William Patolino and Leo Santos make the TUF Brasil 2 final

Patolino (photo) and L. Santos make the final of TUF Brasil 2. Photo: Disclosure / UFC

the cariocas William Patolino e Leo Santos They are the finalists of the second edition of TUF Brasil. In the 12th and final episode of this season, Daffy defeated Viscardi Andrade, while Leo was surpassed by Santiago Ponzinibbio, but as the Argentine suffered a broken hand during the semi-final and will not be able to fight, Santos gained the opportunity to compete in the decision. With the result this Sunday (02) Rodrigo Minotauro gets two athletes in the final of the reality show and wins the personal challenge with Fabricio Werdum.

The program

Before the semi-final fights were announced, UFC president Dana White asked to speak to the coaches about how they would like the fights to be formed. Werdum suggested a duel between Viscardi Andrade e William Patolino. In turn, Minotauro enjoyed the confrontation.

Then the manager asked who the coaches considered the best fighter in the house. Werdum was emphatic and praised the only representative of his team: “I think Viscardi”, said Fabrício. Dana quickly retorted: “Because I thought you were going to say that,” he joked. Minotauro, who had three athletes in the running, opted for the Argentine Santiago Ponzinibbio.

In addition to speaking with the coaches, Dana White also heard from the semifinalists about which opponent they would like to face. As expected, the three fighters on the team Rodrigo Minotauro asked to measure strength Viscardi Andrade, sole representative of the Werdum team. Viscardi once again asked for a fight against Patolino.

After the fighters' opinions, the semi-finals were announced. As expected, Viscardi Andrade vs. William Patolino e Leo Santos before Santiago Ponzinibbio were the chosen duels.

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Leo Santos

Teammates Rodrigo Minotauro throughout the program, Santiago Ponzinibbio e Leo Santos They played a balanced duel in the first semi-final of the night. Known for his jiu-jitsu skills, Leo showed good progress in stand-up fighting and started surprising Santiago.

With greater reach, the Rio athlete landed good punches on the Argentine, who was moving forward trying to close the distance. Leo came to a knockdown with an overhand right, but Santiago recovered well and came back with everything to compete. Santos managed to take the fight to the ground in the first round, but Ponzinibbio quickly got up.

In the final half of the first half, Santiago already controlled the distance and landed the best blows, however, Leo responded to his rival's attacks with straight blows.

In the second round, Ponzinibbio controlled his actions better and dodged Santos' attacks. The Argentine fighter also avoided takedowns from his rival who already appeared tired.

In the third round, Santiago started better, landing more blows in his striking. However, Leo managed a takedown and came out on top in the fight. Ponzinibbio still managed to get up, but was taken to the ground again and Santos finished the fight mounted.

After 15 minutes of intense battle,Santiago Ponzinibbio He won the unanimous decision of the judges and secured the first place in the final of TUF Brasil 2.

“First Argentine TUF champion, then first Argentine UFC champion. Argentina and Brazil: 'We're together' and mixed”, said Santiago.

However, the big surprise came at the end of the program. The episode's edition reported that Santiago's hand injury was serious and Leo Sanos was chosen to advance to the finals of the reality show.

William Patolino vs. Viscardi Andrade

Viscardi Andrade e William Patolino They fought a real battle for the last place in the final. The duel began carefully, but Patolino soon took the initiative and landed a good combination of punches on his rival. In turn, Viscardi spun around the octagon and entered the range of action only to unleash his powerful right blow.

Halfway through the round, team representative Werdum connected with a powerful cross and knocked William down. However, the athlete from the Minotauro team got up quickly and avoided being hit on the ground. Recovering from the scare, Patolino landed a good punch that opened a cut near his opponent's eye. At the end of the partial, Andrade still managed to take the fight to the ground and finish the round on top.

In the second round, the Rio athlete grew in the dispute. Exuding confidence, Patolino lowered his guard, spun and connected the best blows. Viscardi even landed another good right blow, which made his opponent wobble, but he was unable to continue the attack.

With the duel balanced, the third round would be responsible for defining the owner of the last place in the final of TUF Brasil 2. And, appearing better physically prepared, William Patolino he was the one who guaranteed the right to compete for the UFC contract.

Viscardi even had the best moment at the beginning, when he landed a good combination of blows, but Patolino complained about an illegal blow and the dispute was stopped. Fabricio Werdum, believing it to be a catimba from his rival, complained about referee Mário Yamazaki's decision.

But as soon as the fight resumed, Patolino ended the dispute. He landed a right cross and took Andrade to the ground. Without wasting time, he connected several punches from above and forced the fight to be stopped by technical knockout.

Thrilled with the victory, Patolino went to the place where the athletes from the Werdum team were and hugged Márcio Pedra, his teammate outside the program. “It was supposed to be you and me in this final, man,” said William, who also pocketed R$15 as a prize for the victory offered by the coach. Rodrigo Minotauro. In turn, the coach did not leave empty-handed. For having guaranteed two athletes in the final of TUF Brasil 2, Minotauro won a car from the program's sponsor.

The big decision of TUF Brasil 2 takes place next Saturday (08), in Fortaleza, where William Patolino measures strength against Leo Santos. The main attraction of the card will be a duel between coaches Fabricio Werdum e Rodrigo Minotauro.