Rachel Pennington (dir.) won the bantamweight belt in UFC 297. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Climbing to compete for the vacant women's bantamweight belt (up to 61,2kg), Mayra Sheetara was unsuccessful in the compromise. Inserted in the co-main fight of the UFC 297, held this Saturday (20), in Toronto (CAN), the Brazilian succumbed to the experience of Rachel Pennington and ended up not repeating the performances that led her to the challenge. After five rounds, the American was declared the winner with a unanimous decision by the judges.
With the result, Sheetara had to postpone her dream of becoming Ultimate champion. This weekend, the Minas Gerais native had the opportunity to make history and assume the throne of Amanda nunes.
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A UFC representative since 2013, Pennington was successful in his second attempt to wear a company belt. In her first opportunity, in 2018, the combatant ended up frustrated by the ‘Lioness’.
It was not this time
The fight started with Pennington taking the initiative with low kicks. Next, Pennington looked for the Brazilian's leg and looked for a takedown. Sheetara defended herself well. The two had an isometric confrontation on the bars. With just over a minute left, the athletes moved away and the clash was fought again in the center of the octagon. Halfway through the round, Mayra had the advantage and scored with attacks in the clinch. Subsequently, the Minas Gerais company managed to take a fall over the North American one. In an advantageous position, Sheetara tried to get to the back and attempted the submission. The veteran remained standing, but Mayra remained 'backpacked' on her back. In the final seconds, Sheetara remained under pressure, but her rival ended up saved by the bell.
The second round began with Pennington connecting a sequence of clean jabs to the Brazilian's face. Sheetara kept her distance and waited to launch her attacks. Still in the first minute, Mayra closed the distance and started looking for the takedown. Pressing the North American against the bars, the Minas Gerais woman insisted on her strategy. Halfway through the stage, Raquel moved away and started throwing clean straight shots at the Brazilian's face. Sheetara acknowledged the attacks and started walking back. The American tried to take advantage of the good moment and continued hitting Mayra. The advantage continued with Raquel, who pressed her opponent against the fences and continued scoring. In the final minute, Sheetara surprised and managed to get to her opponent's back. The girl from Minas Gerais started to rehearse the strangulation. Pennington defended himself, but was unable to free himself from the Tupiniquim. Again, Raquel was saved by the bell.
In the third round, Pennington took the initiative again. The veteran scored with jabs and straight shots. Sheetara responded, but the intention was clear to get closer and take her opponent to the ground. Mayra closed the distance and, once again, pressed her opponent against the bars. With almost two minutes, Sheetara managed to get the takedown, but Raquel managed to stay on her feet. The Brazilian once again scared her opponent by trying a standing choke, her trademark. Again, Pennington managed to free himself. With just over a minute remaining, Mayra risked a fall, but ended up falling into a disadvantageous position. The North American was unable to advance in a submission attempt and the match was once again fought on the feet. In the final seconds, Raquel took the Brazilian to the ground and risked a guillotine choke, but the Minas Gerais native managed to escape. The stage ended with Pennington taking advantage.
The North American followed the plan to return more aggressively to the confrontation. The veteran threw a cross and Sheetara responded. Afterwards, the Brazilian closed the distance and pressed her opponent against the bars again. Pennington reversed his position and began to put pressure on Tupiniquim. Halfway through the stage, Sheetara managed to get to the back and started trying for a rear naked choke. Pennington showed experience and managed to break free. The American ended up in an advantageous position and scored with ground and pound strikes. In the final minute, Mayra started to present danger, even from below. In the final seconds, Raquel pressed again with ground and pound, but there was no more time.
The last round began with Pennington attacking with jabs. Sheetara avoided open exchanges and gave her opponent room to advance. With one minute gone, Raquel managed to take the Brazilian to the ground. Pennington tried to fit the katagatame and the Brazilian just protected herself. The advantage was clear to Raquel, who did not allow the mining company to recover. In the final seconds, the American started attacking with ground and pound. Almost at the end, Pennington got to his feet and ended the fight by kicking Sheetara's legs.
