Bring on the heart! In a duel valid for the middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg) in UFC Las Vegas 101, Cesinha showed why he is considered one of the best strikers in the category. The former Glory fighter showed composure and, after being knocked down by Abdul Razak Al Hassan and coming close to being knocked out, he landed a left cross in the style of Alex Poatán, leaving his opponent unconscious in the octagon.
With the triumph, the 36-year-old Brazilian achieved his seventh victory in his career, his third in the UFC. Al Hassan reached his seventh defeat in 13 appearances in the largest MMA organization in the world.
Cesar Almeida scores third UFC victory with brutal knockout
Cesinha defeated Abdul Razak Alhassan No. UFC Las Vegas 101. Photo: UFC / Getty Images
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Cesinha started the fight cautiously, using low kicks and taking advantage of his greater height to maintain distance. Al Hassan, on the other hand, was more aggressive, putting all his strength into each blow, until he landed a strong straight punch that knocked the Brazilian down. From then on, it seemed like the former Glory fighter would be knocked out at any moment, until, with a counterattack, he sent his opponent to the canvas.
Roman Kopylov outlasts Chris Curtis and knocks him out at the last second
Roman Kopylov derrotou Chris Curtis No. UFC Las Vegas 101. Photo: UFC / Getty Images
Chris Curtis e Roman Kopylov They began the fight with a high level of exchange. With greater height and reach, the Russian dominated the distance with jabs, low kicks and takedown feints, while the North American, more closed, waited to land a final counterattack.
In the second round, Curtis returned ready to dictate the pace. The American marched towards his opponent with strong blows, gradually taking over the center of the octagon. However, after landing an illegal kick and a poke to the eye, the Russian shook his opponent with a strong straight punch in the final moments of the round.
In the third round, both men knew they had to do their best to get their arms raised. After an early exchange of heavy blows, Kopylov rocked Curtis with a left hand. In the final stretch, when it looked like they were going to count, the Russian landed a high kick that knocked the American down, half-knocked out, forcing the referee to stop the fight at the last second.
With victory, Roman Kopylov achieved his 14th career victory, the 12th by knockout.
Check out all the results from UFC Vegas 101
MAIN CARD
Straw weight (up to 52,1 kg): Mackenzie dern derrotou Amanda ribas by submission (arm-lock) at 4min46sec of R3
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Santiago Ponzinibbio derrotou Carlston Harris by technical knockout (punches) at 3min13sec of R3
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Cesar Almeida derrotou Abdul Razak Alhassan by knockout (punch) at 4min16sec of R1
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Roman Kopylov derrotou Chris Curtis by knockout (head kick) at 4min59sec of R3
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Christian rodriguez derrotou Austin Bashi by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Punahele Soriano derrotou Uros Medic by knockout (punches) at 32sec of R1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Felipe Bunes derrotou Joseph Johnson by submission (arm-lock) at 2min03sec of R1
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Marcus Tullius derrotou Ihor Potieria by knockout (punches) at 3min02sec of R1
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): James Moses derrotou Trey Ogden por unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Jacobe Smith derrotou Preston Parsons by knockout (punch) at 1min11sec of R1
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Ernesta Kareckaite derrotou Nicole Caliari by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29,28)
Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Bruno Lopes derrotou Magomed Gadzhiyasulov in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Straw weight (up to 52,1 kg): Fatima Kline derrotou Victoria Dudakova by technical knockout (elbows) at 4min27s of R2
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Nurullo Aliev derrotou Joe Solecki in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
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