D. Cormier (left) and J. Jones (right) facing off for a fight in 2016.
Photo: Reproduction/YouTube ufc
For those who love title fights, follow this special until the end. In honor of the UFC 270, which promotes, this Saturday (22), the historic fight between Francis Ngannou e Cyryl Gane for the unification of the heavyweight title (up to 120,2 kg.), we ask: when did Ultimate select athletes at their peak, with undefeated streaks, for title fights?
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This weekend, Ngannou and Gane will share the octagon for the absolute top spot in the 120,2kg category. The confrontation, however, is surrounded by expectation, as the main stars of the show are going through great phases in their careers and are measuring their strength for the status of 'Most Feared Man in MMA'.
On one side, Ngannou, with his extraordinary strength and who reached the trope after brutally running over Stipe Miocic, for many the best heavyweight of all time. On the other, Gane, with a short career but meteoric rise, known for being strategic and abusing technique.
Scenarios like the UFC 270 They are not rare, but finding a specific confrontation in which the main stars were undefeated and 'on their toes' may not be the easiest task. Thus, the SUPER LUTAS team selected six historical moments, in which the protagonists were going through great times, generating engagement for the challenges. Check out:
1) Rashad Evans x Lyoto Machida (2009)
L. Machida defeated R. Evans at UFC 98. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube ufc
More than 10 years ago, MMA fans were able to watch a fight for the Ultimate light heavyweight belt that made history. In the octagon, two undefeated athletes known for their technical quality.
at the time, Rashad evans he owned the division belt. With an aggressive style, the North American didn't know the taste of defeat in 14 commitments as an MMA professional.
Feared at that moment, Evans had just won the title by running over Forrest griffin. The combatant, however, ended up clashing head-on with Lyoto Machida in his first title defense.
A counterpuncher and precise, Machida was having his sixth fight with Ultimate gloves. The Brazilian took on the role of challenger after the massacre against his compatriot Thiago Silva. At that moment, the 'Dragon' had an undefeated streak of 16 fights, which extended into his first UFC title fight.
Against Rashad, Lyoto didn't need 25 minutes of confrontation. At UFC 98, the Tupiniquim staged a new attack in front of the spectators. With the hard-fought victory, Machida ended up putting an end to his opponent's unbeaten run.
2) Velasquez x Cigano I (2011)
J. Cigano defeated C. Velasquez in 2011. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube UFC
Considered by many to be one of the best heavyweights in UFC history, Cain Velazquez He was enjoying his glory in MMA in the early 2010s. Complete, the fighter was forceful and didn't give his rivals a chance when the octagon closed.
North American with Mexican roots, Cain built most of his career working for Ultimate. In the company, the fighter reached the title in the historic victory over Brock Lesnar, in 2010. Undefeated in MMA in nine appearances, the athlete would come up against a 'such junior gypsy'.
Specialist in boxing and deadly with his fists, junior gypsy He was a true striking phenomenon in his early days within the UFC. With the ability to stun opponents with unique blows, the Brazilian faced off again until he qualified to fight for the title, at the time of Velasquez.
For many, this confrontation marked one of the biggest 'marriages' of fights in the company's history. In both corners, fighters who had never lost for the organization and were in their prime.
In the fight, Velasquez ended up suffering a big surprise. After a studied start to the confrontation, the North American felt the power of the Santa Catarina native's fist after just over a minute. With a clean overhand to the head, Cigano made Cain collapse and, as a result, he was declared the new champion of the division.
3) Anderson Silva x Chris Weidman I (2013)
A. Silva (left) in a knockout suffered by C. Weidman (right), in 2013. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @chrisweidman
One of the best MMA fighters of all time, Anderson Silva no comments. Sports legend and UFC's main star in the 2000s, the Brazilian had all the attractions to be a great idol in the sport.
Anderson went through many weight challenges in his career in Ultimate, but it was in 2013 that the São Paulo native, who was the 'king of the middleweights' (up to 83,9kg.) ended up meeting one of his biggest opponents: Chris Weidman.
Little known to less fanatics, Weidman challenged Silva in 2013. That year would remain etched in the memory of millions of sports fans around the world.
An underdog in the bookmakers, the then young man arrived for the clash undefeated in 11 professional fights. For many, the athlete would not have the necessary skills to beat someone who, since 2006, had been collecting victims in the Octagon.
