A. Nunes (photo) became the first Brazilian woman to achieve a victory in the UFC. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
As has become customary at Ultimate events in Brazil, practically all fights at UFC Rio 4 featured duels between Brazilians and foreigners. And in the preliminary card of the event, which also featured a clash between compatriots, the home athletes had the advantage. One of the highlights was the first victory of a Brazilian in the main MMA organization on the planet, achieved by Amanada Nunes from Bahia.
Amanda beat German Sheila Gaff, tenth placed in the ranking of fighters in the women's bantamweight category, in the penultimate fight of the preliminary card. The Brazilian won by technical knockout in the first round, after a series of elbows applied to her opponent on the ground. The Lioness, as she is known, already occupies seventh place in the division and should rise in the next update of the official list.
Iliarde and Pezão are defeated
Brazil's first defeat at the event came in the bantamweight division Iliarde Santos, who had his first fight in the new division. Iliarde faced third place in the Ultimate rankings and semifinalist in the GP for the inaugural belt in the category Ian McCall. The athletes had a very busy fight, but apparently they did not feel tired at the end of the three rounds. McCall began a series of push-ups while still in the octagon and was promptly joined by the Brazilian. Despite showing willingness, Iliarde ended up suffering his second consecutive setback.
In the last fight of the preliminary card, Vinny “Pezão” Magalhães was surprised by veteran Anthony Perosh. Right at the beginning of the fight, the Australian landed a beautiful right cross that touched Pezão's chin and took the Brazilian to the ground. Perosh still went to the ground and pound and landed a few blows on his opponent before the fight was stopped after just 14 seconds.
Serginho finishes with property
Finalist of the first edition of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil, Serginho Moraes did not take notice of the North American Neil Magny and managed to win via submission in the first round. The jiu-jitsu world champion took just a few minutes to make use of his experience in grappling and, after landing a great takedown on his opponent, he ended the fight with a triangle choke.
Still in the octagon, Serginho joked about the position in which he ended the fight. “That position, I actually usually teach it in private classes, in person. Anyone who wants to is invited… Lie”, said the São Paulo native, as usual, smiling.
Opening has a flash victory for Viscardi
In the first fight of the night, the TUF Brasil 2 participant Viscardi Andrade he needed just over a minute to achieve his first UFC victory. Fighting very aggressively, Viscardi hit the North American Bristol Marounde with a powerful right hand and after his opponent fell, he connected a few more good blows to put an end to the fight.
The second fight of the night was less busy than the opening and did not please the audience at the HSBC Arena, who risked some booing before the official announcement. Newcomer Francismar Bodão started nervously, but ended up winning by unanimous decision from the judges over Ednaldo Lula – who is now experiencing a complicated situation in Ultimate, with two defeats in two fights for the organization.
With three wins in four UFC fights, the jiu-jitsu champion Rani Yaya He then entered the Octagon to face American Josh Clopton. Seeking the submission from the start of the fight, the Brazilian dominated the first two rounds, but was unable to decide the fight on the ground. Even with Clapton performing better in the third round, the three judges gave Yahya the victory by 29-28.
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