WATCH UFC 224 RIO SATURDAY

Even opponents. A. Nunes respects friendship with R. Pennington (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram UFC)

This Saturday (12) Ultimate will hold another event in Brazil: UFC 224, also called UFC Rio 9, is based in Rio de Janeiro. The 'Marvelous City' is home to the biggest MMA event in the world for the ninth time. In this edition, the women's bantamweight champion, Amanda nunes puts the belt up for grabs against the North American, Rachel Pennington.

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Amanda, Jacaré and Lyoto are favorites at bookmakers for UFC 224

The event card also features the following highlights: Ronaldo Jacare against Kelvin Gastelum; Mackenzie dern before Amanda Cooper; John Lineker mediating forces against brian kelleher, in addition to the 100% Brazilian dispute between Vitor belfort e Lyoto Machida.

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To get you into the spirit of the event, check out five reasons why you should watch UFC 224 Rio:

Amanda returns as a star where she debuted in the UFC

A. Nunes wants to keep peace with her opponent and friend, R. Pennington (Photo: Reproduction/Youtube UFC)

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Amanda nunes arrives at UFC Rio as the main attraction of the event. The bantamweight champion will defend her third belt – the first at home – against Rachel Pennington. The curious thing is that the Bahian's debut in the octagon took place precisely in the capital of Rio de Janeiro. At UFC 213, in August 2013, the Bahian, still without much prominence, needed just over two minutes to knock out Sheila Gaff on the preliminary card of the show, which featured José Aldo.

Since then, the Lioness has roared loudly: she won eight victories in her nine appearances and became the first Brazilian champion in Ultimate. She hit names like Miesha Tate, Valentina Shevchenko twice and even 'retired' Ronda Rousey.

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This Saturday, Amanda will need to overcome Pennington's courage to impose her boxing game and return to having her arm raised in the place where she had her first fight in the octagon.

The possible retirement of the 'Phenomenon'

Belfort in his title win at UFC 12 (Photo: Reproduction/ Facebook Vitor belfort)

Vitor belfort He is one of the most important athletes in the history of Brazilian MMA. The Phenomenon, 39 years old and dedicated to the sport for 20 years, has already starred in notable fights and brought the sport to the general public in the country. On Saturday night, the Brazilian can have his last fight as a professional. He faces his compatriot Lyoto Machida at the opening of the main card.

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Belfort began his history in Ultimate in 1997 and, in a single night, beat Tra Telligman and Scott Ferrozzo, by knockout. With that, he won the heavyweight tournament and became the youngest fighter in history to win the event, at 19 years old.

Since then, between coming and going to the UFC, Vitor won the light heavyweight belt by defeating Randy Couture in 2004, and returned to fight for the light heavyweight and middleweight titles, but always hitting the post.

At a time that is considered the UFC's 'big boom' in Brazil, Vitor faced Anderson Silva in what he himself called the 'Fight of the Century'. In February 2011, in the first round, he received a front kick and was knocked out by his compatriot. The duel was featured on several national TV channels, newspapers and magazines, considerably increasing Brazilian interest in the sport.

He returned to challenge for the light heavyweight belt in 2012, but was submitted by Jon Jones. In his last title shot, in 2015, Vitor ended up being knocked out by Chris Weidma in the first round.

Now, with his last fight under his contract, the Phenomenon, despite not officially confirming it, is expected to retire at the end of UFC Rio.

Ronaldo Jacaré, the candidate for the middleweight belt

R. Jacaré states: “my friends nicknamed me the alligator because I appeared more than the symbol of the academy”. (Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC)

The black belt Ronaldo Jacare steps into the octagon with one goal in mind: beating Kevin Gastelum and finally securing a shot at the middleweight belt (up to 84 kg.).

The Brazilian has been among the best in the division since the creation of the ranking, but never got the chance to fight for the title.

At 38 years old, he considered retiring from MMA after a series of injuries and several opportunities to fight for the belt were not offered. However, with changes in the category, Jacaré sees the chance once again being close.

With Luke Rockhold moving up to light heavyweight (up to 93 kg.) and Chris Weidman Still some time away from returning, the winner of the dispute between Jacaré and Gastelum should guarantee the fight for the belt.

UFC's new muse

M. Dern is inspired by Rose namajunas in MMA. (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram Mackenzie dern)

Mackenzie dern arrived at Ultimate in 2018, surrounded by expectation. The new UFC muse suffered in her Octagon debut, but managed to win Ashley yoder, in February. Now, just over two months after her debut, the beautiful brunette faces Amanda Cooper.

Dern is the daughter of Brazilian Wellington 'Megaton'. She was born in the United States, lived in Brazil and has dual nationality. The jiu-jitsu black belt started training with her father at the age of three, but when she decided to go into MMA, she encountered resistance at home.

At 25 years old, she is considered by many as a candidate to be the new muse of the octagon.

John Lineker, the Brazilian with the name “gringo”

J. Lineker began his life working as a bricklayer's assistant. (Photo: Disclosure/UFC)

John Lineker was named after English football striker Gary Lineker. The player had a career with teams such as Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham and was top scorer at the 1986 World Cup.

Brazilian John is from Paraná and became known as “Mãos de Pedra” and he will need to prove his nickname to win brian kelleher.

The North American who has already defeated the Brazilians Renan Barao e Iuri Marajó in the UFC, he will need to make use of his greater reach to keep the Brazilian at bay and avoid knowing the reason for the nickname 'Mãos de Pedra'