Thales (left) and Pitbull (right) won at UFC 183. Photo: Produção SUPER LUTAS (Disclosure/UFC)
Brazilians participating in the main card of UFC 183, in Las Vegas (USA), Thiago Pitbull e Thales leites they went through difficult moments against Jordan Mein and Tim Boetsch, respectively, but managed to turn things around and take the victory at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, this Saturday (31).
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Former challenger for the welterweight belt (under 77 kg), Pitbull suffered against Mein in the first round. However, the Ceará native knocked out the Canadian with a powerful kick to the waist. Thales, who has already competed for the middleweight belt (up to 84 kg), was almost knocked out by Boetsch, but he took the fight to his home ground, the ground, and finished the American with a choke.
In the other battles that preceded the main event, To the fifth continued his good run in the octagon and knocked out Joe lauzon in a lively fight. The welterweights Tyron woodley e Kelvin Gastelum They had a tepid, unattractive duel, with the experienced North American managing to end the TUF champion's unbeaten record in a split decision by the judges.
Pitbull suffers, but turns into a fight and knocks out Mein
Pitbull (photo) sends a message: “Welterweight division, guess who’s back?” Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
In the opening fight of the UFC 183 main card, Thiago Pitbull he had a hard time facing the promising young man Jordan Mein, but he achieved a turnaround that seemed unlikely and achieved another victory in his long career in the UFC.
Having only had one fight in the UFC since 2012, the former welterweight title challenger found it difficult to match up against Mein, who, being taller, was able to land good long-range strikes. At a certain point in the first round, the Canadian landed a powerful upper on Pitbull, who swayed and almost fell.
As soon as the second round began, Mein seemed at ease, even doing a somersault in the octagon. Soon after, however, Pitbull landed a hard kick to the Canadian's ribs, who fell and was unable to resist the Brazilian's blows. Pitbull's victory came 39 seconds into the second round.
In the post-fight interview, Pitbull sent a message to the fighters in his category: “Welterweight division, guess who’s back?” he asked. Mein, on the other hand, suffered his tenth defeat, his second in the UFC – he also lost to Matt Brown, in April 2013.
In a complicated fight, Thales erases Boetsch in the second round
Leites (photo) has won five in a row in the UFC. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
Life wasn't easy either for the second Brazilian to step into the octagon on the main card of UFC 183. Thales leites He faced difficult moments with Tim Boetsch's powerful punches, but decided the fight in the second round with one of his specialties on the ground.
In the opening five minutes, Thales adopted a risky strategy, deciding to go for open exchanges against the powerful Boetsch. The Brazilian almost paid dearly for this, suffering a knockdown and the left part of his face was left quite swollen.
In the second round, however, Thales managed to take the fight to the ground and had an easier time. He mounted and went for a katagatame, also called a hand triangle, but the North American survived. Seconds later, another attempt, and this time, Boetsch was unable to defend himself and blacked out before making the “three taps”.
With this, Leites remains undefeated since returning to the UFC, with his fifth consecutive victory. Boetsch continues his streak of alternating victories and defeats, suffering his fourth setback in the last six fights.
Iaquinta punishes Lauzon and wins by knockout
Surrounded by great expectations from fans, the fight between To the fifth e Joe lauzon, the third on the main card, did not disappoint. The two lightweights never ran away from the fight and put on an exciting fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, with Iaquinta winning in the second round.
The first five minutes had a certain balance between the fighters, but the bill was settled in the second period. Iaquinta landed a good sequence of left crosses and straight right, which made Lauzon swing. Calmly, Iaquinta avoided getting flustered and undermined Lauzon with accurate blows, which made him feel even more. “J-Lau” didn’t fall, but he had serious difficulties staying upright. After more hard blows from Iaquinta, referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight, giving victory to the TUF 15 runner-up at 3:34.
Woodley defeats Gastelum in disappointing co-main event
If the first fights on the UFC 183 preliminary card left fans standing in the gym, the same did not apply to the co-main fight of the event. Top fighters in the welterweight division, Tyron woodley e Kelvin Gastelum They did not live up to expectations and had a truncated and lukewarm fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Even though both athletes are known for their skills in the wrestling, the fight never came close to going to the ground. Woodley and Gastelum spent 15 minutes exchanging blows while standing in the octagon, and there were no moments when the fight was close to being defined.
Woodley ended up making the difference with his punches, as some of the punches he threw hit and bothered Gastelum. The TUF champion, in response, threw good low kicks, which didn't bother his opponent. In the end, Woodley won the judges' decision, imposing the first setback of Gastelum's career.
UFC 183 results:
MAIN CARD
Anderson Silva derrotou Nick Diaz by unanimous decision of the judges;
Tyron woodley derrotou Kelvin Gastelum by split decision of the judges;
To the fifth derrotou Joe lauzon by technical knockout in R2;
Thales leites defeated Tim Boetsch via submission in R2;
Thiago Pitbull defeated Jordan Mein via TKO in R2;
PRELIMINARY CARD
Miesha Tate derrotou Sara McMann by majority decision of the judges;
Derek Brunson defeated Ed Herman via TKO in R1;
John Lineker defeated Ian McCall by unanimous decision;
Rafael Sapo defeated Tom Watson by unanimous decision of the judges;
Diego Brandao x Jimy Hettes – Fight cancelled;
Ildemar Marajó defeated Rick Monster by split decision of the judges;
Thiago Marreta defeated Andy Enz via TKO in R1;
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