UFC Fight Night 89 results: Steve Bosse defeats Sean O'Connell by unanimous decision in an absolute classic back-and-forth brawl

Steve Bosse (11-2) used to get sent to the penalty box for fights like this, but now he will likely be headed straight to the bank to cash in a "Fight of the Night" bonus after an absolute classic battle with Sean O'Connell (17-8) at UFC Fight Night 89 earlier tonight (Sat. June 18, 2016).

Bosse, 34, was nearly finished in the opening round, but rallied back in a fiercely-contested battle to defeat O'Connell by unanimous decision inside TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Canada in an absolute classic.

Two judges scored the bout 29-28 for Bosse, while the third had it 29-27.

Both fighters began throwing heavy leather right off the bat, much to the delight of the Canadian fans.

O'Connell clipped Bosse with a few big punches, which sent the Canadian crashing to the canvas and it looked like his night would be a short one. But "The Boss" recovered, avoided a flurry on the ground by O'Connell and made his way back to his feet.

The two Light Heavyweights continued to swing violently and O'Connell clipped Bosse again and pressed the former professional hockey player up against the fence. Bosse circled out and he and O'Connell returned to the center of the cage. Bosse went in on a takedown in the closing seconds, but could not secure it.

The slugfest continued in the beginning of the second with both fighters landing big strikes on one another in the opening seconds. O'Connell pressed Bosse up against the fence, but didn't capitalize on his position. Bosse landed a big punch that rocked O'Connell and as the Minnesota native threw a kick, Bosse caught it and took him to the mat. Bosse began raining down big punches from the open guard of O'Connell, who did a solid job of defending and staying out of harm's way. Bosse passed to side control and moved to a riding position, looking to land more punches, but O'Connell was able to make his way back up to his feet before the round's conclusion.

In the third round, both fighters looked a step slower for obvious reasons, but that didn't stop them from continuing to play rock 'em, sock 'em robots with one another. O'Connell landed a big left hook and Bosse countered with a spinning-back fist. O'Connell was bleeding from his nose, but was undeterred in his approach, as was Bosse. They continued to land on one another, neither giving fighter conceding much ground, throwing big punch after big punch up to the very last second.

Great win for Bosse, who will assuredly be $50,000 richer after bonuses are handed out later tonight. The former hockey enforcer from Ligue Nord-Americaine de Hockey improves to 2-1 in UFC competition.

O'Connell, 32, may have lost, but after a performance like that will only gain his bosses favor and he to will likely be $50,000 richer after bonuses are handed out. He falls to 2-4 in UFC competition.

For complete UFC Fight NIght 89 "MacDonald vs. Thompson" results, including play-by-play updates, click here.