Brazil can add eight UFC titles in 2021. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube UFCato
One of the biggest saddles for athletes in mixed martial arts in history, Brazil has gone through a title 'drought' in recent years. The story, however, started to improve in 2020, when Deiveson Figueiredo joined the Amanda nunes and brought a belt to his country. For the next season, the expectation is that other Brazilian fighters will face champions in their respective divisions and, if they are successful, the nation could have its number of titles almost tripled.
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Currently, Brazil has three belts in the UFC. Deiveson holds the title of champion in flyweight (up to 56,7kg) and Amanda nunes leads among women, with two titles: one among bantamweights (up to 61,2kg.) and one in featherweights (up to 65,7kg.).
The situation, which has been bad since 2017, can be viewed with optimism. Next year, at least five Tupiniquin athletes are on the front line for future title fights.
Follow below fighters who could go down in history as Ultimate champions.
Jessica Stacker
J. Andrade (photo) debuted at flyweight in October 2020. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Former champion in women's strawweight (up to 52,1kg), Jessica Stacker is close to trying to become the second woman to win two belts in different categories in Ultimate.
After a successful trajectory in the under-52,1kg division, the Paraná native, who lost the title to Weili Zhang in 2019, he decided to test himself at flyweight and did well. In her first challenge, the woman from Paraná was chosen to face the number one in the ranking, Katlyn chookagian and won with a hard knockout in the first round.
After the result, Jéssica assumed the position of number one challenger and, according to Dana White, she is the favorite to exchange forces against the dangerous Valentina Shevchenko in the next season.
Charles of the Bronx
C. Do Bronx ran over T. Ferguson at FUC 256. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Undefeated for eight fights, Charles of the Bronx had an impeccable year. After overcoming Kevin Lee No. UFC Brasilia, the São Paulo native insisted so much that he managed to fulfill his dream of being selected against a top 5 team.
From the Bronx, however, he was not pitted against just any opponent. The fighter was paired against the feared Tony Ferguson, for one of the main fights of the UFC 256. Confident of a good moment, the Brazilian took the challenge seriously and, after three rounds, shocked the world with an impeccable performance, in which he completely nullified one of the best fighters of all time in the lightweight category (up to 70,3kg).
After the triumph, Charles reached third place in the rankings led by Khabib Nuramgomedov. The Brazilian now awaits the result of the fight between Conor McGregor e Dustin poirier. The expectation is that, if the Russian decides to remain retired, a belt will be created and that the Brazilian will compete for it against the Irish or the North American, who will exchange forces on January 23rd.
Gilbert Durinho
G. Durinho (left) in victory over T. Woodley (right) on May 30th. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc_brasil
With 100% success rate since returning to welterweight (up to 77kg), Durinho has been haunting the category with solid and consistent performances. With two fights in 2020, including a tough knockout over Demian Maia and a 'walk' on Tyron woodley, the Brazilian guaranteed the right to challenge Kamaru Usman for the category belt.
The duel became official for the UFC 251. The Niteroi native, however, ended up testing positive for Covid-19 and left the fight, giving way to Jorge masvidal, which was beaten by the Nigerian.
The athlete is now waiting for a new date to face Usman. The expectation is that the dispute will take place in the first half of 2021.
Paulo borrachinha
Borrachinha (left) beats Hall. Photo: Reproduction / Twitter UFC
Even defeated by Israel adesanya in one of the most anticipated fights of 2020, Paulo borrachinha remains one of the main names in the middleweight division (up to 83,9kg.). Current number two in the ranking led by his last tormentor, Israel adesanya, the Minas Gerais native didn't take long to return to training and continues to insist on a confrontation against Robert whittaker, to regain the path of victories.
In a recent interview with PVT, Paulo's manager, Wallid Ismail, confirmed that his pupil is close to having his fight confirmed against the Australian, who, today, is number one in the group, behind only Adesanya.
If the confrontation gets off the ground and Borrachinha overcomes Whittaker, the Brazilian will certainly return to the role of challenger and could suggest the dream rematch against the Nigerian.
In the meantime, Israel must test itself at light heavyweight. The UFC is negotiating a superfight between the middleweight champion and the leader of the under-93kg category. Jan Blachowicz.
Glover Teixeira
G. Teixeira surpassed T. Marreta in the UFC Las Vegas 13. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @ufc
Veteran, but with a boy's physique, Glover Teixeira It was one of the most pleasant surprises for Brazil in 2020. In great form and at the top of the light heavyweight category, the Minas Gerais native managed to regain his status as a challenger for the division title.
Glover fought for the belt in 2014, when he faced Jon Jones and ended up overcoming the judges' decision. More than six years have passed and the Brazilian managed to remain relevant in the group, despite going through moments of instability.
The Minas Gerais native took the number one position in the ranking after beating Thiago Marreta in early November, with a third-round finish. After the match, Dana White stated that the Brazilian deserves a chance to fight for the title. Glover's dream, however, comes up against Ultimate's desire to promote a meeting between Adesanya and Blachowicz.
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