UFC Ottawa results: Stephen Thompson defeats Rory MacDonald

Stephen Thompson is y out number one contender. In a bout that didn't really live up to the hype, Thompson sounded defeated Rory MacDonald in the main event of UFC Fight Night 89 with a solid striking game. MacDonald didn't really have much for Thompson's standup, ending up with a busted up f ace. Thompson won with 50-45, 50-45, and 48-47 scores.

After a stalemate on the feet early, MacDonald rolled in Imanari-style looking for a heel hook. Twice. That was pretty crazy. Thompson threw some his typical side kicks and pone spinning kick, but not a lot  happened in the first four minutes otherwise. Finally they clinched up, and Thompson landed some short shots inside. Not much to choose from early.

MacDonald was looking to close the distance in round two, but again there wasn't really a ton going on. They clinched up briefly, but neither got an advantage. Thompson wasn't switching stances as much as he normally does. MacDonald finally got in on a single but got stuffed. He did land an elbow on the break though. Thompson was adding up strikes more than Rory, but nothing seriously damaging.

Rory waded in and landed a nice right as Thompson circled away early in the third. Thompson got it back with a right, and deftly moved away from the counter. MacDonald looked to attack a leg in the clinch again, but Thompson escaped. MacDonald landed more in the third than in either of the first two rounds. Thompson did finish strong though, and the round was very close.

Thompson busted out the kicks early in the fourth, with Rory looking to wade in with right hooks. MacDonald tried to engage more, but it just wasn't  happening much. The striking specialist picked his spots, and landed the cleaner shots. Much like the first two rounds. A left hook in particular near the end of the round was very nice.

MacDonald showed some urgency early in the fifth. He landed a big left hook against the cage, but immediately ate a counter. He scored with another left and they finally started to throw down. MacDonald's nose was bloodied by a counter, but he was landing the harder shots. Thompson grazed Rory with a spinning wheel kick, drawing more blood from his nose. Rory tried for a takedown but ended up on his back. Thompson let him up, and hurt  him with a kick.

With blood pouring down his face, just like the Robbie Lawler fight, Rory came up just a big short.