Deiveson Figueiredo (right) and Brandon Moreno (left) engage in tetralogy in UFC 283. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The 2022 season is coming to an end and, with that, the start of our traditional retrospectives. In this special, the team at SUPER FIGHTS dedicated itself to listing the main highlights of the first four months of the year. Thus, moments between January and April will be remembered.
At the beginning of 2022, many situations moved the sport. Belts changed hands, promises were massacred and expectations, at one point, were broken.
Without further ado, look back at the highlights from January to February.
Ngannou 'Nurmagomedov'
F. Ngannou became a 'Wrestler' to beat C. Gane in the UFC 270. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @ufceurope
Scheduled for the first title fight in the 2022 season, Francis Ngannou shocked MMA fans in his first – and only – commitment of the year. Opponent of Cyryl Gane in a clash for the unification of the heavyweight title (up to 120,2kg), the French-Cameroonian 'forgot' brute strength and proved to be more than the owner of enormous strength in his fists.
In combat with Gane, who headed the UFC 270, Ngannou found it difficult to dribble his opponent's technique and movement. Not to be surprised, the 'giant' activated 'wrestler mode', proving a high fighting IQ and dominating his opponent in the final rounds. After five rounds, Francis was declared the winner by the judges' decision and confirmed his place at the absolute top of the 120,2kg division.
Deiveson regains belt
D. Figueiredo (right) and B. Moreno (left) must face each other for the fourth time in a title dispute. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Dethroned by Brandon Moreno in a rematch for the flyweight throne (up to 56,7kg.) in 2021, Deiveson Figueredo had his moment of revenge about six months after the defeat to the Mexican. Highlights in UFC 270, the athletes starred in a trilogy valid for the belt.
After being submitted months earlier, Figueiredo showed focus and determination to frustrate his rival and, over the course of 25 minutes, delivered a convincing performance. With the end of the clash, the man from Pará was declared the winner and regained the group's belt.
The rivalry between the stars, however, will have another chapter. In January, the athletes will once again share the octagon in a battle to unify the throne.
Brazilian promise is brutalized
J. Walker (left) was brutalized by J. Hill (right) in the UFC Las Vegas 48. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Years after debuting in Ultimate as a 'hurricane' and massacring three opponents in a row, Johnny Walker He clearly understood the difficulties of representing the UFC. Before reaching his current level of maturity, the athlete was the victim of one of the toughest knockouts in the 2022 season.
In February, the athlete took on the challenge of measuring strength with the dangerous Jamahal hill and paid the price of agreeing to a frank confrontation with his rival. Still in the first round, the Brazilian ended up receiving a clean right to the face and was immediately knocked out. The stumble increased the North American's good moment in the company and turned on the 'warning signal' for the Tupiniquim, who managed to recover after hitting Ion cutelaba.
Fight between friends disappoints
C. Covington (left) defeated J. Masvidal (right) in the UFC 272. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The challenge between former friends Colby covington e Jorge masvidal it was sold with the promise of violence and reckoning. The athletes, however, talked a lot and produced little in the main fight of the UFC 272, in March.
Former challengers for the welterweight belt (up to 77,1kg), the fighters entered the octagon and what followed was a 'monologue' led by Covington. A reference in wrestling, 'Caos', masterfully, canceled the striking of his former training partner on 'American Top Team'. Even without force and the promised aggression, Colby won the match by the judges' decision after dominating his opponent for around 25 minutes.
Brazilian 'erases' with apotheotic blow
L. Dread was brutally knocked out by M. McCann in the UFC London. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In March, Ultimate promoted a historic confrontation held in London (ENG). With a show of results in the fast lane, a local fighter was able to stage a massacre in front of her fans.
Flyweight athlete (up to 56,7kg.), Molly McCann He stepped into the Octagon with the weight of the crowd on his shoulders, but he didn't disappoint. Before Luana Dread, the athlete had a convincing performance for around three rounds, but the outcome was what shocked him.
With a rotating elbow of rare happiness, the Englishman immediately erased the Brazilian. With the victory, McCann wrote her name in the history of Ultimate as one of the biggest upsets in the history of women's MMA in the company.
Patrício Pitbull beats 'Bellator darling'
P. Pitbull (left) defeated A. McKee (right) in the Bellator 277. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The long-awaited rematch between A. J. McKee e Patrick Pitbull ended up being highly advantageous for the Brazilian fans. Beaten by the North American in the fateful Bellator 263, the native of Rio Grande do Norte was determined to regain the featherweight belt (up to 65,7kg) lost in 2021.
Approximately nine months after the historic setback against the organization's pupil, Patrício proved that, in fact, he is a different athlete. Even with the difference in age and size, the Brazilian performed majestic and did not allow his opponent to have the brilliant performance of the previous year.
After five rounds of highly strategic performance, Patrício was declared the winner in a unanimous decision by the judges.
Durinho and Chimaev promote 'war'
K. Chimaev (left) defeated G. Durinho (right) in the UFC 273. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The month of April was also marked by hosting one of the best clashes of the 2022 season. Former challenger for the welterweight belt (under 77,1kg.), Gilbert Durinho accepted the challenge of facing Khamzat Shimaev.
Willing to prove to his promise the difficulties imposed by the division's elite, the Niteroi native fulfilled the agreement to the letter. Even though he was defeated in a split decision, the Niteroi native exposed the Swede and gave his opponent the toughest fight of his career. After three intense and balanced rounds, 'Bicho Papão' was declared the winner in a split decision.
Bate-Estaca frustrates compatriot
J. Bate-Estaca fits a hand triangle on A. Lemos. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Female MMA icon, Jessica Stacker was responsible for delaying her compatriot's dream Amanda lemos in reaching the strawweight elite (up to 52,1kg.). Willing to regain her status as a challenger in the category she led in 2019, the Paraná native was merciless towards the Pará native in the confrontation between the two.
Faced with an aggressive opponent, Bate-Estaca ignored the opponent's dangers and promoted a submission, hitherto unprecedented in the company. With a standing arm triangle, the woman from Paraná confirmed that she continues to be a danger in the division and continued to be highlighted in a future fight for the belt.
I look at them
Jailton Malhadinho (left) and Caio Borralho (right) are Brazilian promises in the UFC. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage
The start of the 2022 season also marked the debut of two names that should be followed more closely by MMA fans. Jailton Malhadinho e Caio Borralho Tupiniquins were highlights throughout the year.
Representative of Bahia, Malhadinho fell in favor with the Brazilian fans in his first moments in the octagon. Willing to perform in both light heavyweight (up to 93kg) and heavyweight (up to 120,2kg), the fighter debuted in Ultimate against his compatriot Danilo Marques, in February, and had no problems. With safe performance, the athlete controlled his opponent and won by knockout in the first round.
Middleweight athlete (up to 83,9kg.), Caio Borralho in a short time it became a strong reinforcement for the division that, today, has Alex Poatán as a great champion. Intelligent and confident, the athlete from São Luis (MA) debuted with the company in April and, straight away, faced Gadzhi Omargadzhiev. The Tupiniquim, in turn, was not intimidated and achieved a positive result via submission in the third round.
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