A. Pantoja (right) defeated M. Kape (left) in the UFC Las Vegas 18. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Two of the protagonists of the main card of the UFC Las Vegas 18, held this Saturday (6), in the United States, Alexandre pantoja and Diego Ferreira experienced different moments this weekend. The flyweight (up to 56,7kg.) won again in the organization, beating the former RIZIN champion, Manel kape, while the lightweight highlight (up to 70,3kg.) ended up losing the rematch against Beneil Dariush.
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Pantoja entered the octagon to recover from the defeat he suffered against Askar askarov, which temporarily removed him from a title fight. To return to the spotlight, Alexandre needed to beat former RIZIN champion, Kape, who was making his Ultimate debut.
The duel ended up being as expected. The Brazilian did not have an easy life, but, after 15 minutes of intense fighting, he was declared the winner in a unanimous decision by the judges.
The fight
The confrontation began with Pantoja taking the initiative in the confrontation, with a sequence of kicks. Kape moved well and tried to confuse the Brazilian. After an attempted attack, Alexandre was surprised with a left cross, but Pantoja absorbed the blow well. Kape knocked the Brazilian off balance with a low kick, but Alexandre continued walking forward. After three minutes, Pantoja landed two crosses squarely in his rival's face, but Manel just smiled. The athletes continued to promote a busy confrontation, with attacks from both sides. In the final seconds, Kape tried a plastic strike, but ended up losing his balance and falling. Alexandre struck his opponent from top to bottom, but there was no more time.
In the second stage, Kape returned to the fight, provoking the Brazilian. Pantoja maintained his concentration and waited for the best moment to attack his opponent. Alexandre tried to surprise his opponent with kicks to the waist and direct shots to the face. The attacks stopped at the Angolan's guard, who continued with intense movement. Near the final minute, the Brazilian connected with a series of straight shots and kicks to his opponent's waistline. Kape continued to bet on the counterattack. Close to the bell, Manel attempted a takedown, the timer reset.
The final round began with Kape risking a round kick, which went empty. After three minutes, Mane risked a combination of punches, but ended up suffering a well-aimed counterattack from Pantoja, with a high kick to the face. Alexandre showed concentration and tried to be efficient with his strikes. At the last minute, Pantoja complained about an illegal hit, but the confrontation continued. Kape tried to take advantage of the good moment and took the duel to the ground. Alexandre managed to get up and landed a knee to his opponent's face. Mane tried another takedown, but there was no more time.
Diego Ferreira loses and his undefeated streak ends
D. Ferreira (right) was defeated by B. Dariush (left) in the UFC Las Vegas 18. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In the lightweight elite (up to 70,3kg.), Carlos Diego Ferreira He ended up not being successful in his return to the octagon. In the rematch against Beneil Dariush, the Amazonian showed his strength in a tough confrontation. However, after three rounds, the Brazilian ended up losing a split decision from the judges.
The result interrupted Diego's six-fight winning streak in the UFC. The athlete has not lost a fight since April 2015, when he was defeated by Dustin poirier.
Now, the Brazilian takes a step back in the category and should lose tenth position in the ranking of the group led by Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Winner in the match, Dariush was full of praise for the Brazilian. In the interview after the positive result, the North American criticized the fact that the Amazonian was not selected to face athletes from the top 5 in the group.
After the triumph, Beneil should occupy the Brazilian's position in the group.
UFC Las Vegas 18 results
MAIN CARD
Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov derrotou alistair overeem by technical knockout at 2m36s of R2
Bantamweight: Cory Sandhagen derrotou Frankie Edgar by knockout at 28sec. from R1
Lightweight: Clay guida derrotou Michael Johnson in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Fly weight: Alexandre pantoja derrotou Manel kape in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Lightweight: Beneil Dariush derrotou Carlos Diego Ferreira in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Light Heavyweight: Danilo Marques submitted Mike Rodriguez with a rear naked choke at 4m52s of R2
PRELIMINARY CARD
Married weight: Devonte Smith derrotou Justin jaynes by technical knockout (medical interruption) at 3m38s of R2
Bantamweight: Karol Rosa defeated Joselyne Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Fly weight: Lara Procópio derrotou Molly McCann in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Featherweight: Seungwoo Choi defeated Youssef Zalal in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Featherweight: Timur Valiev defeated Martin Day in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-25, 30-26, 30-25)
Feather weight: Ode Osbourne derrotou Jerome Rivera by knockout at 26sec. from R1
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