R. Whittaker (left) makes a tense face to face with D. Till towards the UFC Fight Island 3. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Weekend of excitement. In the event that ends the marathon of shows on 'Ilha da Luta', Ultimate will promote a real show for its fans. This Saturday (25), in Abu Dhabi, the organization will present spectators with 15 clashes, including a Brazilian squad divided into the main and preliminary cards.
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In the main fight, a confrontation that promises to catch fire. In the hunt for the middleweight title (up to 83,9kg.), Robert whittaker e Darren till will exchange forces in search of a chance to compete for the category belt, which today belongs to Israel adesanya.
The penultimate fight of the night presents MMA enthusiasts with a clash with nostalgic appeal. Mauritius Shogun e Rogério Minotouro will put an end to a rivalry that began more than 15 years ago, back in the days of PRIDE.
The show will also feature performances by Fabricio Werdum, Marina Rodriguez, Alex Cowboy, Francisco Massaranduba, Raphael Bebezão e Beth Pitbull.
Whittaker vs. Till
Just over nine months after the defeat to Israel adesanya, which cost Whittakker the middleweight belt, the Australian returns to the octagon with the intention of proving that he is still capable of regaining his old status. The athlete will have the challenge of stopping Darren's momentum, who officially moved to the top division in November last year.
After defeating the former challenger for the category's interim belt, Kelvin Gastelum, Till achieved a prominent place in the division and assumed the duty of facing the former champion on his return.
The confrontation promises to be eventful and there is an expectation that the confrontation will not last the scheduled five rounds.
Farewell night
O UFC Fight Island 3 will be marked by two important farewells for the Brazilian public in Ultimate. In the 13th performance of the night, Tupiniquin fans will be able to watch the last time the former heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg.), Fabricio Werdum, put on the organization’s gloves.
In the last fight of his contract, the gaucho will exchange forces against Alexander Gustafson, who makes his debut in the top division. The Swede will be responsible for determining the tone of the 'Vai Cavalo' goodbye in the company.
The co-main fight will also mark the final appearance of another MMA icon. In the final chapter of the trilogy against Mauritius Shogun, Rogério Minotouro retires from the sport at the age of 44, putting an end to a historic rivalry.
Minotouro and Shogun faced each other for the first time 15 years ago, still for the now defunct PRIDE. The second fight took place 10 years later, in Ultimate. On both occasions, the Curitiba native ended up having his arm raised at the end, however, the Bahian insists that he was harmed in the last result. Now, the Brazilians will be placed face to face in the octagon for the final fight.
More Brazilians
In addition to Minotouro, Shogun and Werdum, Brazil will have five more representatives throughout the event. On the preliminary card, the first Tupiniquim athlete to step into the octagon will be Bethe Correia.
Former challenger for the bantamweight belt (under 61,2kg), the Paraíba native will try to score her second consecutive victory in the organization. Coming from victory against sijara eubanks, 'Pitbull' wants another positive result to dream about a future title fight again.
After Bethe, a fight between the heavyweights. Raphael Bebezão has his third commitment since his debut in Ultimate. After having his opponent changed at the last minute, the Rio native remains optimistic and believes in a triumph against the dangerous Tanner Boser.
Closing the preliminary card, the Brazilian xodó, Francisco Massaranduba, will also be present. Seeking to confirm the good phase and record the third consecutive victory in the organization, the lightweight will be responsible for giving a 'welcome' to Jai Herbert in the UFC.
The event will also mark the return of Alex Cowboy to the octagon three months after their last confrontation. The fighter from Três Rios (RJ) will seek his second consecutive victory in the clash against Peter sobotta, which was beaten by Leon edwards in your last appointment and you need to win.
In one of the most important fights of his career, Marina Rodriguez will have a tough challenge this weekend. Seeking to get into the top 5 of the straws, the gaúcha has a confirmed fight against the former champion of the division, Carla esparza. Undefeated in MMA, the Brazilian hopes to maintain her winning record to continue dreaming of a future title fight.
UFC Ilha da Luta 2 specifications
Data: July 25, 2020
Timetable: From 18pm (Brasília time)
Location: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
How to watch: SUPER FIGHTS LIVE in real time and Canal Combate (the entire card) on TV
MAIN CARD (21pm, Brasília time):
Average weight (up to 83.9 kg.): Robert whittaker x Darren till
Light heavyweight (up to 93.1 kg.): Mauritius Shogun x Rogério Minotouro
Heavy weight (up to 120 kg.): Fabricio Werdum x Alexander Gustafson
Straw weight: Carla esparza x Marina Rodriguez
Light heavyweight (up to 93.1 kg.): Paul Craig x Gadzhimurad Antigulov
Welterweight (up to 77.1 kg.): Alex Cowboy x Peter sobotta
Welterweight (up to 77.1 kg.): Khamzat Shimaev x rhys mckee
PRELIMINARY CARD (18pm, Brasília time):
Light weight (up to 70.3 kg.): Francisco Massaranduba x Jai Herbert
Welterweight (up to 77.1 kg.): Nicholas Dalby x Jesse Ronson
Heavy weight (up to 120 kg.): Tom aspinall x Jake collier
Featherweight (up to 65.7 kg.): Movsar Evloev x Mike Grundy
Heavy weight (up to 120 kg.): Raphael Bebezão x Tanner Boser
Bantam weight (up to 61.2 kg.): Beth Pitbull x Pannie kianzad
Welterweight (up to 77.1 kg.): Ramazan Emeyev x Niklas Stolze
Bantam weight (up to 61.2 kg.): Nathaniel Wood x John Castaneda
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