C. Do Bronx finishes off J. Gaethje in the UFC 274. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
O UFC Las Vegas 66, held on December 17, 2022, will remain a point of nostalgia for MMA fans. Even though it was a lackluster event, the show represented the last broadcast by Canal Combate with rights to the Ultimate brand. After more than 10 years, what remains is a legacy of utmost importance for mixed martial arts, consecrating stars and making dreams come true.
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In recent years, Canal Combate has had UFC broadcasting rights as its driving force. There, we follow moments of glory, disappointments and surprises.
Historic moments broadcast by Combate
MMA with Galvão Bueno
The kickoff was given in November 2011, with the first broadcast of Ultimate, live, on Rede Globo television. At that moment, not so regular fans were able to follow more closely the sport that was gaining strength little by little.
In the main fight shown on open TV, junior gypsy he was 'the guy of the moment'. With narration by the renowned Galvão Bueno, the heavyweight (up to 120,2kg) had a gala performance when he knocked out the then champion Cain Velazquez and wear the category belt.
Cigano's victory is a milestone for Brazilian MMA, due to the greatness of the feat and the repercussions among Brazilian fans.
A legend falls, a king is born
Seven years ago, Brazilian MMA fans would have one of the biggest surprises and disappointments, combined, in just one fight. José Aldo e Conor McGregor faced each other in theMGM Grand Garden Arena', in Las Vegas (USA) and provided one of the most memorable moments in the history of the sport.
For ten years, the 'King of Rio' built his 'invincible' aura, mixing knockouts and decisions. There seemed to be no one who could end his reign. However, not so discreetly, an Irishman began to make noise in the organization and attract the attention of the press and fans.
The Irishman, in just two years, became the current challenger for the UFC featherweight belt. After a promotion marked by excessive provocations, Conor lived up to his promise and knocked out Jose aldo in just 13 seconds, marking an era in the largest MMA organization in the world.
Meeting of 'giants'
Considered two of the best fighters of all time in MMA, Amanda nunes e Chris Cyborg took Brazil to the top of the sport and staged an epic event for the UFC. Face to face, in a clash held in 2018, the stars would face each other for the featherweight belt (up to 65,7kg).
The dispute was a desire on the part of sports fans and the meeting could confirm the end of curiosity about who would be the greatest representative of the sport. Famous for their knockout power, lack of action was not an option for the fighters.
In a war of ego, the athletes began to provoke each other and, finally, the bantamweight champion (up to 61,2kg.), Amanda nunes, agreed to move up to featherweight to try to take the belt from Cyborg. At UFC 232, the Bahian woman ended up shocking the world by imposing a brutal victory over her compatriot, who succumbed in the first minute and saw the crown taken over by another queen.
Epic outcomes
With great fights, obviously what could not be missing from our recap would be epic outcomes. So, remember moments when Canal Combate provided episodes of affection and excitement.
MMA fans have become accustomed to the emotions conveyed in the early hours that saw victories like those of Anderson Silva in the early 2010's.
Anderson Silva: the King of middleweights
In 2012, Anderson Silva would wage historic revenge with Chael Sonnen. After an epic victory, complete with an apotheosis in 2010, the Brazilian once again faced off against his biggest opponent in the UFC.
If in the first encounter the battle was even, 'Spider' managed to prove its superiority over 'American gangster'. With a stellar performance, Silva was once again brilliant and knocked out the American in a 'humiliating' way in the second round, retaining the middleweight title (up to 83,9kg).
Rocky Balboa screenplay
In 2022, a film script became reality before the eyes of millions of viewers around the world. In the octagon, Kamaru Usman e Leon edwards they measured forces in a valid dispute for the welterweight belt (up to 77kg.).
Cold, calculating, precise and talented, Usman made the challenge against a rival he had already beaten in 2015 look easy. During most of the fight, the Nigerian followed the established plan and approached the significant mark of 16 consecutive victories in the organization, condition only met by Anderson Silva.
In the last round, however, Edwards made MMA history. In the opening seconds, the challenger connected with a high kick of rare mastery and took the then unbeatable Kamaru to an immediate knockout. The welterweight title, then, had a new owner.
Vitor Belfort finishes 'giant'
After the 'fight of the century' against Anderson Silva, Vitor belfort He didn't give up and went after a new belt, this time in the light heavyweight category, where the North American reigned. Jon Jones. In less than a year, the 'Phenomenon' was already just a few steps away from becoming a UFC champion again.
In a duel held in Rio de Janeiro, Belfort was selected to face the dangerous Anthony Johnson, who had two consecutive victories. The Brazilian, however, took no notice and used the strategy of putting him down. Black belt under Master Carlson Gracie, he used everything he learned and forced Johnson to give three taps after being caught in a beautiful rear naked choke.
With the emblematic victory, Vitor would qualify for the light heavyweight title fight in his next challenge.
Another Charles do Bronx show
The lightweight category (up to 70,3kg.) had its title vacant, after Charles of the Bronx, having problems with the scale and not having reached the weight the day before the UFC 274. From that moment on, the duel scheduled against Justin gaethje, would only benefit the North American, who was the only one eligible to receive the belt, in case of victory.
With every reason to be frustrated and perhaps unmotivated to fight, Charles showed that his resilience was up to scratch. Facing one of the most dangerous strikers on the squad, the black belt started the fight by welcoming 'bad boy', shaking him with a beautiful cross. Afterwards, the São Paulo native suffered some scares, falling twice. In times of glory, however, nothing could end his winning streak, and as soon as he got on the back of Justin gaethje After shaking his rival with a direct shot, everyone already knew the end of the story: victory for the Brazilian, by rear naked choke.
Canal Combate maintains schedule, even without UFC
Despite the end of the contract with Ultimate, 'Combate' will continue to stir the spirits of martial arts fans. Even without the UFC, the Channel will broadcast events such as Karate Combat, WGP Kickboxing, boxing, jiu-jitsu and judo clashes.
In MMA, events from ONE Championship, KSW and Jungle Fight. The team promises to present more news in the coming days.
UFC in 2023
In September, Rede Bandeirantes confirmed that it had acquired the broadcasting rights for UFC events. In addition to cards on open TV, the organization's fans will be able to follow the shows via 'Fight Pass', service of streaming which arrives in Brazil and promises to keep fans up to date with everything that happens in the largest mixed martial arts organization in the world.
The first televised event of next season will be the UFC 283, which takes place in Rio de Janeiro, and features two title fights involving Brazilians. In light heavyweights (up to 93kg.), Glover Teixeira faces Jamahal hill by the vacant title, while Deiveson Figueiredo fights tetralogy against Brandon Moreno in unification of the flyweight throne (up to 56,7kg.).
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