A pair of newcomers in the bantamweight division threw down at UFC 297 in Toronto, in a rare case of a rematch being both Serhiy Sidey and Ramon Taveras’ promotional debut.
The duo had first faced off on Dana White’s Contender Series last year, with Sidey earning a TKO finish and a UFC contract. With the stoppage deemed a bit quick, however, Taveras was given a second shot later in the season, won, and landed in the UFC himself — with a rematch between the two announced for Toronto that same night.
With Sidey residing in Southern Ontario, it was potentially the best possible news for the Canadian, if he could replicate the results of that first fight.
Sidey was the one pressing forward early on. Nothing significant was landing from either. Sidey went for a takedown but it was shrugged off. Taveras a few times landed a nice leg kick. Sidey was having more success with his hands landing first and setting the pace. Sidey was doing a good job of mixing up his attack and using feints. Taveras was patient and as he did land a nice hook to the body he wasn’t throwing enough. Sidey was doing a great job at kicking the body, especially with the teeps. Taveras finally sat down on a punch landed a big left hook and Sidey took it. Mixing it up even more Sidey started to do damage with the leg kicks. In the final seconds of the round Taveras buckles Sidey with a big right hook.
In round two Taveras opened up with a combination to the body. That forced Sidey to chase takedowns but Taveras defended well. As it seems like Taveras was getting momentum Sidey buckled him a but with a right hand. Sidey got the momentum and was letting it go. Not for long as Taveras sat him down with a one-two. Sidey came firing back throwing punches and bunches and a series of kicks. Sidey was aggressive but his nose was busted up bad leaking blood. He didn’t let it detour him as he was overwhelming Taveras with output. Sidey was going great at throwing kicks behind punches and mixing it up. It was all Sidey at the end of the round snapping the head back of Taveras a few times.
In the final round, it was still anyones fight but Sidey had the momentum. Throughout the fight Sidey blasted the body with kicks and then go up top. Taveras was still dangerous landing a nice one-two. Sidey was wearing the damage but was still fighting si well. He was cutting the cage off, throwing combinations, drawing out feints, and his shot placement was spectacular. Taveras stayed true to his boxing roots throwing the jabs and straight punches. Sidey was technical as well but did a better job of using all of his limbs while throwing more output. An entertaining fight between two skilled strikers.
Official Result: Ramon Taveras def. Serhiy Sidey by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
