T. Marreta (photo) stands out in the UFC light heavyweight division. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook @ufc
Former challenger for the light heavyweight belt (up to 93kg.) in Ultimate, Thiago Marreta He's not having his best moments in the octagon, but history can change. Star of UFC Las Vegas 59, which takes place this Saturday (6), the Brazilian has already proven, on other occasions, that he is capable of dreaming big in the world of MMA. As an encouragement to one of the athletes who came closest to surpassing the legendary Jon Jones, the team of SUPER FIGHTS brought together names that turned the company around, after going through moments of instability.
With four defeats in his last five fights, Marreta is looking to prove that he can regain his status as a challenger for the light heavyweight throne. The kickoff could be given this weekend, when the fighter faces Jamahal hill in the main fight.
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Anyone who thinks that sports icons cannot experience setbacks during their career is mistaken. Therefore, remember some athletes who rediscovered the good phase in their careers in the UFC.
1) Randy Couture
R. Couture is considered a UFC legend. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Considered one of the biggest names in UFC history, Randy Couture had moments of disappointment and glory with the organization's gloves. A living legend of mixed martial arts, the American made history in the company, winning belts in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. But not everything was rosy in the UFC fighter's career.
The American won his first UFC title in 1997, when he beat Maurice Smith. The athlete, however, did not defend his throne and was removed after signing a contract with 'Vale Tudo Japan'. Randy won an Ultimate title again in 2000, defending twice against Pedro Rizzo, until losing the title of champion against Josh Barnett. The fighter tried to regain the top of the division immediately after the stumble, but ended up overtaken by Ricco Rodriguez. In the heavyweight division, Couture managed to return to the lead in 2007, when he overtook Tim Sylvia, but lost again in a historic encounter with Brock Lesnar.
Couture also had an impressive stint at light heavyweight. The fighter wore the linear belt in a fight against Tito Ortiz and ended up losing the title in the confrontation against Vitor belfort. Randy, however, regained his belt status in the rematch against the Brazilian.
2) Aljamain Sterling
A. Sterling (photo) is the UFC bantamweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Current owner of the rooster belt (up to 61,2kg.), aljamain sterling His name wasn't always treated as a UFC highlight. In the organization since 2014, the fighter went through ups and downs until assuming the top of the division in 2021.
For the company, Sterling reached the mark of three defeats in five appearances, between 2016 and 2017. The athlete's recovery, however, happened in 2018, when the fighter achieved a sequence of five victories, until disputing the title against Petry Yan, even if controversially, due to an illegal knee from the Russian. In the rematch, Aljamain erased any doubts, overcoming his rival in a dominant manner and defending his title.
3) Fabricio Werdum
F. Werdum in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook @ufc
Considered by many to be one of the best heavyweights of all time, Fabricio Werdum It was not always unanimous within the division. A jiu-jitsu icon, the fighter had two stints in the UFC, the second being the most memorable.
After performing with Strikeforce gloves between 2009 and 2011, the gaucho returned to Ultimate in 2012. In the first phase, the fighter suffered defeats against Andrei Arlovski, junior gypsy. In the second, 'Vai Cavalo' scored five consecutive victories and, in the sixth, won the interim belt by knocking out Mark Hunt. The confrontation for unification took place in front of the legendary Cain Velazquez. The underdog in the betting shops, Fabrício ignored the suspicions and submitted his rival, making the Brazilian fans happy and assuming the absolute throne of the heavyweight division.
The gaucho ended up dethroned in his first title defense. On that occasion, the athlete was knocked out by Stipe Miocic.
4) Glover Teixeira
G. Teixeira was UFC light heavyweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Cheerful to the Brazilian fans, Glover Teixeira He is one of the great names in the history of Brazilian MMA. Determined and with above-average technique, the athlete has been a standout in the under-93kg category for years. The miner, however, went through delicate and uncertain moments in the company.
Glover arrived in the UFC as a Brazilian bet for the light heavyweight division. With sharp boxing, wrestling and high-level jiu-jitsu, the Minas Gerais native accumulated five victims in a row. The feat qualified Tupiniquim for a confrontation with the then absolute and feared Jon Jones, for the group's belt. In the fight, Teixeira ended up defeated by points and, subsequently, was also overcome by Phil Davis, which momentarily took the athlete away from his title dream.
Between 2016 and 2018, the Brazilian fluctuated between victories and defeats in the organization. However, in 2019, already a veteran, the fighter found himself again and reached the mark of five victories, making it unsustainable not to receive a new opportunity to fight for the belt for the second time. The opportunity to assume the throne came before Jan Blachowicz, and Glover didn't disappoint, finishing the Pole and taking the top of the group.
The Minas Gerais player ended up losing the title in his title defense against Jiri Prochazka, but, even at 42 years old, he presented the biggest challenge of the Czech's career, losing only in the final seconds of the last round. Glover's convincing performance remains a decisive factor for a possible immediate rematch. The athlete, however, still doesn't know if he will have the opportunity to try to regain the belt.
5) Charles of the Bronx
C. From the Bronx in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
One of the biggest stars in recent UFC history, Charles of the Bronx is living proof that persistence can bear great fruit. New 'darling' of the lightweight division (up to 70,3kg), the Brazilian experienced moments of tension when he played at featherweight (up to 65,7kg). Defeats and recurring problems with the weight cut, however, forced the São Paulo native to move permanently to the 70,3kg division.
Between 2015 and 2017, Do Bronx accumulated four defeats in six appearances. The 'turning point', however, came in 2018. From the triumph against Clay guida, Charles no longer lost. There were eight triumphs until reaching the challenge against Michael chandler, for the vacant lightweight belt. Against the Bellator legend, the Brazilian showed a true show of race and technical quality, when he endured punishment in the first round and knocked out his rival in the second round, being crowned in the company after years of dedication.
The paulista defended the throne against Dustin poirier at the end of 2021, but ended up controversially losing the title after confusion at the official weigh-in for the UFC 274. Even without the belt, Do Bronx fulfilled his role and ran over Justin gaethje in the first round. The massacre against the North American qualified the Tupiniquim to compete for the vacant title in the UFC 280. This time, the compromise will be against Islam makhachev, considered by many to be the successor to Khabib Nurmagomedov.
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