Borrachinha is aggressive again, but succumbs to Vettori and loses the second consecutive time in the UFC

P. Borrachinha (left) was defeated by M. Vettori (right) in the UFC Las Vegas 41. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The rivalry was worth it. After a week of provocations and controversies involving weight cutting, Paulo borrachinha e Marvin vettori delivered a real show in the main fight of the UFC Las Vegas 41. For 25 minutes, the athletes sought the knockout and excited the audience at Apex. After five well-fought rounds, the Italian took advantage and emerged victorious in the judges' unanimous decision.

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After introducing the 'old Borrachinha' to Ultimate, the Brazilian tried, but didn't do enough to overcome his rival. With powerful blows, but inferior to his opponent, the athlete, who had a point taken away during the confrontation, ended up losing the second in a row and was removed from a new title fight.

Paulo's rival over the weekend, Marvin had a great performance and managed to withstand good blows from his opponent. Victorious, the athlete managed to leave behind his weight disadvantage – as the match was changed to light heavyweight (up to 93kg) due to a mistake by the Minas Gerais native – and put himself, once again, in conditions for a future fight for the title. .

The stumble against Vettori marked the second setback in the Brazilian's career. The Italian, in turn, recovered from the defeat suffered by the middleweight champion (up to 83,9kg.), Israel adesanya, and recorded the 18th triumph in his MMA career.

The fight

The confrontation began with Borrachinha taking the initiative with a low kick. Vettori responded with a high kick, which went empty. The Brazilian once again undermined the Italian's base, who couldn't find the Brazilian in the initial moments. Paulo kicked again, but lost his balance. Marvin tried to take advantage and attacked the miner. The Italian tried to press the Tupiniquim against the bars, but Paulo managed to move away. The Italian connected a good sequence of jab and straight to the Brazilian's face, who responded with a jab. The Minas Gerais native continued to bet on kicks to the Italian's waistline, who continued walking forward. Borrachinha remained aggressive, but Vettori showed danger with counterattacks. After three minutes, Marvin started to press the Brazilian against the bars with combinations of punches. The miner did not launch any blows and managed to walk away. In the final minute, the duel continued to be busy, with both fighters looking for a knockout. Towards the end of the stage, the fighters continued exchanging blows in the center of the Octagon, but there was no more time.

In the second stage, the Italian was the first to attack, with a sequence of jabs. The Brazilian responded with a kick to the waistline. Vettori continued 'chasing' the miner around the octagon and continued scoring. Paulo managed to break through his opponent's guard with a direct shot and then rocked his rival with a high kick. In a good moment, Borrachinha went up and tried to end the duel. Marvin tried to recover, but he was still in danger with counterattacks. The Italian once again imposed his pace, but his attacks were not as hard-hitting as they were at the beginning of the round. Paulo again used good combinations and forced his opponent to move backwards. With around two minutes left until the end of the round, Marvin went into a grappling fight and managed to take down the miner. Borrachinha got up quickly and the dispute was momentarily interrupted after a finger to the eye applied by the Brazilian. For this action, Paulo ended up penalized with one point. On the return, Vettori landed a cross on the Minas Gerais player's face, who responded with a low kick. The Brazilian attacked his opponent with a series of high kicks, which exploded in the Italian's guard. Marvin continued to absorb the attacks well and, in the final minute, he began to pressure the Brazilian with punches close to the bars. Just like in the first stage, the assault ended with the protagonists combining attacks in the center of the octagon.

The third round began with the Brazilian insisting on the high kick. Marvin hit from a distance and dodged the miner's attacks. Vettori started to press the Brazilian against the bars and threw punches at the Tupiniquim's body. After almost two minutes, the Italian landed a clean right on the Brazilian's face, but Paulo responded in kind, but in the belt line. With two minutes left until the end of the stage, the combatants continued to be excited and the confrontation remained tense. After attacks from both parties, Paulo surprised and took Marvin to the ground. The Brazilian threatened a guillotine, but the Italian managed to escape and reversed the position. On top, Vettori tried to advance in positions, but the Minas Gerais native tried to stop the confrontation. The stage ended with Marvin on top, but without much action.

In the penultimate round, Vettori scored with jabs, but Borrachinha responded with a kick to the waist. The Italian walked forward and, in the clinch, started to press the miner against the bars. Borrachinha landed a clean left cross on Marvin's face, but his rival was unfazed. The athletes began to exchange blows at close range and continued in search of the knockout. The duel continued 'back and forth'. No attack went unanswered. With two minutes left in the round, Vettori landed a clean right on the Minas Gerais' face, but Borrachinha provoked him, not accusing the attack. In the final seconds, the Italian attempted a takedown, but the Minas Gerais native defended well. The stage ended with Vettori connecting a kick to the Minas Gerais player's waistline.

The decisive round began with Borrachinha connecting with a straight shot to the Italian's face. Marvin countered with a series of jabs. The Brazilian tried to surprise his opponent, but the Italian continued to move forward. After a minute, Paulo rocked the Italian with a series of hooks to the waist and crosses. In a bad moment, the Italian started a grappling fight and tried to take the Brazilian to the ground. Pressed against the bars, the Brazilian defended himself and managed to get away. The Tupiniquim remained aggressive and looked for the knockout. Marvin had the worst of the standup and didn't show the same momentum as in the initial rounds. The Italian once again looked for the Brazilian's legs, who, against the bars, was defending himself. Paulo moved away again and continued attacking his rival with kicks, jabs and direct strikes. The Minas Gerais player continued to grow in the last round and tried to end the fight. In the final seconds, the athletes continued exchanging blows. Marvin tried another takedown again, but the Brazilian's takedown defense was up to scratch. The duel ended with the athletes in the clinch.

UFC Las Vegas 41 results

MAIN CARD

Light Heavyweight: Marvin vettori derrotou Paulo borrachinha in the unanimous decision of the judges (48-46, 48-46, 48-46]

Lightweight: Grant dawson e Ricky Glenn tied in the judges' majority decision (29-28, 28-28, 28-28)

Bantamweight: Jessica Rose Clark defeated Joselyne Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Feather weight: Alex Caceres finished seung woo choi with a rear naked choke at 3m31s of R2

Welterweight Weight: Francisco Massaranduba derrotou Dwight Grant in the unanimous decision of the judges (27-29, 29-27, 29-27)

Light heavyweight: Nick Negumereanu defeated Ike Villanueva via TKO (punches) at 1:18 of R1

PRELIMINARY CARD

Average weight: gregory rodrigues defeated Ju Yong Park by technical knockout (punches) at 3:13 of R2

Lightweight: Mason Jones defeated david onama in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Straw weight: Tabatha Ricci derrotou Mary Oliveira in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Average weight: Jamie Pickett derrotou Laureano Staropoli in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Lightweight: Jai Herbert derrotou Khama Worthy by technical knockout at 2:47 of R1

Fly weight: Jeff Molina derrotou Daniel Miojo by technical knockout (punches) at 0:46 of R2

Straw weight: Randa markos derrotou Livinha Souza in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Bantamweight: Jonathan martinez defeated Zviad Lazishvilli via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)