Watch UFC Kansas Wilson Reis Ronaldo Jacaré

D. Johnson (left) faces W. Reis (right): both can make history (Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC)

Ultimate arrives in Kansas City, this Saturday (15), with a show full of intriguing fights and a main event where the champion Demetrious Johnson can make history. Currently with nine consecutive defenses of his flyweight belt, DJ can match none other than Anderson Silva if you pass through Brazilian Wilson reis. Thus, the North American would be just one fight away from becoming the most dominant champion in UFC history.

In addition to the fight for the flyweight title, UFC Kansas features an excellent battle between Ronaldo Jacare, renewed contract, and Robert whittaker. The Brazilian tries to stay on track for the middleweight belt, while the New Zealander tries to surprise and put himself ahead of other contenders for the middleweight title. Michael Bisping.

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Still in the main portion of the event, a duel of muses promises to shake up the strawweight division. Michelle Waterson, the Karate Hottie, faces Rose “Thug” Namajunas, and the winner could be close to competing for the title, currently in possession of Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

UFC Kansas will bring, in addition to Jacaré and Wilson, three other Brazilians. Renato Moicano opens the main card against the veteran Jeremy Stephens, in a featherweight duel; Augusto Tanquinho measures forces against aljamain sterling by the roosters; while Ketlen Scallop seeks her second victory in the UFC against Ashlee Evans-Smith, in the women's bantamweight division.

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To get you in the mood for UFC Kansas, the SUPER FIGHTS prepared five reasons for you to attend the event.

1 – The reign of Demetrious Johnson

D. Johnson has already defended his belt nine times (Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC)

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During almost his entire UFC career, even as champion, Demetrious Johnson was in the shadow of other big names. This Saturday (15), however, he has the chance to match one of the biggest names in MMA history: Anderson Silva. If you win Wilson reis, DJ will have the same number of saves in a row as Spider: 10.

However, Johnson is already looking ahead. His biggest goal is to surpass Anderson, reach 11 title defenses and return to bantamweight to seek the top title, which he competed for in 2011, when he lost to Dominick Cruz – his last defeat in MMA. Since then, there have been 12 fights, with 11 wins and one draw. Won Joseph Benavidez e John Dodson twice, he beat Ali Bagautinov and Kyoji Horiguchi, as well as the Olympic wrestling champion Henry Cejudo. Numbers and victims that gave DJ the right to look beyond Wilson.

If you pass by the Brazilian, a fight with cody garbrandt it's possible. The two expressed mutual interest in facing each other. If Garbrandt defends the bantamweight title against TJ Dillashaw, it is possible that this fight will come out. Whether it will be for the title of DJ or “No Love”, nothing has been decided. After all, Johnson still needs to overcome Reis to continue with his dream of overtaking Anderson Silva alive.

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2 – Wilson Reis and the chance to make history

Wilson could become the first Brazilian flyweight champion. (Mike Roach/UFC)

Like himself Wilson reis already admitted on other occasions, his victory over Demetrious Johnson it would be one of the biggest upsets in MMA history. That doesn't stop the Januária native from Minas Gerais from dreaming of the flyweight title. A veteran of the sport, he has been in other major organizations, such as ElliteXC, Bellator and Cage Warriors.

It was in the UFC, however, that Wilson earned the respect of his peers. With one of the best jiu-jitsu games in the lighter divisions, the Brazilian opened his career in Ultimate as a bantamweight, but saw an opportunity to seek the world title as a flyweight, where he wouldn't have the disadvantage of size. This Saturday (15), the opportunity to make your biggest dream come true.

Even though it is very difficult, his fighting style allows him to dream. Wilson is known for his standing pressure game and excellent half guard when he is on top of his opponent on the ground. If he can bring DJ into his world, it's not impossible that he will shock the world and make history. Let's wait.

3 – Alligator with an eye on the belt

Jacaré entrant Whittaker on the main card. (Photo: Anthony Geathers/UFC

If there were a poll about the most wronged fighters today, have no doubt that the name of Ronaldo Jacare would be, at least, in the top 3. With seven wins and only one defeat – beyond controversial, by the way – in the company, the middleweight challenger will have to “kill another lion” to continue pursuing his dream to reach the highest place on the podium.

