One victory away from a title fight, Brian Ortega and Zumbi Coreano exchange forces at UFC Ilha da Luta 6

B. Ortega (left) and Z. Coreano (right) face-off before UFC Ilha da Luta 6. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Important card for the featherweight division (up to 65,7kg.). This Saturday (17), at UFC Ilha da Luta 6, in Abu Dhabi, Ultimate offers fans 11 fights that promise to take spectators' breath away. In the main fight, the show will meet the new challenger for the category belt led by Alexander Volkanovsky.

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Assuming the leading role in the event, Brian ortega and Chan Sun Jung, the 'Korean zombie', they hold a long-awaited meeting on the stage set up in the United Arab Emirates. With the promise of facing the champion next, the fighters will give their all in the last performance of the night.

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In the co-main fight, Brazil will be in action. Former strawweight champion (up to 52,1kg.), Jessica Andrade, the 'Bate-Estaca', will make its debut in the fly category (up to 56,7kg.). In her first appointment, the woman from Paraná will have the tough task of beating number one in the ranking, Katlyn chookagian, and a victory could put her in line to fight for the belt.

In addition to 'Bate-Estaca', the green and yellow will be taken to the Octagon by three more fighters. On the main card, Claudius Hannibal e Thomas almeida will be the representatives. In the preliminary, Poliana Botelho will feature Tupiniquim fans.

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Ortega x 'Korean Zombie'

In addition to an opportunity to challenge the champion, this weekend's card represents a lot for Brian ortega. Without acting since December 2018, when he was defeated by the then champion, Max Holloway, in the fight for the title, the North American needs to prove that he is still capable of facing the division's elite athletes.

Against Jung, Brian will need to stop his rival's good form and assert his position as 2nd in the featherweight rankings. The fighter will also need to show that he has not let himself be shaken after the latest setback, which marked his first defeat in his career.

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While Ortega hasn't played in over a year, the 'Korean zombie' comes from two successful commitments in 2019. In great form, Chan achieved two big knockouts in his recent career; one against Renato Moicano (in June last year) and the other against Frankie Edgar (in December last year).

According to Ultimate's president, Dana White, the winner of this weekend's main fight will automatically be selected to try to end the reign of Volkanovski, champion since December.

'Bate-Estaca' x Chookagian

This weekend, the charismatic Jessica Andrade will try to prove that there are no limits to human beings. At UFC Ilha da Luta 6, the Brazilian will make history by becoming the first woman to fight in three different weight categories in the company.

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The Paraná native, however, will not have an easy time in her debut between the flies. 'Bate-Estaca' will exchange forces against the former challenger for the division's belt, Katlyn chookagian and, if he wins, he will put himself in a prominent position to ask for a clash against the current champion, Valentina Shevchenko.

Today, Chookagian is number one in the rankings. In her last fight, in May, the American defeated the champion's sister, Antonina Shevchenko, in a dominant performance.

Jéssica, in turn, comes from a defeat against Rose namajunas in tight result. The clash took place in July, at UFC 251.

More Brazil

Without fighting for over a year, Claudius Hannibal is back. Considered one of the biggest Brazilian bets in the welterweight division (up to 77kg), the Mato Grosso native will face James Krause. In addition to the opportunity to return to the octagon, the Tupiniquim will put his invincibility to the test once again. Hannibal has never lost with the organization's gloves, in five engagements.

Another Brazilian who has plenty of reasons to smile is Thomas almeida. Even though his opponent was changed at the last minute, the São Paulo native celebrates his return to action after more than two years away from the sport. Representative of the bantamweights (up to 61,2kg.), this Saturday, the athlete will act among the featherweights (up to 65,7kg.) and will exchange forces with Jonathan martinez, on the main card.

In the preliminary, another awaited return. Flyweight fighter, Poliana Botelho, away from the sport for over a year, will have a new test and will face Gillian robertson. Minas Gerais de Muriaé, the athlete has not performed since UFC 236, when he beat Lauren Mueller. A positive result at the weekend could officially place the athlete in the ranking, as her opponent is currently in 15th position.