M. Moraes in victory over J. Aldo. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc
Expectations were high and the 100% Brazilian duel lived up to expectations. Marlon moraes e José Aldo fought a real battle on the main card of the UFC 245, held this Saturday (14). In a tense and very balanced battle for 15 minutes, the Friborg native asserted his favoritism and emerged victorious over the Manauara side in a split decision by the judges (29-28 28-29 29-28).
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The meeting between Marlon and Aldo, in addition to a duel between Brazilian idols, marked the beginning of José's dream of competing for a title in a new Ultimate category. Against Moraes, Manauara needed to win and convince to earn the right to challenge Henry Cejudo by the rooster belt.
Even with a scare at the beginning, Aldo showed great form and proved to be a worthy opponent of the first place in the ranking. However, after three hard-fought rounds, the 'People's Champion' was declared defeated in a split decision by the judges.
The fight
In the opening seconds, Marlon scared Aldo with two high kicks that shook the Manauara. José smiled and immediately tried to recover himself in the fight. Moraes continued chasing the former featherweight champion and continued to insist on kicks to the head. The duel remained tense with the fighters moving in the center of the octagon. After three minutes, the Friborg native continued to launch his best attacks, while Aldo tried to counter his compatriot's attacks, but without success. Even at a disadvantage, José continued walking towards Marlon, who easily touched the 'People's Champion's face. With 30 seconds left until the end of the round, the athletes started to exchange franks and, in the end, Moraes managed a good takedown, but there was no more time.
Aldo returned for the second round needing to recover the losses from the initial stage. The man from Manaus risked jabs and blows to Marlon's stomach area trying to score points in the fight. José continued to shorten the distance and make the Friburgo driver act with his back to the fence. Moraes remained dangerous when he attacked, but the athlete showed less impetus in the attack. Slightly better, Aldo began to loosen up in the dispute. The 'People's Champion' punches began to come more frequently in a sequence of jabs and straight shots. More cornered, Marlon already had a cut on his left eye, a result of the manauara's attacks. In the final seconds, Moraes grew in the fight again and surprised José with a straight shot to the face, but the timer ran to zero.
In the final stage, the athletes needed to give everything to guarantee victory. José took the initiative by hitting Marlon in the face, who immediately responded. After a minute, Marlon connected three jabs in a row, touching the Manauara's face. The fight remained tense. Athletes moved around the octagon looking for the best moment to deliver the best blow. The dispute became even as time passed. The athletes showed concentration and showed danger in counterattacks. As in the initial assaults, Aldo continued to walk towards his compatriot. In the final minute, a low kick from Marlon exploded onto José's left thigh, but the man from Manaus continued to prove himself in the duel.
Faber shows courage, but ends up being knocked out by Petr Yan
P. Yan after UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/Instagrampetr_yan
Urijah faber e Petr yan promoted a real spectacle in the first fight on the main card of the UFC 245. In a tense fight, Faber showed a lot of determination to withstand the Russian's pressure, but ended up succumbing to his rival's strength in the opening minute of the last round.
Faber, who returned from retirement in 2019, had the plan to fight for the bantamweight division belt, but ended up being stopped by one of Ultimate's promises for the category.
The North American started the fight well, measuring the distance well and scoring over his rival, but the story began to change at the end of the first round, when the Russian began to loosen up in the fight. Urijah tried to distract his opponent with provocations, but Yan was concentrated and was superior to the American until he found the withering front kick that led to the MMA legend's knockout.
With the triumph, Petr reached the 13th victory in his career and the athlete is waiting for an opportunity to face Henry Cejudo for the rooster title (up to 61,2kg.).
UFC 245 results
MAIN CARD
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Kamaru Usman derrotou Colby covington by technical knockout at 4m10s of R5 – title fight
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Alexander Volkanovsky derrotou Max Holloway in the unanimous decision of the judges (48-47 48-47 50-45) – title fight
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Amanda nunes derrotou Germain de Randamie in the unanimous decision of the judges (49-44, 49-45, 49-46) – title fight
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Marlon moraes derrotou José Aldo in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Petr yan derrotou Urijah faber by knockout at 0m43s of R3
PRELIMINARY CARD
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Geoff neal derrotou Mike Perry by knockout at 1m30s of R1
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Irene aldana derrotou Ketlen Scallop by knockout at 4m51s of R1
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Omari Akhmedov derrotou Ian Heinisch in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight: Matt Brown defeated Ben Saunders by knockout at 4:55 of R2
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Chase Hooper defeated Daniel Teymur by knockout at 4:34 of R1
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Brandon Moreno defeated Kai-Kara France via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Jessica Eye derrotou Viviane Araujo in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Punahele Soriano defeated Oskar Piechota by knockout at 3m17s of R1
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