To cheer up Aljamain Sterling; Remember champions who entered as underdogs in belt defenses

A. Sterling is the current UFC bantamweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Petr Yan's superiority over Aljamain Sterling until the moment of the controversial outcome, made the bantamweight champion seen as an underdog for the rematch in UFC 273, which will take place next Saturday (09). To give a 'light cheer' to the owner of the linear belt of roosters (up to 61,2kg), the SUPER FIGHTS remembers some champions who entered the Octagon as underdogs, but maintained their reign in the category.

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UFC 262 – Charles do Bronx x Dustin Porier

C. Do Bronx defeated D. Poirier in the UFC 269. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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Even though he is the current lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg), Charles of the Bronx entered as an underdog (R$2,40) for his first title defense against Dustin poirier (R$1,58), which was backed by two victories against Conor McGregor. After suffering a big scare in the first round, the Chute Boxe athlete managed to get back into the fight and found a beautiful rear naked choke to win the fight and consolidate his reign.

UFC 259 – Jan Blachowicz x Israel Adesanya

I. Adesanya (right) was defeated by J. Blachowicz in the UFC 259. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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Then light heavyweight champion (up to 93kg), Jan Blachowicz welcomed the middleweight leader (up to 83,9kg) Israel adesanya, who dreamed of his second Ultimate belt. Considered a huge underdog in betting houses, Jan Blachowicz (R$2,90) used his weight, more accustomed to the division, and his wrestling to dominate the Nigerian and remain number one in the division.

UFC 252 – Stipe Miocic x Daniel Cormier 3

S. Miocic (left) confirmed the heavyweight title against D. Cormier in the UFC 252. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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With a victory for each side, the third duel between Stipe Miocic e Daniel Cormier stirred the spirits of MMA fans. Even though he is the current heavyweight champion (up to 120,2kg), the firefighter from Cleveland, Ohio (USA) was not considered a favorite at the bookmakers (R$.190 x R$1,80). However, in the main fight of the UFC 252, the then category leader showed superiority and defeated 'DC' in a unanimous decision by the judges.

UFC 207 – Amanda Nunes vs Ronda Rousey

Amanda ran over Ronda in just 48 seconds Photo: Disclosure/UFC

The main fight of UFC 207 marked the return of Ronda Rousey to the octagon since the crushing defeat suffered by Holly holm, just over a year earlier. Irritated by the exaggerated favoritism (R$2,15 x R$1,62) given to the former bantamweight champion (under 61,2kg), the 'Lione' needed just 48 seconds to knock out the 'pioneer' of women's MMA in Ultimate and send her into retirement.

UFC 189 – Robbie Lawler x Rory MacDonald 2

R. Lawler x R. MacDonald had a bloody 'war' at UFC 189 Photo: Disclosure/UFC

Last but not least, SUPER FIGHTS remembers what was, for many, one of the best fights in the history of MMA. At UFC 189, in July 2015, Lawler entered as an underdog (R$2,20) for his first defense of the welterweight belt (under 77,1kg). Before the pupil of Georges St-Pierre, Rory McDonald, the category champion fought an intense and bloody war and managed to emerge victorious after a knockout in the fifth round, against a Rory disfigured after receiving so many blows.

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