TORONTO – Ramon Taveras beat Serhiy Sidey with a split decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 297 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Take a look inside the fight with Taveras, who moved to 1-1 against Serhiy Sidey with a controversial early stoppage loss on DWCS and Saturday’s split call victory.
Serhiy Sidey vs. Ramon Taveras
Result: Ramon Taveras def. Serhiy Sidey via split decision (29-28, 28–29, 29-28)
Updated records: Taveras (10-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Sidey (10-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stats: Taveras lost the overall striking battle, but landed at a higher percentage and stuffed all four of Sidey’s takedown attempts.
Taveras on the fight's key moment
“I feel like trash, but it was a hard-earned ‘W’ and I wouldn’t want to earn it any other way. It was unreal. I was like, ‘I can’t believe I’m in one of these fights.’ But I knew Serhiy was tough. I knew he was going to be a challenging fighter. He came to bring it tonight and I got the best of it. I knew if the doctor did go to him, I knew he’s going to tough it out. I know I broke his nose – I mean, his nose was turned to the side of his face. But I knew he was going to tough it out, and I kept just aiming for it. I kept trying to put him out. He was standing.”
Taveras on a potential trilogy
“I know Serhiy’s here to stay. I respect his game. I respect that he’s smart and I know he trains hard. I know he’ll stay here just like I will stay here for a long time, and we’ll see each other again for the third time.”
Taveras on what he wants next
“I would like to fight one more time before September and hopefully get on that (proposed UFC event in Las Vegas at) The sphere.”
To hear more from Taveras, check out the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.
