T. Marreta poses for a photo before the UFC Las Vegas 59 (Photo: Instagram/@ufc)
Despite the difficult moment he is experiencing in his career, the Rio native Thiago Marreta He has already collected great stories in his almost 10 years as an Ultimate contractor. The Brazilian fighter has already competed for the light heavyweight belt (up to 93kg) against the legend Jon Jones and also knocked out 10 opponents inside the most famous octagon in the world. As a warm-up for UFC Las Vegas 59, the SUPER FIGHTS recalls some of the Tupiniquim athlete's best moments in the organization.
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The first victory
T. Marreta knocks out R. Markes at UFC 163 (Photo: Disclosure/UFC)
Defeated by Cézar Mutante in the final of the second edition of the reality show ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, Thiago Marreta He entered the UFC Natal octagon under pressure to face the then favorite Ronny Markes. Meanwhile, the Rio native from Cidade de Deus needed just 53 seconds to beat his opponent and ‘break the bank’. Still in the opening seconds, Marreta kicked Ronny in the ribs, who fell in pain. The former PQD exploded on his rival and after a rain of blows, the referee interrupted the confrontation and declared Thiago's victory.
The first positive sequence
T. Marreta knocks out N.Marquardt at UFC 198 (Photo: Disclosure/UFC)
Fueled by three consecutive victories in the organization, Thiago Marreta was selected for the star-studded UFC 198 card, in Curitiba, against veteran Nate Marquardt. Still in the first round, the Brazilian blitzed the North American and landed a sequence of blows that knocked his rival down. The Tupiniquim athlete didn't even need to apply any more blows, as the referee arrived to end the confrontation.
After the victory over Nate, Marreta suffered two consecutive setbacks and was once again at risk in the organization. However, the Brazilian managed to recover again and managed another four consecutive victories. After once again aiming for the elite of the middleweight division, his weight category until then, the Brazilian athlete was stopped by fellow veteran David Branch, with a knockout in the first round.
On the way to a title fight
Marreta (right) beat Blachowicz (left) at UFC Prague. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook @ufc
after winning Kevin holland In April 2018, Marreta decided to move up to the light heavyweight division (up to 93kg). In the new weight range, the Brazilian beat Erik Anders and Jimi Manuwa. Given the scorched earth scenario that Jon Jones left the category, the Tupiniquim athlete faced the Polish Jan Blachowicz in the main fight of UFC Prague, in February 2019.
In a balanced duel until the third round, Blachowicz tried to explode at Marreta, who managed to dodge and landed a powerful left cross that led to the Pole's knockdown. With Jan down, Thiago still landed an intense 'rain' of blows, until referee Herb Dean interrupted. With the knockout triumph, the Rio fighter established himself as the next challenger to the then absolute champion Jon Jones.
Despite the good moments he had in the organization, Marreta is going through a delicate moment in Ultimate, with four defeats in his last five fights. At the UFC Las Vegas 59, which takes place next Saturday (06), the Tupiniquim athlete will face the North American Jamahal hill, in the main fight of the event.
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