To the surprise of many, Weidman made history and with a hard knockout, ended an undefeated run of 16 performances of 'Spider' in the company. To this day, Anderson is the owner of the brand and has not yet been surpassed.
4) Jones x Cormier I (2015)
In this topic, we will not only talk about two of the best MMA representatives of all time, but also one of the biggest rivalries in the sport.
Light heavyweight legends (up to 93kg.), Jon Jones e Daniel Cormier They presented fans with a mega promotion including aggression outside the Octagon, insults and threats. The moment of truth, then, happened in January 2015.
For many, Jon Jones He is the most complete athlete who has ever performed under MMA rules. Technical, with great physical shape and intimidating, the North American was unanimous when it came to talent.
With only one defeat in his record, the same being due to disqualification, in 2009, 'Bones' built a legacy in light heavyweight that, today, is difficult to beat. From the only setback to the challenge against Cormier, Jon competed in 11 fights, winning the belt (2011) and going through names like Mauritius Shogun, Quinton jackson, Lyoto Machida, Vitor belfort, Chael Sonnen e Glover Teixeira.
On the other side of the octagon was an Olympic athlete. Famous for his excellent wrestling and with a Strikeforce belt on his resume, Cormier arrived at the UFC undefeated and soon went head to head. Until he arrived at Jones, the fighter had fought 15 battles, winning every time.
In the fight, held on January 3, 2015, the athletes met the fans' expectations. Aggressive and seeking victory at all costs, the fighters fought for 25 minutes. After five rounds, Jon was declared the winner with a unanimous decision by the judges.
5) Aldo x McGregor (2015)
J. Aldo (right) and Conor (left) faced each other in 2015. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @ConorMcGregor
Brazilian MMA fans hardly forget the fateful December 12, 2015. In anticipation of UFC 194, spectators gathered to watch the long-awaited reckoning between José Aldo e Conor McGregor.
The Brazilian, considered by many to be the best featherweight (up to 65,7 kg) in history, climbed into the octagon to silence the provocative Irishman, who was tracing an impeccable trajectory within Ultimate. Aldo was already an established star in the organization and was preparing for another defense of his throne, assumed in 2011.
The fight marked the meeting between José, lineal champion, and McGregor, owner of the interim title. As with Francis Ngannou e Cyryl Gane This weekend, the clash would define the absolute leader of the group.
A complete athlete, Aldo arrived for the clash with a streak of almost 20 consecutive victories and undefeated in Ultimate. Executioner of names like Frankie Edgar, Chad Mendes and Uriah Faber, the 'People's Champion' ended up not supporting the precision of the 'Notorious'.
Legend of the sport, Conor would, against Aldo, give the starting point towards achieving a stardom that will be difficult to beat in MMA, when it comes to finances. At that time, the Irishman had beaten six rivals in a row and, now in good spirits, got the right to challenge the manauara.
In the confrontation, little to say. McGregor ended up shocking the world and knocking out the Brazilian in just 13 seconds with a singular blow.
6) Adesanya x Borrachinha (2020)
P. Borrachinha (right) and I. Adesanya (left) faced each other in the UFC 253. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @ufcespañol
From 2015, we will jump to 2020, when the middleweight once again gave fans a great rivalry and, once again, involving a Brazilian.
Then undefeated in his mixed martial arts career, Israel adesanya has been building his legacy in the category that, for years, belonged to his idol, Anderson Silva. Technical, versatile and strategic, the Nigerian reached the absolute top of the group when he overcame Robert whittakerIn 2019.
Running on the outside was a Brazilian who was massacring his opponents in the octagon. Paulo borrachinha, with his strength and resistance, reached a title fight after five consecutive victories in Ultimate and 13 in his career. Before sharing the octagon with Israel, the miner had gone through a real battle against Yoel romero.
To attract Adesanya's attention, Borrachinha used several tricks, such as ironizing the group champion's physical shape. Attention gained, Israel understood that it was time to face the Tupiniquim and the duel took place in September 2020, on 'Ilha da Luta'.
Borrachinha's fans ended up not seeing a great performance from their idol. Paulo was unable to repeat the good performances that led him to become a challenger and the Minas Gerais native ended up being knocked out in the second round, after a fatal counterattack from the Nigerian.
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