Lineker (photo) won in a fight against Rivera. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
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John Lineker made his debut in the Ultimate bantamweight division. During the preliminary card of UFC 191, an event held in Las Vegas (USA), on Saturday night (5), the Brazilian got the better of a frantic fight against Francisco Rivera, already a candidate for the attraction's “Fight of the Night”.
Clearly shorter than his opponent, Lineker waited for the right moment to “explode” onto “Cisco”. After an insane exchange of blows, with both fighters almost being knocked out, the Brazilian managed a choke from the guard to end the fight, with just over two minutes left.
This was Lineker's first fight in the under-61 kg weight class, as, until then, he had worked in the lower flyweight category (up to 57 kg). Forced to move up due to having difficulties with the weight of the lighter category, Lineker sent a message in the post-fight interview: “David has arrived to take down the Goliaths”, he said.
Two other Brazilians at the event also came away with victory. Tiago Trator beat Clay Collard in a close decision by the judges, while Joaquim Netto BJJ defeated the Argentine based in Florianópolis Nazareno Malegarie. However, the only setback was from Jéssica “Bate-Estaca” Andrade, who ended up being submitted by Rachel Pennington.
Check out how the Brazilians fought:
Netto BJJ beats Malegarie in close decision
The first fight of the event was a duel between two members of TUF Brasil 4. Joaquim Netto BJJ managed to impose his game in striking and got the better of the judges' decision on Nazareno Malegarie.
The Brazilian had a clear intention of keeping the fight standing, where he managed to land better strikes and gain an advantage in the fight. Despite accepting the striking, the Argentine based in Florianópolis tried to take the fight to the ground, but without success. In the end, two judges gave victory to Netto BJJ, against one in favor of Malegarie. It was their debut in the UFC.
Tractor overcomes punishment and comes out on top in a pair fight
T. Trator (photo) was cast at the last minute for UFC 191. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
The Brazilians achieved their second victory of the night in the third fight of UFC 191. Tiago Trator and Clay Collard had a dynamic fight, with good moments for both, but in the end the Brazilian won by the judges' decision.
Trator had his best moments on the ground, with a near submission in the first round and in some other moments when he reached mount. Collard, on the other hand, had a great opportunity in the second round, when he knocked the Brazilian down and tried to knock him out.
However, the fight was marked by balance, as, overall, both had standout moves. Trator won a split decision and recovered from the setback suffered in his last fight, against Mike de la Torre; Collard, in turn, suffered his second defeat in a row.
Pennington submits and takes revenge on “Bate-Estaca”
Pennington got the better of Jessica. Photo: Disclosure
Rachel Pennington managed to avenge the defeat he suffered against Jessica Andrade last year. The North American ended up taking advantage of a mistake made by the Brazilian in the final moments of the second round to land a rear naked choke, which ended up deciding the fight.
“Bate-Estaca” started the fight at an intense pace, starting on his feet and trying to take the fight to the ground. However, as the fight went on, Pennington grew, especially with strikes in the clinch and takedowns. Around ten minutes into the fight, Jéssica had her back to the ground, but ended up turning towards her opponent: that was the cue that “Rocky” needed to back up and apply the choke.
Thus, the North American obtains her third victory in the UFC, against two setbacks; Jéssica suffers her second defeat in her last three fights, as she had lost to Marion Reneau before beating Sarah Moras.
Lineker wins war in bantamweight debut
The fight between Lineker and Rivera was a real war. The fight started with a lot of study, with the North American trying to take advantage of his greater height. However, it was a matter of time before Lineker started a “blitz” against Rivera on the cage, in a frenetic exchange on both sides.
Lineker was very close to getting knocked out, but Rivera survived. “Cisco” even reacted, including landing good punches and shaking the Brazilian. However, Rivera hesitated and Lineker pulled for the guillotine, ending the fight.
UFC 191 preliminary card results:
Ross Pearson defeated Paul felder in the judges' split decision;
John Lineker submitted Francisco Rivera with a guillotine choke 2min08s into R1;
Rachel Pennington submitted Jéssica “Bate-Estaca” with a rear naked choke at 4min58s of R2;
Tiago Trator defeated Clay Collard via split decision;
Joe Riggs defeated Ron Stallings by disqualification (illegal pedaling) in R2;
Joaquim Netto BJJ derrotou Nazareno Malegarie in the judges' split decision;
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