UFC: Conor McGregor should see off Dennis Siver in Boston

A look at the latest MMA action

Conor McGregor (GETTY IMAGES)

Following on from Jon Jones’ successful title defence in Las Vegas the octagon makes the trip to America’s east coast as an equally divisive figure prepares to again take centre stage.

Jonny “Bones” Jones has endured a rollercoaster few months. Following what will have been for him a highly satisfying conclusion to the long running feud with Daniel Cormier, Jones has now stands toe to toe in the fight of his life as he checks into a treatment facility. When coupled with the seemingly endless conjecture about his genuineness as a person, he must be one exhausted individual right about now. I’ve never met Jones in person so I feel ill qualified to comment on his much debated and scrutinised public persona. What I am concerned about is his in cage prowess and essentially no-one comes close in terms of the opponents he has consistently crushed in a six year UFC career. Jones really should just be himself and once he gets back in the cage simply let his fighting do the talking.

The sports pound for pound king could of course take a leaf out of Conor McGregor’s playbook. The brash Dubliner has grabbed all of the headlines in the run up to this weekend’s Boston barnburner with Dennis Siver by telling it as he sees it, straight and simple. The SBG star has conducted himself this way from day one. “Notorious” may have a twinkle in his eye when he rattles the proverbial cages of Messrs Aldo, Mendes & Co but he does so with a searing inner belief which is obliterating all before it. This devil may care approach has delivered handsomely for McGregor and will keep him in tailored suits for the foreseeable future.

Whether fans and peers love or loathe John Kavanagh’s star pupil is immaterial. He really is unmissable from a sporting standpoint. All eyes will be on the TD Garden this weekend as the ominously quiet Siver lies in wait. A few years ago I spent some time watching Siver prepare for a bout at UFC 105 against Paul Kelly. He was devastatingly effective in the striking realm, as evidenced by his domination of the game Liverpudlian. You can take a peak at Siver’s patented spinning back kick right here

Siver is no slouch on the feet and has augmented his striking arsenal with solid ground skills as evidenced by his slick sub of Andre Winner at UFC122 in Germany. McGregor however is the young gun in town. He is faster, more imaginative and decisive when he smells blood. He should see off the veteran within the distance.

Cowboy climbs straight back in the saddle

A two week turn around is ill advised and virtually unheard of in the sport of MMA. Donald Cerrone will however get right back on the horse with a little over a fortnight’s “rest” in Boston. Cerrone is a fighter’s fighter. He knew he was well on the way to a solid if not scintillating win against Myles Jury last time out but didn’t ride the clock out. Instead the former WEC star kicked Jury emphatically and viciously in the final seconds of a bout which was roundly booed by those in attendance. Therein lies a large part of the reason why we will witness Cerrone lock horns with long time nemesis Ben Henderson in the co-main event this weekend. Cerrone thrives on the emotion of the fans and those boo’s left a bitter taste. He knows that he is on a win-win ticket against “Smooth”. Win and he is within touching distance of a lightweight title shot, lose and it was to be expected. Guts, technique and a fight brain, Cowboy has it all.

Diligent student Parke to pass toughest test

Kicking off the main card is “TUF Smashes” winner Norman Parke. “Stormin” Norman continues to make steady and tangible strides in a shark tank lightweight division. A diligent student of the game who spends a lot of his down time watching footage of a myriad of fighters Parke will continue to impress in 2015.

Upcoming opponent Gleison Tibau is of course a tank of a man. Tibau is a fearsome competitor somehow squeezed into a 155lb frame but the Bushmills man may have his number come Sunday night. Parke is perhaps the divisions most under rated fighter and the Brazilian will learn to his cost why he remains undefeated over his two year UFC tenure. This one will be a grinding affair but my money is on a finish for Parke as he exhausts the hulking Tibau late in the third stanza.