There are countless memorable nights in UFC’s storied history. Thousands of pushes, pull, sways, kicks, punches, and grapples that have lit up the octagon. Yet, there was something uniquely pulse-pounding about UFC 189 – a night where blood and thunder echoed through every punch and kick.
Prologue to an Epic
UFC and its ensemble of fighters have always been more than pugilists. They are performers who bring an entire theatre into an arena. That night of UFC 189, on July 11, 2015, in Las Vegas, it was no different. The fighter lineup was mouthwatering. The audience, a who’s who list of Hollywood, sport and music. The fights were as glittery as they were gritty.
The Main Card – McGregor vs Mendes
When it comes to UFC, what matters the most is the fight and UFC 189 main event was as good as it gets. The charismatic Irishman Conor McGregor would take on powerful wrestler Chad Mendes for the interim Featherweight title. With McGregor’s initial opponent, featherweight champion Jose Aldo pulling out due to injury, Mendes was a last-minute replacement. McGregor, audacious and spellbinding in equal measure, was here to put a bow on his meteoric rise.
“UFC 189 was a night where blood and thunder echoed through every punch and kick.”
Chad Mendes, the underdog, was an immovable object looking to upset McGregor’s quest. The fight began with Mendes, shocking the audience and McGregor, putting him on his back multiple times. Furious ground and pound from Mendes held McGregor at bay and possibly won him the first round.
The second round, however, promised us why we all love this sport. McGregor came back with a ferocious array of shots, his footwork and reach proving crucial. When McGregor landed a massive left hook, Mendes went down and the referee was forced to step in. The cheers that followed could have been heard in Dublin.
The Evening’s Other Highlights
Yet, it wasn’t just the main card that made UFC 189 special. The co-main event was equally jaw-dropping. Welterweights Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald put on a fight that was not just a fight of the night, but a contender for ‘fight of the year.’ Their slugfest raged on for five rounds, leaving both fighters bloody and battered, but it was Lawler who retained his title.
A tad forgotten due to the thrills of the main event were the fights featuring Thomas Almeida, Brandon Thatch, and Gunnar Nelson, but each performed brilliantly and delivered some unforgettable moments.
A Decisive Moment in UFC History
UFC 189 was a landmark moment in the sport. It wasn’t just about McGregor’s victory. It was about the whole package: the drama, the spectacle, the heart-stopping action, the undeniable passion from the fighters, and the rapturous response from the fans.
“McGregor’s victory at UFC 189 was a culmination of sheer grit, raw talent, and undying determination.”
Indeed, that night in Las Vegas encapsulates everything that makes UFC such a fascinating spectacle. You could argue that it was as good an advertisement for the sport as anything seen before or since. The bouts were electric, the anticipation palpable, and the finale unforgettable. In every sense of the word, UFC 189 was a knockout event.
