Five reasons to watch UFC 259, with three title fights

J. Blachowicz (left) tries to prevent I. Adesanya (right) from winning his second Ultimate belt. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The big moment has arrived. This Saturday (6), Las Vegas (USA) will host one of the biggest Ultimate events in recent years. At the UFC 259, the organization will present fans with a super event, which will feature three title fights and 12 more presentations throughout the night. The show will start at 19:30 pm (Brasília time).

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Amanda Nunes is the biggest favorite of the night at UFC 259

The last clash of the show will mark the long-awaited meeting between Jan Blachowicz e Israel adesanya. In the confrontation, the Pole will try to defend his first light heavyweight belt (up to 93kg), while the Nigerian seeks to make history and win his second title in the company.

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In the co-main fight, she! Greatest fighter of all time, Amanda nunes returns to the octagon to 'save' his featherweight 'crown' (up to 65,7kg). This weekend, the Brazilian will face the dangerous Megan anderson.

Another confrontation expected by fans is the clash between Petr yan e aljamain sterling. After months of provocations on social media, the Russian will try to keep the bantamweight belt (up to 61,2kg) and, to do so, he will have to stop a fast and technical opponent.

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In addition to the title disputes, Brazilian fans will have more to watch. On the main card, Thiago Marreta will be the Brazilian attraction. In the preliminary, Rogerio Bontorin, Livinha Souza e Amanda lemos (the compatriots face each other) represent yellow-green.

To get in the mood, our team selected five reasons to follow the UFC 259. Check out:

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1) Superfight between Blachowicz and Adesanya

I. Adesanya (right) could become yet another athlete to win two belts in different divisions. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The icing on the cake of the show is in the last fight. To the excitement of spectators, Ultimate decided to give its new star a chance, Israel adesanya, win a second title in the organization.

Absolute middleweight champion (up to 83,9kg), the Nigerian decided to test himself in the light heavyweight division (up to 93kg) to try to make history in the company. To achieve such a feat, however, Israel will not have an easy task. The athlete will need to overcome the physical strength of Jan Blachowicz, who makes his first title defense.

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Strength and speed will be elements that could define the confrontation. While the Pole has an advantage in terms of power, Adesanya will bring all his technical quality to the Octagon, which, over the last few years, has enchanted fans of the sport.

If he overcomes Blachowicz, Israel will join the select group of fighters who hold two belts in different divisions. On the other hand, if Jan wins, he will, in addition to keeping his position, become the first man to defeat the Nigerian in an MMA confrontation.

2) Amanda Nunes defends reign

A. Nunes (left) will defend her second featherweight belt. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Considered by many to be the best fighter of all time, Amanda nunes will have her first fight since becoming a mother. Undefeated for more than six years and a living legend of women's MMA, the Bahian has a new defense of her featherweight title (up to 65,7kg).

This weekend, a new dangerous duel for the Brazilian. In the co-main fight, the champion will exchange forces against Megan anderson, specialist in stand-up fighting.

The commitment marks the 'Leoa's' second title defense in this category, of which she has been champion since December 2018, when she beat Chris Cyborg. Now, the athlete will need to beat another level rival to show that she is, in fact, the best MMA athlete currently active.

To have her arm raised in the end, the Brazilian, however, must act intelligently, avoiding the heavy hands of an opponent who is famous for her knockout power. The Bahian, then, must make her experience prevail, as the combatant has not lost a professional fight in 11 duels.

3) Petr Yan seeks to establish himself in history

P. Yan (left) tries to stay at the top of the bantamweight division. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Just like Blachowicz, Petr yan will also debut in the octagon as UFC champion. Bantamweight leader since July 2020, when he beat José Aldo, the Russian will have a new major challenge.

After months of provocations via the press and social media, the category leader will put his title on the line against the current number one in the group's ranking, aljamain sterling.

Known for his excellent boxing, Yan will face a battle of styles. While the Russian is a reference in stand-up fighting, Sterling is a specialist in grappling.

During the week of the event, the challenger made it clear that his strategy for the dispute will be to take the champion to the ground. It remains to be seen whether, at the time of the fight, Aljamain will fulfill his promise.

Despite his opponent having made his strategy public, Petr was not nervous about the possibility. The Russian warned that he will beat his rival in any situation the fight takes place.

4) Thiago Marreta and redemption

T. Marreta is coming off two consecutive losses in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Brazilian Xodó in light heavyweight, Thiago Marreta is back. After being defeated by Glover Teixeira In the fight that marked his return to the Octagon after more than a year of inactivity (due to injuries), the Tupiniquim will have another opportunity to recover.

Known as one of the men who came closest to winning Jon Jones (in 2019), Marreta will try to get back on track towards a new title fight. To do this, the combatant will have to win Aleksandar rakic in the duel that opens the main card.

Coming off two consecutive defeats (one of them to Jones), Thiago needs to prove that he is 100% recovered from the serious knee injuries he suffered when he faced the former champion. Against Glover, the Brazilian had good moments, but ended up succumbing to his compatriot's sharp jiu-jitsu.

This Saturday, Marreta should be subjected to a frank striking duel, as Rakic is also famous for his knockout power. The winner of the fight should be in great condition to fight for the title in the near future.

5) Preliminary card of respect

D. Cruz (left) takes part in the fight that closes the preliminary card. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

To heat up the atmosphere for the night's main fights, the UFC 259 will feature a gala preliminary card. In the first half of the show, 10 fights are scheduled, one of them, a Brazilian confrontation.

In the third clash of the night, Livinha Souza e Amanda lemos will exchange forces in a fight promoted at strawweight (up to 52,1kg.). While Souza tries to progress into the top 15 of the category led by Weili Zhang, Lemos seeks to reach the elite of the division and, to do so, he needs to beat his compatriot.

The third Brazilian to climb into the Octagon on the show will be Rogerio Bontorin. Standing out in the flyweight category (up to 56,7kg), the fighter will face off against Kai Kara France. The top 10 athletes need to win to be part of the group that seeks to challenge the champion, Deiveson Figueiredo.

Victim of Deiveson, the veteran Joseph Benavidez returns to active duty for the fight that could seal his career in MMA. Run over by Figueiredo twice in 2020 (one of which won the Brazilian the belt), the North American will face Askar askarov. When he was beaten by the 'God of War', Benavidez made it public that he will retire when he wins his next appointment.

Closing the preliminary card, a former champion. One of the biggest names in bantamweight history, Dominick Cruz will present itself after the harsh defeat suffered by Henry Cejudo, in May of last season. The fighter will face Casey Kanney and will try to return to the spotlight for a new fight for the title.