A. Nunes (left) beat C. Cyborg by knockout in December 2018. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook ufc
The long-awaited confrontation between Alex Poatán e Bruno Blindado, which opens the main card of the UFC Las Vegas 50, this Saturday (12), will divide the hearts of some Brazilians. With two promising middleweights (up to 83,9 kg.) measuring strength in the octagon and part of the fans eager for the dispute, the team from SUPER FIGHTS decided to remember some fights between Tupiniquins that moved the world of MMA. Stars like Anderson Silva, Amanda nunes e José Aldo are highlighted.
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This weekend, Poatan and Blindado will face their biggest commitments as professionals in MMA. Even at the beginning of their journey in Ultimate, the confrontation is of great importance, as it can take the winner to the top 15 and accelerate the process for a future title fight.
In the past, Brazilians have shared the octagon and excited fans around the world. Among the challenges, there were belt disputes at stake, a 'fight' for a chance to play for the title, a clash between TUF coaches and a clash of knockout artists.
Anderson Silva x Vitor Belfort (2011)
The year was 2011 and Ultimate was marked by the meeting of two of the greatest middleweights of all time. Called the 'Fight of the Century', the fight moved the city of Las Vegas, which, that night, had two Brazilians as main stars competing for the world title in the under-83,9kg division, at UFC 126.
After great promotion and provocations, the show went to the then champion Anderson Silva. MMA legend, 'Spider' made history by brutalizing his former training partner with a kick that went down in the history of the sport.
Anderson Silva x Demian Maia (2010)
Just under a year before running over Belfort, Anderson Silva would go through one of the most controversial fights ever seen in Ultimate. Specialist in striking and used to surprising opponents with fatal counterattacks, 'Spider' had ahead of him Demian Maia, famous for its excellent jiu-jitsu.
Willing to defend his throne, Silva fought strategically enough to win. The confrontation, held in Abu Dhabi, was marked by a lack of combativeness and booing from the public present at the show. After 25 minutes, Anderson won the judges' decision.
Irritated by the champion's 'lackadaisical' performance, Dana White refused to comply with protocol and didn't even buckle the strap on Anderson. Afterwards, as 'punishment', the legend was chosen to face Chael Sonnen.
Anderson Silva x Thales Leites (2009)
Considered by many to be the best middleweight in history, Anderson Silva paid, in fact, the price for its above-normal quality. Accustomed to collecting victims in the octagon, a meeting with compatriots became inevitable at a certain point.
In 2009, 'Spider' was looking for his fifth title defense and faced Thales leites. The challenger was enjoying a great moment in the organization, coming off five consecutive victories, three of which were by submission. Against Silva, however, the Niteroi native was unable to repeat his good performances, and ended up being beaten by Anderson in the judges' unanimous decision.
Lyoto Machida x Maurício Shogun (2009-2010)
Between 2009 and 2010, Brazilians Lyoto Machida e Mauritius Shogun they competed to know who would be the 'king' of the light heavyweights (up to 93kg) in Ultimate. Division champion after massacre Rashad evans, the karateka had as his first challenger precisely the Pride legend and 'creation' of Chute Boxe.
In the first meeting, in a tight match, Machida managed to convince the majority of the judges and defended his throne after five rounds of competition. Maurício, in turn, was entitled to an immediate rematch, held in 2010. In the clash, the Chute Boxe 'create' and Pride legend shocked the world by surprising the talented 'Dragon' and buckled the belt with a tough knockout. in the first round.
Cris Cyborg x Amanda Nunes (2018)
Considered one of the most feared women in the history of MMA, she still builds a successful trajectory in the sport to this day. Aggressive and relentless, the Curitiba native collected victims from all the organizations she worked for, but the legend's fate ended up taking an adverse turn in 2018.
Owner of the featherweight throne (up to 65,7kg.) since her third participation in the UFC, Cyborg would encounter her first – and only – defeat in the company in a harsh way, when she was chosen to face Amanda nunes. A favorite in the bookmakers, Cris did not count on the 'Leoa's' sharp striking and, in a clash awaited by the Brazilians, she succumbed to the Bahian with a hard knockout in the first round, losing the group title.
A rematch was always requested by the Curitiba native. Having problems with the Ultimate management, the veteran, however, ended up leaving the company without having the opportunity to reunite with her former rival in the Octagon. To this day, Nunes reigns supreme at featherweight in the company.
Marlon Moraes x José Aldo
Highlight, for years, of the bantamweight in world MMA, Marlon moraes He has always been an icon in the category, since his debut in Ultimate. With a WSOF title under his belt, the fighter was the athlete chosen to 'welcome' the legendary José Aldo, who was looking for a fresh start in his career in the under-61,2kg division.
Considered by many to be the best featherweight (up to 65,7kg) in history, the 'People's Champion' decided to leave his old division and prove, in the lower group, that he is still capable of performing at a high level. The manauara, therefore, was chosen to face Marlon in the UFC 245, and the athletes delivered a true battle in the Octagon. After five rounds, Moraes was declared the winner in a split decision, but, with unshaken morale, the 'King of Rio' ended up receiving a title shot afterwards.
Rodrigo Minotauro x Fabrício Werdum II (2013)
Coaches from The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Brazil 2, Rodrigo Minotauro e Fabricio Werdum headlined the UFC event held in Fortaleza (CE). Highlights of the company's heavyweights (up to 120,2kg) and references in jiu-jitsu, the 'giants' sought to show the students who would be superior in the confrontation.
Former interim champion of the under-120,2kg division, Minotauro ended up not being able to repeat the victory he achieved over his compatriot in 2006, when he was still wearing Pride gloves. The Brazilian legend ended up overcome, and in an almost tragic way. After being surprised by an armbar, Rodrigo suffered an injury, but did not break his limb. Two commitments after overcoming Minotauro, Fabrício would win the group's interim belt (2014) and, subsequently, unify the throne against Cain Velazquez (2015)
Wanderlei Silva x Vitor Belfort (1998)
Even before the UFC became the promotional phenomenon it is today, the organization managed to promote a meeting between 'giants' in the sport, and on Brazilian soil. In the first Ultimate event held in Tupiniquim territory, Wanderlei Silva e Vitor belfort were two of the main stars of the show. The confrontation, however, ended tragically for the 'Mad Dog'.
In the clash between two of the most aggressive athletes ever revealed in mixed martial arts, better for the 'Phenomenon'. Famous for his 'heavy hands', Belfort didn't allow Wand to impose his game and ran over his compatriot in historic fashion, winning with a knockout in just 44 seconds.
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