Condit (left) and Pitbull (right) face each other in Goiânia. Photo: Inovafoto
The UFC is back in Brazil this weekend, to hold the third event of the year in the country in Goiânia (GO). This Saturday, the 30th, UFC Fight Night 67 has a modest card, although some fights could bring important changes to the category scenario in the near future.
Starting with the main duel of the night, between Thiago Pitbull e Carlos Condit. The two, who, despite their young age (31 years for both), are true MMA veterans, will try to achieve a positive result with the ultimate goal of returning to “the top” of the welterweight division.
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Pitbull, from Ceará, has been a UFC fighter for almost a decade, and in 2009, he came close to the long-awaited belt. With seven consecutive victories at the time, Thiago was selected to challenge the champion, Georges St Pierre, but succumbed to the Canadian's frantic game and lost by the judges' decision.
Since then, Pitbull has not recovered his old form, and, hindered by several injuries, he has alternated victories and defeats. In his last two fights, he came out with positive results, over Seth Baczynski and Jordan Mein, but he is still not close to occupying the position he believes he is capable of occupying. Thus, a victory over Condit could return Pitbull to the division's elite, heading towards a new chance to compete for the belt, which is currently in the possession of his training partner Robbie Lawler.
Condit is another who is focused on regaining his old form. The American, former WEC champion and former UFC interim champion, has suffered three defeats in his last four fights. To make matters worse, in his last setback, faced with Tyron woodley, suffered a serious knee injury, which left him out of fights for more than a year.
Even so, Condit remains a respected fighter in the UFC, but if he suffers one more stumble in the octagon, he could see his reputation being called into question.
The end of the rivalry between Do Bronx and Lentz?
Lentz (left) and Do Bronx (right) get awkward at the weigh-in. Photo: Inovafoto
In the second most important fight of the night, two fighters top 10 of the featherweight division measure forces in the Octagon. However, the fight will have much more at stake than a prominent position in the category. Long-time rivals, Charles of the Bronx e Nik lentz They will try to resolve their differences once and for all, which have reached stressful levels in the recent past.
The two have already faced each other in 2011, when they were competing in the lightweight division. Do Bronx submitted the submission, but days later the fight's result was annulled due to the fact that the Brazilian opened the way for the final blow with an illegal knee, while the North American was still resting his knee on the ground.
Since then, many provocations have been made and the rematch has been scheduled. It was supposed to take place in September last year, but Do Bronx fell ill right after the weigh-in and was cut from the event in question. This retrospect caused animosity between the two, who were surprised when they stepped off the scale in Goiânia. Promise of lots of action and hot tempers.
The rest of the card has fire tests for Brazilians
Cowboy (right) has fire test against Noons (left). Photo: Inovafoto
The other fights on the UFC Fight Night 67 card do not feature big names on the international scene. However, the event will serve as a litmus test for some Brazilians, facing opponents who theoretically have a greater reputation.
This is the case of Alex Cowboy. After fighting hard with Gilbert Durinho In his UFC debut, he will face former EliteXC champion KJ Noons, who has victories over names like Nick Diaz, Yves Edwards e Sam stout.
Another one that has a tough time ahead is Francisco Massaranduba. The popular TUF Brazil 1 veteran will face Norman Parke, who won the TUF Smashes title. Francimar Bodão, former Shooto and WOCS light heavyweight champion, takes on karateka Ryan Jimmo.
Finally, a fight that surprisingly received little attention on the schedule will be between the ranked flyweights Jussier formiga (4th) and Wilson reis (12º).
Check out the complete UFC FN 67 technical sheet below:
DATE AND TIME: 30/05/2015, from 19:30 pm (Brasília time)
PLACE: Goiânia Arena, Goiânia (GO)
STREAMING: Combate Channel (complete card)
MAIN CARD
Welterweights: Thiago Pitbull (77,1 kg) x Carlos Condit (77,1 kg);
Feathers: Charles of the Bronx (65,3 kg) x Nik lentz (66,1 kg);
Welterweights: KJ Noons (77,1 kg) x Alex Cowboy (77,1 kg);
Light heavyweights: Francimar Bodão (92,9 kg) x Ryan Jimmo (93,4 kg);
Mild: Norman Parke (70,7 kg) x Francisco Massaranduba (70,7 kg);
Welterweights: Wendell Negão (77,1 kg) x Darren till (77,5 kg);
PRELIMINARY CARD
Feathers: Ron Jason (66,1 kg) x Damon Jackson (65,7 kg);
Flies: Jussier formiga (57,1 kg) x Wilson reis (57,1 kg);
Welterweights: Elizeu Capoeira (77,5 kg) x Nicholas Dalby (77,5 kg);
Roosters: lucas mineiro (65,7 kg) x Mirsad Bektic (66,2 kg);
Straws: Juliana Lima (52,2 kg) x Ericka Almeida (52,6 kg);
Welterweights: Luiz Besouro (77,1 kg) x Tom Breese (77,5 kg)
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