Ukrainian-Canadian Serhiy Sidey faced off with Cameron Smotherman as the second fight in on Saturday’s UFC Des Moines card at the Wells Fargo Arena.
The UFC’s debut in Des Moines had already seen another Canadian talent, Gillian Robertson, pick up arguably the biggest win of her career, finishing Marina Rodriguez. Sidey was looking to build on that, against the very dangerous Smotherman, winner of four straight.
Sidey was mobile early, and fired first, landing a leg kick with considerable force, and later a second. Smotherman was a little more reserved, a little heavier on his feet. After some back-and-forth on the feet with little in the way of significant strikes, Sidey changed levels, charging into a takedown attempt that he couldn’t quite finish. After five minutes, a close round was arguably won by Sidey, who had connected just a little cleaner.
Serhiy Sidey opened the second round with a quick takedown, though Smotherman quickly moved to one knee, before returning to his feet. More exchanges on the feet underscored Sidey being the faster, more accurate fighter. He was also winning the grappling battles, landing another takedown (ever so briefly, and possibly not officially) at the end of the frame.
Once again in the third, Sidey was able to get the fight to the ground, this time briefly having a chance at a choke, though he couldn’t finish it. Well up in the fight, Sidey was on his way to a decision win, with Smotherman badly in need of a finish, or at least a change in momentum to find a finish. On the feet, Sidey hadn’t lost a step, and was circling on the outside. Smotherman started loading up on his shots, and would take more big swings at the end of the round. Serhiy Sidey, however, just wasn’t there to be hit, and began celebrating as soon as the horn sounded.
Official Result: Serhiy Sidey def. Cameron Smotherman by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
