Open your eyes, Kamaru Usman: remember dethroned champions who regained their belts in an immediate rematch in the UFC

A. Nunes with the bantamweight and featherweight belts (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

This Saturday (18), in London (ING), Kamaru Usman will have his biggest test of fire in his career in Ultimate, to date. Dethroned in the welterweight division (up to 77,1kg.) in an emblematic way in 2022, the Nigerian returns to face his tormentor, Leon edwards, UFC 286. If he overcomes his rival, the former champion will join the select list of athletes who regained the throne in immediate rematches.

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To get into the spirit of the show, the team at the SUPER FIGHTS recalled fighters who achieved the 'feat'. To Usman's joy or concern, the list is not extensive.

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Randy Couture x Vitor Belfort (2004)

Vitor belfort (left) was defeated by Randy Couture (right) in a rematch in 2004. Photo: Reproduction/UFC Fight Pass

Considered one of those largely responsible for the evolution of the UFC, Randy Couture charted a path of glory in MMA. The athlete, however, went through ups and downs within the company.

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In 2003, the American made history by winning the light heavyweight title (up to 93kg) against Chuck Liddell, adding his second title since his debut with the company. The following year, in his second title defense, however, the athlete ended up being surpassed by Vitor belfort, after suffering an eye injury. Without the title, Couture had the chance to regain his throne against the Brazilian and, this time, he left no doubts, retaking the title after a technical knockout (via medical interruption) in the third round.

Deiveson Figueiredo x Brandon Moreno (2022)

D. Figueiredo (right) and B. Moreno (left) have a historic rivalry in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc

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Icon in the recent history of flyweight (up to 56,7kg.), Deiveson Figueiredo had Brandon Moreno as his biggest career rival to date. Against the Mexican, the man from Pará had four confrontations, even losing his title in disputes against his opponent.

In 2021, the athletes fought a rematch after a draw at the end of the previous season. In the first meeting, as champion, Figueiredo continued with the title, but, in an immediate rematch, he ended up submitted by his opponent. In the third fight, in 2022, the Brazilian turned things around and, in the unanimous decision of the judges, resumed the throne. After three busy clashes, a fourth fight was promoted in 2023. The Tupiniquim, however, was defeated by technical knockout (medical interruption) and said goodbye to the belt, leaving the category afterwards.

Amanda Nunes x Julianna Peña (2022)

A. Nunes defeated J. Pena in the main fight of UFC 277 (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

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Greatest fighter in UFC history, Amanda nunes experienced an unlikely episode at the end of 2021. Faced with the discredited Julianna Pena, the Brazilian experienced her first defeat after an undefeated series of 12 positive results in the company. Submitted by the Venezuelan, the Bahian woman momentarily said goodbye to the belt she had held since 2016.

Without the title, Nunes got an immediate rematch months later. Facing her opponent, the Brazilian proved that her stumble in the previous round was nothing more than a coincidence and regained her throne after dominating her opponent for five rounds.

Honorable mention: Stipe Miocic x Daniel Cormier (2020)

S. Miocic (right) and D. Cormier (left). Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @stipemiocic

Former light heavyweight champion (up to 93kg.), Daniel Cormier, in 2019, made history by migrating categories and brutalizing Stipe Miocic in his debut in the 120,2kg division. In front of the icon of the category, the now commentator made the challenge seem easy and joined the select list of athletes who won two titles in different divisions.

Considered by many to be the greatest heavyweight of all time in MMA, Miocic returned to the Octagon for an immediate rematch against DC. Although Cormier added one title defense against Derrick Lewis Before facing the veteran again, the confrontation with Stipe was inevitable. In the second fight, in 2020, the former champion returned the knockout suffered in the previous season, resuming the absolute top spot in the category.