And it won't be an easy life, quite the opposite. His opponent this time is the Australian Robert whittaker, which comes from six consecutive results and is also looking for bigger flights. Standing up, theoretically, the Brazilian will be at a disadvantage. On the ground, however, the image changes, and the X-Gym athlete will have a great chance to show why he is considered one of the best jiu-jitsu in the world.

If Jacaré is successful, what will be the next step? Facing the winner of Bisping vs Georges St.P Pierre? See your personal friend Anderson Silva pierce the wire? Carry out a rematch against Yoel romero? The questions are many, but the answers are still a mystery. It remains for Jacaré, at the height of his 37 years, to continue his journey in the same efficient way he has done so far: shining inside the Octagon.

4 – Duel of muses

Namajunas (left) and Waterson (right) face each other this Saturday. (Photos: UFC/Montage: Super Fights)

Namajunas (left) and Waterson (right) face off in Kansas. (Photos: UFC/Montage: Super Fights)

You know that saying: “It’s not just a pretty face”? Well, it fits the strawweights perfectly. Rose namajunas e Michelle Waterson. 4th and 6th in the category ranking, respectively.

Finalist of TUF 20, Namajunas had the opportunity to reach the UFC making history by winning the inaugural strawweight belt, but was surprised by Carla esparza, which took the title. But the 24-year-old did not give up and achieved three victories – two by submission – until her rise was halted by the former challenger. Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Although very talented, the 5-3 record shows that Rose still needs to mature if she wants to be among the best in the world at 52kg

Former Invicta FC atomweight champion, Waterson, seven years older, has experience on her side in this duel. In MMA since 2007, she has been in action on 18 occasions, having her arm raised on 14. In Ultimate, however, her journey is just beginning. She debuted in July 2015, finishing Angela Magana. After a 17-month hiatus, she returned against paige vanzant, and a new finish left her in a comfortable position in the division.

5 – Brazilians in action

Moicano, Tanquinho and Ketlen are at UFC Kansas ((Photos: UFC/Montage: Super Lutas)

Whoever thinks that Wilson reis e Ronaldo Jacare They are the only Brazilians with big aspirations this UFC Saturday. Maintaining the appropriate proportions, Renato Moicano, Augusto Tanquinho and Ketlen Scallop, who will also enter the octagon in Kansas, have important challenges ahead.

Moicano will be responsible for opening the main card. Without fighting since May 2016, when he overcame the Russian Zubaira Tukhugov At the historic UFC 198, in Curitiba, the 27-year-old from Brasilia will face an unpleasant challenge: the Casca-Grosa Jeremy Stephens, 5th in the featherweight rankings, and executioner of names like Rafael dos Anjos, Ron Jason e Renan Barao. Undefeated in his career, with 11 wins and a draw, Moicano will put at stake not only his unbeaten record, but also the opportunity to achieve the greatest achievement of his career.

Another highlight from Canary Islands is bantamweight Augusto Tanquinho. World jiu-jitsu champion, the Rio native arrived at Ultimate on the wrong foot, being knocked out by the current champion cody garbrandt, but the recovery came last January, with an important victory over Frankie Saenz. In his third commitment in the house, another quarry, the talented prospect aljamain sterling. A new triumph will mean for Tanquinho a place among the best in his weight class and, as a bonus, he will be the seventh Brazilian to appear among the 15 best ranked under 61kg.

In the first attraction of the night, another invincibility will be put to the test. Ketlen Scallop, 25 years old, arrived in Ultimate in a discreet way, beating Kelly Faszholz on points last October, and now he needs a convincing performance to show what he came for and justify the nickname 'Phenomenon'. With a 100% success rate in seven fights, the Manaus native will have to stop the rise of Ashlee Evans-Smith, who has two positive results and is 13th in the rankings. If her name is announced by Bruce Buffer at the end of the match, Ketlen will move up important steps in the house.