K. Chimaev (left) and G. Durinho (right) starred in 'war' in UFC 273. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The first half of 2022 has come to an end and so far, the season has delivered great and unforgettable fights to MMA fans from all over the world. To remember the best that happened in sport in the first half of the year, the team from SUPER FIGHTS came together to choose the five best fights of that period. Check out the list:
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1 – Gilbert Durinho x Khamzat Chimaev – UFC 273
Despite featuring two title fights, the most anticipated fight on the star's card UFC 273 was the confrontation between the rising star Khamzat Shimaev and the former welterweight challenger (up to 77,1kg), Gilbert Durinho. The Swede had been haunting the division by winning his four previous duels without practically being touched and finding it difficult to find any opponent willing to face him.
Inside the octagon, Chimaev for the first time met a high-caliber opponent and didn't have the ease of previous duels. Durinho showed the Swede why he is considered one of the best athletes in the entire division and delivered 15 minutes of true 'war' to his rival. In the end, Khamzat's victory in the unanimous decision of the judges and victory for MMA fans who follow this electrifying duel.
2 – Charles do Bronx x Justin Gaethje – UFC 274
The duel against Justin gaethje was scheduled to be the Brazilian's second title defense Charles of the Bronx, however, the then lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg) did not count on an unpleasant surprise. Due to a problem with the organization's official scale, the Tupiniquim athlete was 220g above the division's weight limit and had his belt taken away even before the fight against the North American.
In the octagon, Charles ignored the entire situation but had a hard time at the beginning of the round. Gaethje dealt two knockdowns to the São Paulo athlete and left the Brazilian fans apprehensive. With just over two minutes remaining in the first half, Do Bronx connected with a cross that knocked Justin down. The Brazilian athlete took his rival's back and locked him in a rear naked choke. All that was left for the North American was to give up. For Charles, the title of 'champion without a belt' remained.
3 – Glover Teixeira x Jiri Prochazka – UFC 275
G. Teixeira (left) was surpassed by J. Prochazka (right) in the UFC 275. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In his first defense of the light heavyweight belt (up to 93kg), Glover Teixeira would find an indigestible challenger: the Czech Jiri Prochazka who had been on a meteoric rise in the organization and, with just two fights, reached his dream title fight. The long-awaited clash would take place in UFC 275, held in Singapore (SIN).
Despite being considered an underdog in the bookmakers, Glover gave the challenger a tough fight and was considered the winner on the judges' scorecards, until then. However, in the final minute, the Brazilian was punishing Prochazka with ground and pound when the Czech 'exploded' and managed to get behind the Brazilian's back and land a rear naked choke. All that was left for the Minas Gerais native was to give up and see his dream of remaining light heavyweight champion crumble with 28 seconds left before the bell sounded.
4- Brandon Moreno x Deiveson Figueiredo – UFC 270
D. Figueiredo and B. Moreno faced each other in three consecutive fights. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Deiveson Figueiredo e Brandon Moreno In recent months, they have been involved in an unprecedented situation in Ultimate: For the first time in history, two athletes had a consecutive trilogy, that is: they faced each other three times in a row, all duels, valid for the flyweight belt (up to 56,7kg). And the co-main fight of UFC 270 was surrounded by controversies and provocations behind the scenes.
In the octagon, Moreno arrived as the favorite after achieving a victory and a draw against Deiveson in previous duels. For the trilogy, the Brazilian prepared at the Henry Cejudo, former bantamweight (up to 61,2kg) and flyweight champion. In a confrontation full of tension, the Tupiniquim athlete took advantage of some knockdowns in decisive moments and emerged victorious in the unanimous decision of the judges. Deiveson once again reigned in the under-56,7kg division.
5 – Alex Poatan x Bruno Blindado – UFC Las Vegas 50
A. Poatan and B. Blindado fought a real battle in the ufc vegas 50. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Prospects from the middleweight division (up to 83,9kg), Alex Poatán e Bruno Blindado were placed face to face to open the main card of the ufc vegas 50. Inside the octagon, there was tension in the fight between the two Brazilians and what we saw was a show of striking and a real war during the scheduled 15 minutes. At the end of the three rounds, the former Glory champion was declared the winner with a unanimous decision by the judges and continued his journey keeping an eye on the champion Israel adesanya.
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