UFC Fight Night 21 Preview: The Main Card

Ross Pearson vs. Dennis Siver

The Breakdown: Here we have the kind of fight for which the UFC Fight Night series was made, as the mere idea of Pearson and Siver dropping bombs on one another should have us all counting down the seconds to go time. Besides the massive potential for violence, Pearson and Siver are two of the most technically proficient strikers the lightweight class has to offer.

While Siver has become known for his flashy kickboxing style, Pearson has shown himself a more classical boxer. This fact does not necessarily make Pearson the better striker, but Siver’s lack of defensive savvy and overt reliance on pure aggression make him a somewhat easy opponent for whom to prepare.

Avoid the flying knees and spinning back kicks, and suddenly Siver does not seem quite as terrifying. Not only does Pearson have the defensive chops to keep his head attached, but he also has the punching power to clip Siver’s less-than-bulletproof chin. Throwing all the exotic techniques in the world becomes meaningless if there is no glue holding them together. In those gaps, Pearson is at his best.

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The Bottom Line: Expect Siver to swing for the fences early, only to find himself producing the equivalent of opposite field singles. The damage will rack up quickly, and a frustrated Siver will eventually wilt under Pearson’s relentless pace before ending up on the business end of a workmanlike technical knockout.