Nate Maness defeated Mateus Bocão in UFC Las Vegas 80. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @ufc
Hired via the Contender Series, Mateus Bocão debuted with a defeat in the bantamweight division and chose to change categories to prove his real value in the organization. Despite the great favoritism for the first fight in the flyweight division (up to 56,7kg), Chute Boxe pupil Diego Lima paid dearly for the strategy used and was knocked out by the experienced Nate Maness still in the first round.
training partner Charles of the Bronx, Matues expected to achieve his first victory in Ultimate, after debuting against a great promise from the organization. Despite his aggressive initiative in the duel, the athlete was unsuccessful in the grappling fight and suffered the first knockout in his career. With the episode, the athlete went on to accumulate 10 triumphs and two setbacks.
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On the other hand, Nate recovered from a delicate phase and returned to the path of victory after accumulating two consecutive setbacks. Present in Ultimate since 2020, the North American achieved his fourth victory in six appearances in Ultimate.
Nate Maness knocks out Mateus Bocão in the final seconds
The fight started with Nate going for the low kick and being cornered by Bocao. The Brazilian walked forward and quickly resorted to grappling, dominating his rival with his back on the cage. When trying to apply submissions to his opponent, Matheus put himself in a risky position and absorbed violent blows. Despite the bad moment, the Maranhão man continued looking for submissions while exchanging punches with Maness. When he managed to free himself from the position, the American entered Mateus' guard, raised his stance and threw straight punches, forcing the referee to interrupt the confrontation.
Karolina Kowalkiewicz overcomes family problem and wins
Karolina Kowalkiewicz (dir.) in presentation at UFC Las Vegas 80. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
With great losses in the family recently, Karolina Kowalkiewicz He transformed sadness into his greatest ally. Determined to make her loved ones proud, the Polish woman delivered an aggressive performance in a duel against Diana Belbita and triumphed with a unanimous decision from the judges, who awarded three rounds to zero in favor of the veteran.
After considering retirement, Karolina is experiencing a magical moment in her career. At 37 years old, the former strawweight belt challenger achieved her fourth consecutive victory and took another step towards the category title.
Unlike the veteran, Diana continues to be unable to achieve a sequence of triumphs in the organization. Hired in 2019, the athlete went on to accumulate three setbacks and two victories in her ups and downs trajectory in the UFC.
JJ Aldrich breaks bank again
Last minute climb to the UFC Las Vegas 80, JJ Aldrich used his greatest experience to break the bank and surprise Mountain Rose in the first fight of the event. In a flyweight duel (up to 56,8 kg), the veteran managed to dominate her opponent with a great advantage in the stand-up fight and secured victory in the judges' unanimous decision, with three rounds to zero.
In a good moment in the organization, JJ achieved his second consecutive victory and took another step towards the top 15 of the division reigned by Alexa grasso. At 31 years old, the athlete expanded her record to 13-6.
Moreover, Mountain Rose he suffered the third setback in a row and placed himself in a delicate position in the organization. Champion of the 26th edition of The Ultimate Fighter, the North American hasn't won since 2021, when she defeated Ariane Lipski.
Mongolian turns around and guarantees triumph
Aoriqileng (left) fighting in UFC Las Vegas 80. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
Back to the winning path, Aoriqileng He went through great difficulties in the first round, but proved that he is willing to overcome adversity to remain in the UFC. Scheduled to face Johnny Munoz Jr., the Mongolian athlete did better in the stand-up and grappling fights and secured victory in the judges' unanimous decision, with two rounds to one.
After suffering a hard knockout in a confrontation held in UFC 289, Aoriqileng found the path to victory again. Present in Ultimate since 2021, the athlete now has three triumphs and three setbacks in the organization.
Appointed as the slight favorite before the duel, Johnny Munoz Jr. was unsuccessful in trying to impose strategy in the grappling fight and was defeated again in the UFC. A representative of the bantamweight category (up to 61,2kg), the North American hasn't won since 2021 and wasted the opportunity to once again dream of getting closer to the top 15 in the division.
Controversial result marks UFC Vegas 80
Vanessa Demopoulos (dir.) fighting in UFC Las Vegas 80. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
In a duel held at strawweight (up to 52,1kg.) Vanessa Demopolus measured forces against Kanako Murata, who hadn't performed in two years. Despite her inactivity, the Japanese didn't feel the rhythm and managed to put pressure on her rival, staying on top for much of the fight. Even from below, the Greek athlete remained aggressive and threw elbows all the time. The action impressed the judges, who ended up declaring victory for the 'Little Monster', as she is known.
With the victory, Vanessa returned to the path of victory and was relieved with the result. Winning the unanimous decision of the judges, the Greek once again got closer to the elite of the division led by Weili Zhang.
After being inactive for two years, Murata returned with unexpected results. Hired in 2020 by the organization, the Japanese woman was defeated again and has now accumulated just one victory in three appearances for Ultimate.
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