UFC FN 61: On a night of surprises, Brazilians do poorly on the main card in Porto Alegre

Johnson (left) defeated Barboza (right) in the co-main event of the night. Photo: Wander Roberto/inovafoto

The fights on the main card of UFC Fight Night 61, in Porto Alegre (RS), this Sunday (22), saw the underdogs surprise the favorites. The Brazilians Iuri Marajó, Cezar Mutant e Edson Barboza did not confirm their favoritism and fell, respectively, to Frankie Saenz, Sam alvey e Michael Johnson.

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In the co-main fight of the night, Barboza was unable to impose his efficient striking game and was nullified by Johnson, suffering defeat by the judges' decision. Marajó experienced a similar result, who lost on points to the underdog Saenz. In the case of Mutante, the result was even harsher: the TUF Brazil 1 champion suffered a tough knockout from Alvey, in the first round.

The joy of the fans was due to the underdogs as well. Santiago Ponzinibbio and Adriano Martins, who achieved important victories against Sean Strickland and Rustam Khabilov.

“Good Argentinian people” punishes undefeated rival and wins the first

The fans present at Ginásio Gigantinho celebrated the performance of Santiago Ponzinibbio at the opening of the main card of UFC Fight Night 61. The “Argentino Gente Boa”, who gained popularity in Brazil with his participation in TUF Brasil 2, defeated the previously undefeated Sean Strickland and obtained his second victory in a row in the octagon.

Counting on the broad support of the fans, Ponzinibbio had a practically impeccable performance in Porto Alegre. The Argentine spent a good part of the fight dominating the center of the octagon, cornering the taller Strickland and punishing him with powerful punches and kicks.

The North American showed resistance to the blows and responded, and the fight had a good rhythm practically from start to finish. At the end of 15 minutes of action, Ponzinibbio won the unanimous decision (triple 30 to 27).

After debuting in the UFC with a defeat to Ryan LaFlare, Ponzinibbio achieved his second victory in a row – he had knocked out Wendell Negão in Brasília, in September last year. Strickland loses his first in three fights in the UFC, having won victories over Bubba McDaniel and Luke Barnatt in the past.

Marajó cannot resist Saenz's fair play and loses

Considered one of the great favorites of the night in Porto Alegre, Iuri Marajó was unable to confirm this position inside the Octagon. The experienced Brazilian, who had the help of experienced coach Greg Jackson in his corner (the same coach as Jon Jones), did not stand up to Frankie Saenz's fair game and ended up defeated by the judges' decision.

The North American managed to make a difference in his takedown game, as he had Marajó on his back on the ground in some moments of the fight. Furthermore, Saenz punished the Brazilian with strong knees to the body. Marajó, on the other hand, tried to respond with striking, including landing a good high kick in the second round, taking down the North American. In the end, Marajó managed to obtain the mounted position, but was unable to take advantage.

All three judges gave victory to Saenz (30 to 27, 30 to 27 and 29 to 28), who thus obtained his second positive result in two fights in the UFC. Marajó suffers his third defeat in Ultimate, interrupting a streak of three straight victories.

In a warm fight, Martins wins an important victory over Khabilov

Adriano Martins won an important victory in Porto Alegre, surprising the ranked – and favorite – Rustam Khabilov in the judges' decision. The fight, however, left something to be desired in terms of movement and provoked several boos from the public present in the gym.

The fighters studied each other, without taking any more concrete initiative, for most of the 15 minutes of the contest. Fearful, Khabilov did not show his usual aggression, hesitating in his attacks and basically opting for a right-hand choke. Martins also avoided exposing himself, attacking in a restrained manner.

The Brazilian ended up making the difference in his favor with takedowns, putting the Russian on his back on the ground at important moments in the rounds. Furthermore, Martins also managed to take advantage of a moment of carelessness from Khabilov and scored a knockdown at the end of the second period.

Martins won the judges' split decision (29 to 28, 28 to 29 and 29 to 28), obtaining his second triumph in a row in the UFC. Khabilov suffered his second defeat in a row, having lost to Benson Henderson via submission in June last year.

Mutant is surprised by Alvey and is knocked out

Alvey celebrates knocking out Mutante. Photo: Lucas Uebel/inovafoto

The zebra continued to stroll around the octagon in the fourth fight of the UFC main card in Porto Alegre. TUF Brazil 1 Champion, Cezar Mutant was surprised by Sam alvey and lost by knockout in the first round.

Mutante started dictating the pace of the fight, landing good kicks and working at distance. Alvey appeared passive, only avoiding the Brazilian's attacks. Mutante then seemed to be more comfortable, trying plastic strikes such as spinning kicks and elbows. However, Alvey accurately counterattacked a straight shot from Mutante, delivering two well-aimed hooks that knocked the Brazilian out in a knockout.

After the fight, Alvey endeared himself to the Brazilian fans with his friendliness and friendly words in the interview, still in the octagon. This was his second victory in three fights in the UFC, while Mutante suffered his second setback in six fights.

Johnson has an impeccable performance and stops de Barboza’s rise

Edson Barboza, who had been on an upward trajectory in the UFC lightweight rankings, suffered a major setback in Porto Alegre. The Friburguense was canceled by the strategy of Michael Johnson and ended up losing in a unanimous decision by the judges.

The fight began with both athletes making their strategies clear. While Johnson avoided giving Barboza space, moving forward and pressing with offensive striking, the Brazilian responded with more forceful blows, especially kicks to the body and head.

However, Johnson was more annoying with his strategy, landing good punches on the Brazilian, so much so that Barboza, at one point, tried to take the fight to the ground. The only time the fight went to the ground was in the final moments, with Johnson on top, paving the way to victory.

UFC FN 61 results:

MAIN CARD

Frank mir derrotou Antonio Pezão by knockout in R1;

Michael Johnson derrotou Edson Barboza in the unanimous decision of the judges;

Sam alvey derrotou Cezar Mutant by knockout in R1;

Adriano Martins defeated Rustam Khabilov via split decision;

Frankie Saenz defeated Iuri Marajó in the unanimous decision of the judges;

Santiago Ponzinibbio derrotou Sean Strickland in the unanimous decision of the judges;

PRELIMINARY CARD

Marion Reneau defeated Jessica Andrade by submission in R1;

Matt Dwyer defeated William Patolino by knockout in R1;

Mike de la Torre defeated Tiago Trator by TKO in R1;

Douglas D'Silva derrotou Cody Gibson in the unanimous decision of the judges;

Ivan Batman defeated Josh Shockley via unanimous decision

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