With a Brazilian legion, UFC debuts in Uruguay and features a title fight between Shevchenko and Carmouche

V. Shevchenko (photo) fights a rematch against L. Camouche. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @bulletvalentina

The weekend will be a premiere. For the first time in history, the UFC takes its structure to Uruguay. Right at the event's debut in the Latin country, the Ultimate board will promote Uruguayan fans a title fight and a card full of athletes representing South American countries. In total, 11 athletes from Brazil will perform in the Octagon at UFC Montevideo, this Saturday (10), and will be present in 10 of the 13 confirmed clashes this weekend.

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The main fight of the night will be marked by the reunion between Valentina Shevchenko and Liz Carmouche. The athletes will repeat a fight held in 2010, when they played for C3 Fights, but this time, the fight will be valid for the strawweight belt (up to 52,1) of the Ultimate.

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In addition to the duel for the women's title, Brazilian MMA enthusiasts can feel represented. Brazil will have its flag defended by no more, no less than 10 athletes from the country, in addition to Luiz Garagorri, who was born in Tupiniquim territory, but is a naturalized Uruguayan.

Valentina x Carmouche

The fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Liz Carmouche has a special flavor for fighters. The duel, in addition to marking a title fight, represents a settling of scores between the fighters, who have already faced each other almost 10 years ago. On that occasion, Carmouche won over the then young Shevchenko, who was defeated by knockout after suffering a cut on her face and was prevented from continuing the fight due to a medical interruption.

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The situation today is totally different. More experienced, Valentina is currently the division champion and will give Liz the opportunity to prove that she has the competence to defeat her opponent through normal means, without any medical interference.

The two fighters are coming off victories in their last fights. Shevchenko's last defeat came in September 2017, when the fighter, still playing in the bantamweight division (up to 61,1kg), tried her luck and faced the Brazilian Amanda nunes for the division title. The Kyrgyzstani was defeated after five rounds by a split decision between the judges. The result was contested by the fighter, who was also beaten by 'Leoa' in 2016.

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Undefeated for two fights, Carmouche went through a turbulent time in the UFC. The fighter, after losing in the bantamweight title fight, when the belt holder was still Ronda Rousey, in 2013, experienced moments of instability within Ultimate. In 2013 and 2014, the athlete suffered two consecutive defeats, causing her to fall in the division's ranking.

Liz made her flyweight debut in December 2017, when she was defeated by Canadian Alexys Davis in a split decision by the judges. After the negative result, the fighter managed to recover in her next two commitments.

At 31 years old, Valentina will defend her second belt, since beating Poland's Jonna Jedrzejczyk in the fight for the vacant title. In her professional career, the fighter has already competed in 20 fights, totaling 17 victories and three setbacks.

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Four years older than the champion, Liz has 19 confrontations, with 13 victories and six defeats.

Brazilians in Uruguay

UFC Montevideo could very well be confused with a card taking place in Brazil, given the high number of Brazilian athletes scheduled to perform in the octagon this weekend.

In the preliminary card alone, Brazilians are present in all confirmed clashes. Opening the attractions, Polyana viana faces Veronica macedo; followed by Alex Leko facing Rodrigo Kazula; Geraldo de Freitas exchange forces with Chris Gutierrez; compatriots Rogério Bantorin and Raulian paiva face each other in the fourth fight of the night; Marina Rodriguez fight against Tecia torres; Gilbert Durinho tests his skills in the confrontation with Alexey Kunchenko and, closing the first stage, Raphael Bebezão try to hit Ciryl Gane.

Among the main fights of the night, Brazil will be represented by three athletes. In the second fight of the final stage, the long-awaited debut of Ricardo Vieira, multiple world jiu-jitsu champion who debuts in Ultimate against Oskar Piechota, at middleweight (up to 83,9 kg) takes place. Brazilian-born Uruguayan Luiz Garagorri also steps up to the octagon to try to beat Humberto Bandenay. Finishing the Brazilian presentations, Vincent Luque face the dangerous Mike Perry in the co-main bout of the night.

The fights are scheduled to start at 18pm (Brasília time), with the preliminary card. The main clashes will start at around 21pm (Brasília time).