Brazilian woman in first place: UFC and Bellator have Brazilian fighters as protagonists this weekend

J. Velasquez, C. Cyborg, A. Lemos and J. Bate-Estaca are protagonists this weekend (Photo: Montagem/SUPER FIGHTS)

Almost 50 years ago, in 1975, Benito di Paula immortalized the phrase “Brazilian woman in the first place”, with his song “Mulher Brasileira”. The Friborg singer's song serves perfectly to illustrate the MMA weekend promoted by Bellator and the UFC, with three events led by four Brazilian fighters, two of them defending belts.

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Over the next two days, the protagonists are: Juliana Velasquez, Chris Cyborg, Amanda lemos e Jessica Bate-estaca are responsible for the main fights at Bellator 278, on Friday (22), Bellator 279 e UFC Las Vegas 52, on Saturday (23).

Juliana Velasquez defends belt and unbeaten record at Bellator 278

The first event of the weekend has Juliana Velasquez as its main protagonist. In the main fight of Bellator 278, the fighter from Rio will face veteran Liz Carmouche to defend, in addition to the organization's flyweight belt (up to 56,7 kg), her unbeaten record in her career.

Judo black belt, Ju Velasquez has 12 fights and 12 wins in his professional MMA record. The 35-year-old has been with Bellator since 2017 and has already won seven fights in the organization's circular cage. After winning the belt with a victory over Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, in December 2020, the Rio native defended the title for the first time against Denise Kielholtz, in July last year.

Cris Cyborg looks to extend dominance in rematch against Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 279

C. Cyborg is the current Bellator featherweight champion (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram)

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For Juliana Velasquez to begin her career in MMA, it was necessary for someone before her to pave the way. This someone goes by the name of Cristiane Justino, Cyborg, who defends the featherweight title (up to 65,7 kg) on ​​Saturday (23), in the main fight of the Bellator 279, in a rematch against Arlene Blencowe.

A pioneer of the sport, Cyborg has been a professional since 2005 and impresses with her dominance and longevity. The Curitiba native arrived at Bellator in 2020, at the age of 34 and is undefeated in the organization, with four victories, all of them by interruption. Upon her debut, Cyborg became featherweight champion and successfully defended the title on three occasions.

Cyborg's first defense was against Arlene Blencowe, the Brazilian's opponent this Saturday. In October 2020, the Australian was no match for the champion, who finished the fight with a rear naked choke in the second round.

Amanda Lemos and Jéssica Bate-Estaca have a decisive duel at UFC Las Vegas 52

J. Bate-Estaca (left) faces A. Lemos (right) on April 23rd. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage

The protagonism of women this weekend is not limited to Bellator's circular cage. In the main fight of UFC Las Vegas 52, also on Saturday (23), Amanda lemos e Jessica Stacker enter the octagon for an important duel in the strawweight division (up to 52,1 kg).

Tenth placed in the division ranking, Amanda lemos arrives motivated by a great sequence of victories. After losing her debut in the organization in July 2017, the woman from Pará defeated the five opponents with whom she shared the octagon in the last three years and has been consolidating herself as a potential candidate to fight for the belt.

This belt once belonged to her opponent: Jessica Andrade, Bate-Estaca. First placed in the flyweight division (up to 56,7 kg), the woman from Paraná returns to the division of which she was champion in 2019 to try, perhaps, a new path towards regaining the title.

O SUPER FIGHTS will provide LIVE and REAL-TIME coverage of Bellator 278, Bellator 279 and UFC Las Vegas 52.