UFC 181: With two title fights, PPV will not have Brazilians for the first time in 18 events

Hendricks x Lawler (left) and Pettis x Melendez (right) are the main fights of UFC 181. Photo: Produção Super Lutas (Disclosure)

This Saturday (05), Mandalay Bay, in Las Vegas (USA), hosts the last Ultimate event in pay-per-view 2014: UFC 181. With two title fights – Anthony Pettis x Gilbert Melendez in lightweight and John hendricks x Robbie Lawler at welterweight - the card will be the first PPV to not feature Brazilians on its schedule since the distant UFC 161, no less than 18 events of this type ago.

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In total, 22 fighters will take to the octagon set up in the casino and hotel, 21 North Americans and one Jamaican. The last time there were no Brazilian fighters on the card, in June last year, there was greater diversity of nationality, with North Americans, Canadians, British, Croatians and even a Haitian divided between the fights on the schedule.

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The absence of Brazilians on the UFC 181 card, however, was only defined on September 22nd. Until the date, Vitor belfort would face Chris Weidman for the middleweight title in the main fight of the night, but the champion ended up getting injured and the duel was postponed until February of next year.

Hendricks and Lawler have a rematch for the welterweight belt

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In March of this year, after five years in possession of the Canadian Georges St Pierre, the welterweight belt would finally have a new owner. With GSP's absence from MMA for an indefinite period, John hendricks e Robbie Lawler were called up to compete for the vacant title. In the main fight of UFC 171, the duo fought a fierce battle, for many a strong candidate for “Fight of the Year 2014”, won by Hendricks in a unanimous decision by the judges (REVIEW THE FIGHT HERE). Now, almost nine months later, the two meet again fighting for the title of champion of the 77 kg division.

But the two rivals arrive at this Saturday's duel (06) in very different situations. While Lawler defeated Jake ellenberger and Matt Brown after the setback in March to secure himself again as a challenger, Hendricks has not fought since their first meeting due to injuries to his biceps and shin.

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But even that doesn't lessen expectations for another very busy fight with a lot of striking. Despite Hendricks' past in the wrestling, the champion does not have a history of avoiding stand-up fights and is recognized for his left hand, which has already taken several opponents to the canvas. Lawler, in turn, is famous for his boxing and kickboxing and has almost 80% of his victories by knockout or technical knockout.

Pettis defends his title for the first time against Melendez

The co-main fight of the night is one of the longest-announced fights in history. The duel between the lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and challenger Gilbert Melendez was confirmed in February this year, along with the duo's lineup for technical roles at TUF 20. The clash marks the first title defense for Pettis, who won the belt last year by winning Ben henderson.

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Known for his spectacular blows, with emphasis on the memorable “Showtime kick” (in which he walked through the cage without landing a high kick in the now-defunct WEC), Pettis is on a four-fight winning streak. Melendez, on the other hand, is coming off a triumph against Diego Sanchez, after the controversial defeat to Ben henderson. Nick's training partner and Nate diaz secured the challenger position after a long contract renewal with the UFC, which covered a proposal from rival Bellator to retain him in the organization.

Check out the full UFC 181 card below:

MAIN CARD

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): John hendricks x Robbie Lawler;

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Anthony Pettis x Gilbert Melendez;

Heavyweight (up to 120 kg) Travis Browne x Brendan Schaub;

Heavyweight (up to 120 kg): Todd Duffee x Anthony Hamilton;

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Tony Ferguson x Abel Trujillo.

PRELIMINARY CARD

Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Urijah faber x Francisco Rivera;

Middleweight (up to 84 kg): Eddie Gordon x Josh Samman;

Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Corey anderson x Justin Jones;

Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Rachel Pennington x Ashlee Evans-Smith;