Aldo (left) and Barão (right) are the only Brazilian UFC champions currently. Photo: MMA Press Production (Disclosure/UFC)
In recent years, the UFC has always promoted an event the day before the Super Bowl (American football final). This Saturday (01), however, the organization is preparing to take an important step in integrating its fight night with the biggest sporting event in the United States. Taking place just over 15 minutes from the match venue, in Newark, UFC 169 embraces once and for all its pre-card status.Super Bowl. For Brazil, the night is no less important, as the country's only remaining champions, Renan Barao e José Aldo, put their belts on the line in the main fights.
Workout companions at the gym Kimura Nova União, José Aldo e Renan Barao hold, respectively, the featherweight and roosterweight titles. In the main fight of the event, Barão will be crowned champion of the 61,2 kg category for the first time. This is because he was due to face Dominck Cruz that night, in a fight valid for unifying the division title, but an injury took his opponent out of the match and guaranteed him as definitive champion. To the place of Cruz he was called Urijah faber, precisely the Brazilian's opponent in the fight for the interim belt. Aldo, on the other hand, is much more used to putting his title on the line. In the co-main fight of UFC 169, the man from Manaus makes his eighth belt defense, considering the five in Ultimate and two others for the now-defunct WEC. His opponent in the fight will be the American Ricardo Lamas.
Despite the two title fights, anyone who thinks that UFC 169 only sparks interest in the main fights is mistaken. On the night's main card, heavyweights Frank mir e alistair overeem, who together have five defeats in their last five fights, are fighting for their survival in the organization, as president Dana White revealed that the chances of the loser being fired are high. Who also has a fight that could define his future in Ultimate is John Lineker. After missing weight for the fourth time in six fights, the Brazilian needs a good result and a convincing presentation to keep his job. The other athlete from Brazil to step into the octagon mounted on Prudential Center It's Alan Patrick. The athlete from X-Gym face the Canadian John makdessi in the fight that closes the preliminary card of the event.
Check out the complete UFC 169 card below, which takes place this Saturday (01), at Prudential Center, in Newark (USA):
MAIN CARD:
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Renan Barao vs Urijah faber;
Featherweight (up to 66 kg): José Aldo vs. Ricardo Lamas;
Heavy weight (up to 120 kg): Frank mir vs alistair overeem;
Flyweight (up to 57 kg): John lineker vs. Ali Bagautinov;
Lightweight (up to 70 kg): Jamie Varner vs Abel Trujillo.
PRELIMINARY CARD:
Light weight (up to 70 kg): John makdessi vs Alan Nuguette;
Flyweight (up to 57 kg): Chris Cariaso vs Danny Martinez;
Middleweight (up to 84 kg): Nick Catone vs Tom Watson;
Light weight (up to 70 kg): To the fifth vs Kevin Lee;
Middleweight (up to 84 kg): Clint Hester vs Andy Enz;
Lightweight (up to 70 kg): Tony Martin vs Rashid Magomedov;
Welterweight (up to 77 kg): Neil Magny vs Gasan Umalatov.
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