UFC Las Vegas 66, held on December 17, 2022, will be remembered as a nostalgic event for MMA fans. Even though it wasn't a particularly stellar event, the spectacle represented the last broadcast of Canal Combate with rights to the Ultimate brand. After more than 10 years, what remains is a legacy of paramount importance to mixed martial arts, crowning stars and fulfilling dreams.
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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 broadcast on free-to-air TV, Junior Cigano was 'the man of the moment'. With commentary by the renowned Galvão Bueno, the heavyweight (up to 120,2kg) delivered a spectacular performance by knocking out then-champion Cain Velasquez and taking the category's 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 experienced one of the biggest surprises and disappointments, combined, in a single fight. José Aldo and Conor McGregor faced off at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas (USA), delivering one of the most memorable moments in the sport's history.
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.
In just two years, the Irishman became the current challenger for the UFC featherweight title. After a promotion marked by excessive provocations, Conor lived up to his promise and knocked out Jose Aldo in just 13 seconds, making history in the world's largest MMA organization.
Meeting of 'giants'
Considered two of the best fighters of all time in MMA, Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg took Brazil to the top of the sport and starred in an epic event for the UFC. Facing each other in a fight in 2018, the stars battled for the featherweight title (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 an ego war, 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 and take the belt from Cyborg. At UFC 232, the Brazilian shocked the world by imposing a brutal victory over her compatriot, who succumbed in the first minute and saw the crown taken 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 excitement conveyed in the early hours of the morning, fueling victories like those of Anderson Silva in the early 2010s.
Anderson Silva: the King of middleweights
In 2012, Anderson Silva would have a historic rematch with Chael Sonnen . After an epic victory, complete with an apotheotic comeback in 2010, the Brazilian once again faced his greatest rival in the UFC.
While their first encounter was a close fight, ' Spider ' proved his superiority over the ' American Gangster '. With a stellar performance, Silva was brilliant once again, knocking out the American in a humiliating fashion in the second round and retaining his middleweight title (up to 83,9 kg).
Rocky Balboa screenplay
In 2022, a movie script became reality before the eyes of millions of viewers around the world. In the octagon, Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards faced off in a fight for the welterweight title (up to 77kg).
Cold, calculating, precise, and talented, Usman made the challenge against a rival he had already beaten in 2015 look easy. For most of the fight, the Nigerian followed his established plan and approached the impressive mark of 16 consecutive victories in the organization, a record only surpassed 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 didn't give up and went after a new belt, this time in the light heavyweight category, where the American Jon Jones reigned supreme . In less than a year, the 'Phenomenon' was just a few steps away from becoming a UFC champion again.
In a fight held in Rio de Janeiro, Belfort was scheduled to face the dangerous Anthony Johnson , who was coming off two consecutive victories. The Brazilian, however, showed no mercy and used the strategy of taking him down. A black belt under Master Carlson Gracie, he used everything he had learned and forced Johnson to tap out 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 division (up to 70,3 kg) had a vacant title after Charles Oliveira failed to make weight the day before UFC 274. From that moment on, the scheduled fight against Justin Gaethje would only benefit the American, who was the only one eligible to receive the belt if he won.
Despite having every reason to be frustrated and perhaps demotivated for the fight, Charles showed that his resilience was on point. Facing one of the most dangerous strikers on the roster, the black belt started the fight by welcoming the ' bad boy ', rocking him with a beautiful cross. The Brazilian then suffered a few scares, even falling twice. In times of glory, however, nothing could end his winning streak, and as soon as he took Justin Gaethje 's back after stunning his rival with a straight punch, everyone already knew how the story would end: 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 the MMA category, events from ONE Championship, KSW, and Jungle Fight will be shown . The team promises to reveal more news in the coming days.
UFC in 2023
In September, Rede Bandeirantes confirmed it had acquired the broadcasting rights for UFC events. In addition to broadcast cards on free-to-air TV, fans of the organization will be able to watch the shows via ' Fight Pass ', a streaming service launching in Brazil that promises to keep fans up-to-date on everything happening in the world's largest mixed martial arts organization.
The first televised event of the upcoming season will be UFC 283 , taking place in Rio de Janeiro, and featuring two title fights involving Brazilians. In the light heavyweight division (up to 93kg), Glover Teixeira faces Jamahal Hill for the vacant title, while Deiveson Figueiredo will fight Brandon Moreno for a tetralogy title to unify the flyweight (up to 56,7kg) throne.
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