Raphael Assunção leaves gloves in the octagon after defeat at UFC Vegas. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In his last fight under his UFC contract, Raphael Assunção ended up stopping his final commitment in professional MMA. Featured on the preliminary card of UFC Las Vegas, held this Saturday (11), the Brazilian showed courage, but was a victim of the complexity of davey grant. For almost three rounds, the athlete was competitive, but in the final seconds, he was erased, via inverted triangle. Following the official announcement, the 40-year-old veteran announced his retirement from the sport.
Standing out for years in the UFC bantamweight division, Assunção did not achieve the positive result, which could 'force' a renewal. The stumble marked the athlete's fifth setback in the last six challenges.
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Victorious in the show, Grant once again dreams of a place in the top 15 of the category led by aljamain sterling. The athlete reached the mark of two consecutive victories.
A reference in the history of bantamweight, Raphael faced big names in the history of the division, such as TJ Dillashaw, aljamain sterling, cody garbrandt, Urijah faber, Cory Sandhagen e Marlon moraes. Professional in the sport since 2004, the Tupiniquim leaves the sport with 38 challenges in the modality, totaling 28 positive results and 10 negative results.
Raphael Assunção's goodbye
The confrontation began with Grant taking the initiative with two powerful kicks to Assunção's leg. Davey abused attacks on the Brazilian's base, who saved on attacks. Attentive, Raphael took advantage of his opponent's aggression and managed to take the fight to the ground. The Brazilian managed to get to his back, but Davey managed to defend himself well and stayed on his feet. In the center of the octagon, the North American was more aggressive, and played more than the Tupiniquim. In the final seconds, Grant surprised Assunção with a cross to the chin, but the Brazilian absorbed the blow. The stage ended with the fighters facing each other in the center of the octagon.
In the second stage, Grant seemed to have found the best distance. The athlete alternated direct shots and kicks, trying to confuse the Brazilian. With three minutes gone, the North American still had the advantage in the confrontation. Worse in striking, Assunção managed to close the distance and take his opponent to the ground. Raphael tried to get to his back, but Davey managed to stay on his feet, even with the Tupiniquim still 'stuck'. In the final seconds, Grant got on his knees, while Assunção attempted a rear naked choke, but there was no more time.
The decisive round began with a good straight shot from Assunção, which cleanly touched the North American's face. Grant was unfazed and continued 'chasing' the Brazilian in the octagon. Almost halfway through the stage, Davey rocked Raphael with a series of crosses. Shaken, the Tupiniquim clung to his opponent, who was trying to take advantage of the good moment. After the scare, Assunção managed to take down his opponent, but Grant stayed on his feet. With two minutes remaining, Davey 'fastened his pace' and launched powerful attacks on the veteran's body. The Brazilian accused the attacks and attempted a takedown again, but Grant clearly held on to the bars, losing a point. In the final minute, Davey shook the Tupiniquim with a direct hit. Raphael took the fight to the ground again, but ended up being caught by an inverted triangle. With great pressure, the Tupiniquim blacked out, declaring the setback.
UFC Las Vegas Stats
UFC Las Vegas results
MAIN CARD
Bantamweight (up to 61,2kg): Merab Dvalishvili derrotou Petr yan in the unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Alexander Volkov derrotou Alexander Romanov by technical knockout at 2m16s of R1
Married weight (up to 97,5kg): Nikita Krylov finished Ryan spann with a triangle 3m38s from R1
Bantamweight (up to 61,2kg): Jonathan martinez derrotou Said Nurmagomedov in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): mario bautista finished Guido cannetti with a rear naked choke at 3m18s of R1
Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Victor Petrino derrotou Anton Turkalj in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Karl Williams derrotou Lukasz Brzeski in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-26, 30-27, 30-26)
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): davey grant finished Raphael Assunção with an inverted triangle at 4m43s from R3
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Josh Fremd finished Sedriques Dumas with a guillotine 3m from R2
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Victor Henry derrotou Tony Gravely in the judges' split decision (30-27, 28-29-, 29-28)
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Ariane Lipski defeated JJ Aldrich via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Flyweight (56,7kg): Bruno Bulldoguinho submitted Tyson Nam with a rear naked choke at 1m23s of R2
Welterweight (up to 77,1kg): Carlston Harris derrotou Jared Gooden in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27,30-27, 30-27)
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