Reasons to watch UFC 253 two title fights

P. Borrachinha (right) and I. Adesanya (left) make a serious face before the UFC 253. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

It took a while, but it arrived. Considered one of the most anticipated events of 2020, the UFC 253 promises to shake up the spirits of MMA fans. This Saturday (26), on the famous 'Fight Island', in Abu Dhabi, Ultimate will promote 11 fights, with two title fights, including the long-awaited clash between Paulo borrachinha e Israel adesanya.

See too

Video: Borrachinha throws a white belt at Adesanya and athletes almost face each other for UFC 253

Accused of doping by Adesanya, Borrachinha was tested more by USADA than his rival

Video: Fighters discuss 'Israel Adesanya x Paulo Borrachinha', which takes place this Saturday

Confident, Israel Adesanya ignores Paulo Borrachinha and reveals who he wants to fight against

In the main fight, Borrachinha tries to end the reign of Adesanya, middleweight champion (up to 83,9kg) since October last year. After more than a year of provocations, the athletes will have the opportunity to resolve their differences inside the octagon in a five-round fight.

PUBLICITY:

Before the 'icing on the cake', another historic fight takes place in the United Arab Emirates. Dominick reyes e Jan Blachowicz exchange forces in the duel that will define the new light heavyweight champion (up to 93kg), officially ending the 'era Jon Jones', as the former leader gave up the title to test himself in the 120kg division.

In addition to watching Borrachinha in the main fight, the Brazilian public will have three more representatives in the show. Ketlen Scallop, Alex Leko e Danilo Marques will be present at the show.

PUBLICITY:

To get in the mood, our team selected five reasons to follow the UFC 253. Check out:

1) Borrachinha x Adesanya: the reckoning

P. Borrachinha (right) and I. Adesanya (left) get awkward before the UFC 253. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @ufcespañol

PUBLICITY:

Paulo borrachinha e Israel adesanya They are, without a shadow of a doubt, two of the greatest talents of the new generation within the middleweight division. Undefeated in their respective careers, the fighters have been teasing each other for over a year and their attacks on each other ended up engaging the public, who eagerly await the duel.

With 13 fights in his career, Borrachinha is trying for his first UFC belt. Known for the physical strength and aggressiveness with which he conducts his duels, the Minas Gerais native will have to overcome his opponent's refined technique to take the position of division leader.

Undefeated in 19 appearances, Israel needs to overcome the fury of an opponent who has already promised to knock him out at any cost. Compared, by some, to Anderson Silva, the Nigerian will defend his second belt and, if he wins, he will continue his hegemony in the division.

PUBLICITY:

2) Brazil at the top, after Anderson Silva

A. Silva (photo) is considered the best middleweight in UFC history. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @spideranderson

In addition to the personal dream of sporting a belt, Paulo borrachinha He carries on his back a generation of fans who have become accustomed to a Brazilian at the top of the category. The miner will try to occupy the position he once held Anderson Silva, the best in history among middleweights.

Considered by many to be the best fighter of all time, 'Spider' reigned supreme in the category between 2006 and 2013. In total, the Brazilian made 10 title defenses and established himself in the sport as a true legend.

More than seven years have passed since Anderson lost the title in the fateful fight against Chris Weidman, at UFC 162. Since then, Lyoto Machida e Vitor belfort They tried, but none managed to take Silva's place. Now, then, it's Borrachinha's turn to try to put Brazil back at the top of the middleweight division.

3) Reyes x Blachowicz

D. Reyes (left) and J. Blachowicz (right) face each other before the UFC 253. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Even with the spotlight on the main fight, Dominick reyes e Jan Blachowicz they will live the most important night of their lives in MMA. Chosen for the confrontation that will define the replacement of Jon Jones In the light heavyweight category (up to 93kg), the North American and the Pole will leave everything in the octagon to reach the top.

The last athlete to face 'Bones', Reyes knows the feeling of playing for a belt. In February, the young man fought a real battle against Jones and, for many, he ended up being wronged by the judges, who awarded the victory on points to the then champion. Since then, a rematch between the two began to be demanded by the public, but the clash never got off the ground.

Current number three in the rankings, Blachowicz was one of the beneficiaries of Jon's move to heavyweight. The Pole, who is coming off a great victory over Corey anderson, ended up winning the spot and will compete for the Ultimate title for the first time in his career.

Considered an underdog in the bookmakers, the athlete hopes to silence the critics and prove that, in fact, he is capable of being at the top of the category.

4) Post Jones era

J. Jones gave up the light heavyweight title to compete in the 120kg division. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC

Although Jon Jones Although he was at the center of some confusion outside the octagon, his importance for the sport and his ability to face opponents that are renewed over the years are undeniable.

Undefeated in 18 fights, the American has only one defeat in his career, by disqualification, in 2009. 'Bones' won the division's belt in 2011, when he ran over the Brazilian Mauritius Shogun, at UFC 128. Since then, he hasn't stopped.

Between doping scandals and legal problems, there were 11 title defenses and confirmation that, in fact, he was a distinguished athlete. In August of this year, Jones decided to abandon his position as light heavyweight champion to try something new. The athlete will now be part of the dangerous heavyweight division and has left the way open for a new champion at 93kg.

It is impossible to know whether any athlete will one day be able to repeat the American's feats. However, this Saturday, either Reyes or Blachowicz will have the chance to write the first chapter of the division's new era.

5) More Brazil

K. Vieira is one of the Brazilian representatives in the UFC 253. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

In addition to Borrachinha, Brazil will have three more representatives in the UFC 253. First athlete to step into the octagon this Saturday, Danilo Marques will make his debut with the organization. A light heavyweight representative, the 34-year-old from São Paulo arrives in Ultimate with a record of nine wins and two losses in his career. The combatant will exchange forces against the Russian Khadis Ibragimov, who, in three appearances in Ultimate, did not win any.

Representative of the lightweights, Alex Leko will close the preliminary card in the confrontation against Brad Riddell. Coming off a victory over Rodrigo 'Kazula' Vargas, the Santa Catarina native reaches his third appearance in Ultimate and is looking for stability, as he won one and was beaten in the other. Against the Brazilian, Riddell will try to maintain his unbeaten record in the organization. So far, the New Zealander has two positive results with UFC gloves.

On the preliminary card, the promise for the bantamweight division (up to 61,2kg.), Ketlen Scallop is back. After a tough defeat to Irene aldana, which marked the first setback in the Amazonian's career, in December last year, the athlete is trying to recover and resume her trajectory towards the top of the category. Current number seven, Tupiniquim will exchange forces against sijara eubanks, who accepted the challenge at the last minute, replacing Marion Reneau, who left the card due to injury.