UFC Belém brings chance of recovery for Lyoto and 'Brazilian MMA' in 2018

Lyoto (left) and Anders (right) take part in the main fight of UFC Belém. Photo: Reproduction / YouTube UFC

Ultimate opens the 2018 season in Brazil with its debut in the North region. And UFC Belém couldn't come at a better time for our athletes. In 10 fights involving Brazilians in 2018, only one victory. However, the show in the capital of Pará will feature 12 fights with local athletes facing fighters from other countries. Even though a turnaround from the 1-9 “negative record” is unlikely, reducing the losses is almost an obligation for the home team.

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Protagonist of the main fight, Lyoto Machida also seeks recovery. Coming off three consecutive defeats, the former light heavyweight champion needs to get past the undefeated Anders to remain relevant within the middleweight division (up to 84 kg.)

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Another very relevant duel takes place in the recently opened women's flyweight category. The Kyrgyz Valentina Shevchenko, former challenger for the bantamweight belt and favorite to win the title of the new division (currently held by Nicco Montaño), seeks to qualify for the fight with the champion against the Brazilian Priscila Pedrita, who trains with Jessica Andrade at PRVT and is having her first fight in Ultimate.

Not to mention duels involving ranked Brazilians, cases of Thiago Marreta (15th best middleweight), who faces Anthony Smith, and Deiveson Figueiredo (14th in flyweight) – the “God of War” measures forces with Joseph Morales.

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With the rope around your neck

L. Machida (left) catches E. Anders in Belém (Photo: Reproduction Instagram ufc_brasil)

Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Lyoto Machida returned in October last year after two years away due to doping-related suspension. However, the return was not as he expected – defeat by knockout against Derek Brunson. A few months later, Dragão makes its debut “at home” to return to the path of victories.

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Before him stands the dangerous Erik Anders. A former American football player with an undefeated professional record in MMA so far, the middleweight, who is married to a Brazilian, has two UFC victories. Interestingly, his opponents were two Brazilians, the retired Rafael Sapo and Markus Maluko.

Facing Anders, Lyoto knows he needs to prove that he can still be relevant in the middleweight category. A new defeat, which would be his fourth in a row, puts him close to forced retirement.

One step away from paradise

V. Shevchenko (left) picks up P. Pedrita (left) (Photo: Reproduction Instagram ufcespanol)

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Former bantamweight title challenger, the Kyrgyzstani Valentina Shevchenko He will make his flyweight debut at UFC Belém, his natural category. “Bullet’s” plans are clear: win the belt of the new division, currently with Nicco Montaño, and return to bantamweight to seek revenge on his rival Amanda nunes.

Before stamping her passport for a fight with Montaño, however, Shevchenko needs to confirm her status as favorite against Priscila Pedrita in the third most important fight of this Saturday’s event (3).

Priscila will make her debut in Ultimate, but she already has experience at a similar level, as she trains with Jessica Andrade, former challenger for the organization's strawweight belt. Pedrita is known by the nickname “Zombie Girl”, because she can take a lot of hits and keep moving forward. Promise of a great fight against the technical and violent Shevchenko.