C. Weidman and A. Silva starred in the UFC 268 Photo: Disclosure/UFC
O UFC Las Vegas 45 this Saturday (18), will mark the end of the Ultimate fighting season. If the card, this time, is not the most star-studded, over the years the organization has already scheduled great duels for its last event. To begin the farewell to 2021, the SUPER FIGHTS took a look back and recalled some of the historic shows that ended the company's year.
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1- UFC 168 – 28/12/2013
After seven years of reign in the middleweight division (up to 83,9kg), Anderson Silva was dethroned by the young man Chris Weidman in July 2016. Just over five months after the merciless knockout, the 'Spider' achieved his dream rematch against the North American. At the UFC 268, which took place on December 28th of that same year, the Brazilian had a difficult start and during the second half he tried a low kick at the 'All American' which was only saved. The Tupiniquim athlete fractured his shin at the same moment and was unable to put his foot on the ground, an injury that scared those who were watching the fight live. Anderson suffered the second setback in a row and would never challenge for the middleweight belt again.
In the co-main fight, the bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey made her second defense of the bantamweight belt (up to 61,2kg) against her rival Miesha Tate. After a preparation full of provocations between the two athletes, the champion maintained her reign by submitting the challenger with her traditional armbar in the third round and continuing with her then undefeated record of eight victories.
2 – UFC 207 – 30/12/2016
A. Nunes (right) hits R. Rousey (left) with a punch Photo: Facebook/UFC
The main fight of UFC 207 marked the return of the legend Ronda Rousey to the octagon after the surprising defeat to Holly holm. Facing the North American was the new bantamweight champion Amanda nunes, who had taken possession of the belt a few months earlier. Upset at having been 'snubbed' throughout the week of the fight, the Brazilian entered the octagon angrily and knocked out the former judoka in less than a minute.
In the second most important fight of the night, Dominick Cruz he was making his first defense of the Roosters title after regaining the throne. In front of the 'Dominator' was the prospect cody garbrandt undefeated until then. With the bell ringing, the challenger shocked the world by putting on a show against the category leader for 25 minutes and winning the under-61,2kg division belt.
3 – UFC 92 – 27/12/2008
R. Minotauro and F. Mir faced each other at UFC 92 Photo: Disclosure/UFC
O MGM Grand Garden Arena, in Las Vegas (USA) hosted the last of the 2008 Ultimate season. The interim heavyweight champion (up to 120,2kg) was the Brazilian Rodrigo Minotauro, who would defend his provisional title against Frank mir at UFC 92. The Tupiniquim athlete wasn't having a great night and succumbed to the North American by knockout in the second round. It was the MMA legend's first defeat via the fast track in his career.
In the main fight of the event, the light heavyweight champion (up to 93kg) Forrest griffin in front of the then undefeated prospect Rashad evans. The champion of the second season of 'The Ultimate Fighter' reached the peak of his career by knocking out the division leader in the third round and assuming the reign at this weight range. The card also featured a fight between provocateurs Rampage jackson and Wanderlei Silva, which also ended with a knockout from the North American in the third round.
4 – UFC 66 – 30/12/2006
C. Liddell and T. Ortiz built a great rivalry in Ultimate Photo: UFC
Considered one of the greatest rivalries in the history of mixed martial arts, the duel between Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz had their second battle at UFC 66, which took place in December 2006. With yet another preparation surrounded by controversy and provocations, the outcome was very similar to the first confrontation. This time with the light heavyweight belt on the line, 'Iceman' didn't give him a chance 'bad boy' and won with a beautiful knockout in the third round.
5 – UFC 232 – 29/12/2018
Cyborg (Left) was beaten by Amanda (right) at UFC 232. Photo: Reproduction / YouTube @ufc
To close the 2018 season, Ultimate pitted two of the greatest athletes in the history of women's MMA face to face. In a fight valid for the featherweight belt (up to 65,7kg), the then champion Chris Cyborg measured forces against the leader of the roosters Amanda nunes. The 'Lione' was once again merciless, knocking out the veteran less than a minute into the fight and becoming the first female athlete in the organization's history to become champion of two categories.
In the main fight of the show, the long-awaited rematch between Jon Jones e Alexander Gustafson finally got off the ground. Inside the octagon, unlike the first fight, the confrontation didn't excite the fans as much. With a knockout in the third round, 'Bones' defeated the Swede again and remained the absolute light heavyweight champion.
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