Gadelha tries to end Brazilian title drought at TUF 23 Finale

Gadelha (photo) returns to face Joanna. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

Last Thursday (7th), Rafael dos Anjos lost the UFC lightweight belt, which left Brazil momentarily without a single belt from the biggest MMA organization on the planet. The public, however, can take comfort in the fact that there will be several title chances for the country in the coming days.

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The first opportunity will be this Friday (8), at the event that will mark the finals of the reality show The Ultimate Fighter 23. Claudia Gadelha, training partner José Aldo at the Nova União academy, she will face her arch-rival, champion Joanna Jedrzejcyk, with the aim of becoming the first Brazilian woman to triumph in Ultimate.

The two have already faced each other once, in December 2014. At the time, the duel was marked by enormous balance, and the Polish woman prevailed in a decision made by the judges that was contested by many. However, for the rematch, expectations are even greater, as both guarantee that they have improved from their first clash to now.

Claudinha, whose ground game is her greatest strength, declares that her physical and standing skills have improved; Jedrzejczyk, owner of a sharp Muay Thai, highlighted her improvement in takedown defenses.

This Friday's fight promises to be another chapter in a rivalry that should last a long time. However, for Brazilian fans, there is much more than a feud at stake.

Card full of attractions

If the TUF 23 finals themselves aren't very exciting (by the way, they are Andrew Sanchez x Khalil rountree and Amanda Cooper x Tatiana Suarez placeholder image), there are a number of other attractions at this Friday's event. Starting with the debut of Will Brooks, former Bellator lightweight champion, who will make his first fight in the Octagon against Ross Pearson.

Furthermore, there will be a massive participation of Brazilian fighters. In total, there will be five more Brazilian athletes on the card in addition to Claudinha. On the main card, The Veteran Thiago tavares will face the dangerous Doo Ho Choi, and Joaquim Silva, the Netto BJJ, faces Andrew Holbrook.

In the preliminary card, two Brazilians participating in TUF Brasil 4 will face former challengers for the belt. Fernando Butcher face Gray Maynard, who competed for the lightweight belt, and Matheus Nicolau Take John Moraga, who once fought for the flyweight title. Finally, TUF Brasil 1 champion Cézar Mutante tries for another victory against Anthony Smith.

Check out the TUF 23 Finale technical sheet below:

DATE AND TIME: 08/07/2016, from 19:50 pm (Brasília time)

PLACE: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, United States

STREAMING: Combat Channel

MAIN CARD

Straws: Joanna Jedrzejczyk x Claudia Gadelha
Light heavyweights: Andrew Sanchez x Khalil rountree
Straws: Amanda Cooper x Tatiana Suarez placeholder image
Mild: Ross Pearson x Will Brooks
Feathers: Doo Ho Choi x Thiago tavares
Mild: Joaquim Netto BJJ x Andrew Holbrook

PRELIMINARY CARD

Feathers: Gray Maynard x Fernando Butcher
Flies: John Moraga x Matheus Nicolau
Light heavyweights: Josh Stansbury vs. Cory Hendricks
Medium: Mutant Caesar x Anthony Smith
Mild: Jake matthews x Kevin Lee
Welterweights: li jingliang x Anton Zafir