Great time! Check out Brazilian highlights who are close to fighting for the UFC belt

J. Aldo (left) and K. Vieira (right) are Brazilian highlights and could compete for the title. Photo: Reproduction/Montage SUPER FIGHTS

Brazilian fans have reason to be excited about the current UFC scenario. With three official belts – Amanda nunes, Deiveson Figueiredo e Glover Teixeira -, the Tupiniquin representatives don't want to stop there and arrive strong in most of the weight divisions in Dana White's organization.

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Therefore, Brazil can reach a strong fight for the belt in eight different categories, including both men and women.

To understand how athletes can get into disputes with a fight, the team from SUPER FIGHTS put together a list of nine possibilities for men's and women's title fights within Ultimate. Highlights are listed in alphabetical order.

1) Alexandre Pantoja

A. Pantoja in UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc_brasil

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On the back of two consecutive victories in the flyweight division (up to 56,7kg), Alexandre pantoja It shouldn't take long to get your chance at the title. Third in the category ranking, the carioca has triumphs over Manel kape e Brandon royval, but awaits definition of the future of the category.

With injury to Deiveson Figueiredo and interim belt, which will be contested between Brandon Moreno and Kai-Kara France, Pantoja may have to have one more fight before thinking about the belt.

2) Alex Poatan

A. Poatan in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The only one on the list that is not yet ranked, Alex Poatán he may be one fight away from winning the opportunity for the middleweight belt (up to 83,9kg.). Kickboxing legend, the São Paulo native has only two appearances in Ultimate, but is already scheduled to measure his strength against Sean Strickland – fourth in the ranking – in UFC 276.

Still in the same event, the champion Israel adesanya measures forces against Jared Cannonier by the linear title. The dispute could define the next confrontation, if the Brazilian wins. It's worth remembering that he and the Nigerian have a great rivalry in their kickboxing days and, on the two occasions they faced each other, Poatan had the advantage.

3) Charles of the Bronx

C. from the Bronx fighting in UFC 274. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc_brasil

Of all the names on the list, Charles of the Bronx It's the strangest case. The São Paulo native held the lightweight belt (up to 70,3kg) and was about to make his second defense, but his position was taken away after failing to make weight to face Justin gaethje No. UFC 274, when he won in the first round via rear naked choke.

Therefore, the UFC guarantees that Do Bronx will be in contention for the vacant belt in the next round. However, the opponent is still undefined, with speculation involving names of Conor McGregor, Islam makhachev e Beneil Dariush.

4) Jessica Bate-Estaca

J. Andrade is coming off a victory over A. Lemos. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Jessica Stacker This is the well-known case of athletes who always have their eyes on the title and are among the best in their category. With two consecutive victories, the former champion is third in the flies (up to 56,7kg), but is also flirting with the possibility of going down to the straws (up to 52,1kg) to regain her title.

The moment for the Paraná native is good, as she overcame Cynthia calvillo and the compatriot Amanda lemos, both in the fast lane and in the first round. In the flies, she stopped at Valentina Shevchenko, while in the straws he never measured forces against Carla esparza.

5) José Aldo

J. Aldo is carried by his trainer, A. Pederneiras, after victory at UFC Vegas 44. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc

Sports legend, José Aldo reinvented itself in roosters (up to 61,2kg.). Former featherweight champion (up to 65,7kg), the Brazilian opted to move down a category and began his career losing to Marlon moraes e Petr yan. Still, he turned things around and overcame Marlon Vera, Peter Munhoz e Rob font in their last performances.

Thirdly, the man from Manaus still hasn't had his next fight scheduled, but has already asked for a chance against aljamain sterling. The current champion even accepted the challenge. The conversations, however, have not yet progressed.

6) Ketlen Vieira

K. Vieira celebrates victory over H. Holm in the ufc vegas 55 (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

The most recent update to the list is Ketlen Scallop. Known as 'Phenomenon', Manauara hit, last Saturday (21), Holly holm in the judges' split decision and, having also won Miesha Tate – both former champions of the category -, is in second position in the bantamweight category (up to 62,1kg.).

Therefore, in a post-event press conference, the Brazilian revealed that she intends to wait for the rematch between Julianna Pena, which takes place on July 30, to meet her next rival in Dana White's organization.

7) Marina Rodriguez

M. Rodriguez defeated Y. Xiaonan in the UFC 272 (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

With four victories in a row, Marina Rodriguez is (very) close to having his chance secured. The gaúcha, who competes in the strawweight division (up to 52,1kg.), can have her rematch against Carla esparza – precisely his last tormentor in Ultimate, in 2020.

Marina, however, can see the winner of the rematch between Weili Zhang e Joanna Jedrzejczyk – who will face each other on June 11th – jump the queue for the dispute. Therefore, it would be necessary to make another presentation to guarantee your opportunity.

8) Rafael dos Anjos

R. Dos Anjos returned to the lightweight elite. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Another Brazilian who may also be present in a new dispute in the future is Rafael dos Anjos. Former lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg), the Rio native is seventh in the category and, together with Islam makhachev, is one of the only ones that has not yet faced Charles of the Bronx – who will fight for the vacant belt in the next round.

Before that, however, the veteran needs to confirm his good form and faces the promising Rafael Riziev, in a fight scheduled for July 9th this year. In fact, the duel – scheduled for five rounds – closes the card of UFC Las Vegas 59.

9) Taila Santos

T. Santos is a promising Brazilian in the UFC flyweight division. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The case of Taila Santos its special. Currently, the Santa Catarina native is in fourth place in the flies category (up to 52,1kg) and already has the opportunity to make history in the fly category. UFC 275, an event that takes place on June 11th.

She is on a streak of four victories, having only lost her debut in Ultimate, and now has the difficult task of dethroning the legacy of Valentina Shevchenko in flies (up to 56,7kg.). To do this, Taila had to overcome Joanne Wood with a first-round submission and makes his season debut.