By: Alex Mattis
Nearly three years ago, Dennis Siver was knocked out by Melvin Guillard in just 36 seconds at UFC 86. A little over a week ago at UFC 127, Dennis Siver beat top lightweight contender, George Sotiropoulos via decision and established his spot at the top of the pack. Aside from coming out to a Papa Roach song, Siver put on a damn near perfect performance; proving the age-old adage true… Never judge a book by the first couple chapters. I think that’s how it goes.
Since his debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship in early 2007, Dennis Siver has racked up a 7-4 record in octagon competition. Going 1-3 in his first four fights with the promotion didn’t give the feel of ‘future prospect’ to the native German. His back-to-back losses to Gray Maynard and the previously mentioned Guillard led to a release from the company. However, after an impressive win outside of the UFC, Siver was soon back in the Octagon.
Looking to redeem himself at UFC 93, Siver dispatched Nate Mohr late in the 3rd round of their battle (finishing the fight with his, now, feared spinning back kick). Since that fight in January of 2009, Siver has lost only once: a Fight of the Night decision loss to Ross Pearson.
In recent memory Siver has finished Dale Hartt, Paul Kelly, and Andre Winner, won a decision over Spencer Fisher, and earned himself Knockout of the Night and Submission of the Night bonuses along the way. However, all of that paled in comparison to what he did at UFC 127. While on the books it wasn’t the biggest of upsets, within the MMA community and media hardly anyone expected Siver to defeat Sotiropoulos in Australia. A renegade KO was the only method of victory Siver was thought to have.
Well, no one told him that.
Despite one judge giving G-Sot a round (most likely the 3rd), the fight was clearly Siver’s from bell-to-bell. His always devastating striking was on clear display as he put Sotiropoulos in a world of trouble for the entire 1st round. More impressive was the tremendous patience, intelligence, and vastly improved takedown defense Siver demonstrated. These are the kind of performances that put divisions on notice.
Joe Rogan always makes a point to mention that it takes time for some fighters to get comfortable in the UFC; it takes them time to find their groove. Heck, even Maurico ‘Shogun’ Rua stumbled in the beginning of his UFC career. Not everyone is Jonny “Bones” Jones; it sometimes takes awhile to get broken-in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Dennis Siver may fit that proverb more than any other fighter currently under the Zuffa banner. We have all witness this man’s evolution with MMA. From perceived novice to top-tier contender, Dennis Siver has become one of the most intriguing lightweights to watch.
