 189 despite a brave performance against Louis Smolka
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