Neil Magny ‘closes door’ on welterweight promise
Big underdog in the betting houses, Neil Magny proved that there are levels in Ultimate and prevented the welterweight standout (77,1kg.) from having the opportunity to join the category's elite. At a clear disadvantage compared to Mike Mallot, the ‘Haitian sensation’ used experience and staged an exciting comeback against his rival. In the third round, the veteran reached a mounted position and threw violent blows until the referee stopped him.
At 36 years old, Magny achieved his 22nd victory in the organization and ensured that he remains among the best in the division. Back on the path to victory, the athlete acted naturally when he staged a great triumph in enemy territory.
Seen as a great promise in the UFC, Mike Mallot He didn't know how to take advantage of the fight and paid dearly when he made mistakes in the final moments of the fight. A favorite in the bookmakers and confident during fight week, the Canadian had his streak of three victories interrupted and suffered the second setback in his career.
Strickland's partner, Curtis ruins Canadian party
Chris Curtis (left) defeated Marc-Andre Barriault No. UFC 297. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Protagonists of monotonous duel in Toronto, Canada, Chris Curtis e Marc-Andre Barriault do not please the public present at the Scotiabank Arena. Faced with three rounds of stand-up fighting, the athletes took the fight to points, where the North American prevailed in a split decision from the judges and returned to the winning path after two performances.
A veteran of mixed martial arts, Curtis reached his 31st career triumph and was successful in defending 14th place in the middleweight rankings (up to 83,9kg). At the end of the fight, the athlete avoided challenging a possible opponent in the division.
Prevented from maintaining his winning streak, Marc-André missed a great opportunity to enter the top 15 in the category. Fueled by two consecutive victories, the Canadian suffered his sixth setback in Ultimate and was surpassed in his home country.
Movsar Evloev lives up to favoritism and maintains unbeaten record
Movsar Evloev (dir.) in victory in UFC 297. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In safe and strategic performance, Movsar Evloev performed in the octagon of UFC 297 willing to maintain an unbeaten career, without allowing arnold allen feel free. Known for his talent in grappling, the Russian lived up to his favoritism and defeated his rival with great insistence on taking the fight to the ground. After three rounds, the featherweight standout (up to 65,7kg) secured 18 career victories via unanimous decision from the judges.
Currently ranked ninth in the category, Evloev expects to take a big step forward in the division after defeating Allen, who is currently in fourth place. Riding on eight consecutive victories, the Russian is getting closer to a possible title fight.
Moreover, arnold allen wastes a new opportunity and could say goodbye to the top 5 featherweights after updating the Ultimate rankings. At 29 years old, the Englishman suffered a second consecutive setback in the organization and expanded his record to 19 wins and two defeats.
UFC 297 results
MAIN CARD
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Dricus Du Plessis derrotou Sean Strickland in the judges' split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Rachel Pennington derrotou Mayra Sheetara in the unanimous decision of the judges (49-46, 49-46, 49-45) – fight for the belt
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Neil Magny derrotou Mike Malott by technical knockout at 4m45s of R3
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Chris Curtis derrotou Marc-Andre Barriault in the judges' split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Featherweight (up to 56,7 kg): Movsar Evloev derrotou arnold allen in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Garrett Armfield derrotou Brad Katona in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Sean Woodson derrotou Charles Jourdain in the judges' split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Ramon Taveras derrotou Serhiy Sidey in the judges' split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Straw weight (up to 52,1 kg): Gillian robertson derrotou Polyana viana by technical knockout at 3m12s of R2
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Yohan Lainesse x Sam Patterson
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Jasmine Jasudavicius finished Priscila Pedrita with a choke at 4m23s of R3
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Jimmy Flick finished Malcolm Gordon with an arm triangle at 1m17s of R2
