Raphael Assunção wins with convincing performance and ends four-fight losing streak at UFC Las Vegas 62

R. Assunção (right) defeated V. Henry (left) in the UFC Las Vegas 62. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Prominence of the bantamweight (up to 61,2kg.) for years, Raphael Assunção ended a dramatic phase in his career in UFC Las Vegas 62, held this Saturday (15). Opponent of Victor Henry, the Brazilian had a convincing performance and ended a streak of four straight defeats. After three rounds, the Pernambuco native was declared the winner with a unanimous decision by the judges.

With the result, Assunção puts an end to the worst phase of his career in the sport. The 40-year-old fighter has not had a positive result since July 2018, when he crashed Rob font.

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Outperformed in the spectacle, Henry lost his first commitment with the Ultimate gloves. The athlete was coming off a triumph over Raoni barcelos, in a confrontation that marked his debut in the organization.

The fight

The confrontation began with Henry taking the initiative with a kick to the Brazilian's torso. Raphael saved his strikes and tried to find the distance to attack. One minute into the match, Assunção blocked an opponent's shot and responded with a cross. Halfway through the round, the Tupiniquim risked a takedown and attacked his opponent with two crosses afterwards. Near the final minute, the Brazilian began to press the North American against the bars, but the opponent managed to move away. Close to the end of the round, Victor launched two high kicks, blocked by the Tupiniquim, who responded with a cross. The round ended with the fighters exchanging attacks in the center of the Octagon.

In the second round, Henry closed the distance and threw a round kick at the Brazilian's body, who responded in kind. With almost two minutes having passed, Victor attacked with another round kick, but ended up losing his balance and Raphael fell on top. The Brazilian tried to get to the back, but the North American managed to get up. With two minutes left to end the round, Assunção blocked an opponent's shot and threw two clean straight shots at his opponent's face. Henry lost his balance and Raphael attacked again from above. In the final seconds, the Tupiniquim struck from top to bottom, but there was no more time.

The last round began with Assunção taking the initiative with two jabs. Henry walked forward and tried to corner the Brazilian near the bars. Even though he was moving backwards, Raphael attacked with an overhand, but the American was impressive with his resistance. With just over a minute gone, the Tupiniquim managed a takedown and put pressure on his rival again. Victor managed to stay on his feet, but was hit with another right hand from his opponent. Halfway through the round, Henry suffered a hard knee to the face, but continued walking towards the Tupiniquim. In the final seconds, Assunção shortened his stance and looked for a takedown on his opponent. Henry defended himself and tried to prevent the Tupiniquim's action. The American freed himself, but received a left cross, but there was no more time.

José Aldo's former rival is knocked out in his bantamweight debut

J. Martinez (left) defeated C. Swanson (right) in UFC Las Vegas 62. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Rival of José Aldo in WEC times, Cub swanson He was unsuccessful in his first test at bantamweight. MMA veteran, the 38-year-old athlete was a victim of the promising Jonathan martinez. After pressure in the first round, the athlete succumbed to his rival and was knocked out after sequences of low kicks.

With the result, Martinez extends his good moment. Now, the athlete has four consecutive victories and continues his climb towards the top of the category led by aljamain sterling.

A professional in MMA for 18 years, Swanson failed in his attempt to reinvent himself in the company. The athlete also fails to achieve his second consecutive victory.

After the victory, Jonathan showed personality. The fighter asked for a confrontation against the former bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz.

Dusko Todorovic turns fight and runs over Jordan Wright

J. Wright (left) receives attack from D. Todorovic (right) in the UFC Las Vegas 62. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The 'fight of the desperate', included on the main card, had dramatic tones and a striking turn of events. In a clash contested at middleweight (up to 83,9kg.), Dusko Todorovic showed a high capacity to reverse tense situations and beat Jordan wright categorically. After being largely dominated in the first round, the athlete recovered in the second stage and defeated his opponent with a tough technical knockout.

With the result, Todorovic 'breathes' a sigh of relief in the organization. The athlete entered the octagon under pressure from a recent record of three stumbles in the last four appearances.

Joy on one side, concern on the other. After the event was over, Wright found himself in trouble in the company. With the setback, the fighter now has four stumbles in six challenges in the UFC.

Alonzo Menifield massacres and complicates Misha Cirkunov

A. Menifield (right) defeated M. Cirkunov in the UFC Las Vegas 62. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Inserted in the confrontation that opened the preliminary card, Alonzo Menifield You can say you didn't even sweat. Opponent of Misha Cirkunov In a clash between light heavyweights (up to 93kg), the American asserted his reputation as a knockout artist and staged a true massacre against his rival. The triumph came after a combination of punches, which obliterated the opponent just over a minute into the fight.

With the result, Menifield confirmed the good moment in his career. The athlete now has two positive results in a row.

Run over by the show, Cirkunov gets into trouble once and for all in the organization. The stumble marked the Russian's fourth consecutive setback.

UFC Las Vegas 62 Stats

UFC Las Vegas 62 results

MAIN CARD 

Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Alexa grasso derrotou Viviane Araujo in the unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)

Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Jonathan martinez derrotou Cub swanson by technical knockout at 4m19s of R2

Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Dusko Todorovic derrotou Jordan wright by technical knockout at 3:12 of R2

Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Raphael Assunção derrotou Victor Henry in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Alonzo Menifield derrotou Misha Cirkunov by knockout at 1m28s of R1

PRELIMINARY CARD 

Bantamweight (up to 61,2kg): Mana Martinez defeated Brandon davis in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Jacob Malkoun defeated Nick Maximov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Joanderson Tubarão derrotou lucas alexander via submission (rear naked choke) at 2m02s of R1

Straw weight (up to 52,1kg): Piera Rodriguez derrotou Sam Hughes in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Tatsuro Taira derrotou CJ Vergara via submission (armbar) at 4m19s of R2

Welterweight (up to 77kg): Pete Rodriguez defeated Mike Jackson by knockout at 1:33 of R1