The preliminary card of TUF Finale 23, an event this Friday (8) in Las Vegas (USA), excited the public who arrived early at the MGM Gran Garden. Among Brazilians, the climate was no different. Of the country's three athletes in action, two left the octagon with convincing victories. Cezar Mutant used wrestling to nullify Anthony Smith, While Matheus Nicolau surprised John Moraga in the judges' decision.
The only Brazilian defeat in the opening program was Fernando Butcher. The TUF Brasil 4 participant was surpassed by the veteran Gray Maynard in the unanimous decision of the judges.
Fernando Açadogueiro gets tired and is defeated by Gray Maynard
the fight between Fernando Butcher e Gray Maynard It started off in a mind-boggling way with an insane exchange of punches. The Brazilian managed to land the best blows, but was swayed by a counterattack from the North American.
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After the initial period of exchanging blows, Maynard's wrestling came into play. The North American cooled the Brazilian's momentum and took down Fernando to stop the fight.
In the second round, Açadogueiro tried to take the fight to the ground, but he exerted too much force and ended up getting quite tired. In the third round, Maynard dominated the actions and ended up guaranteeing victory against the Brazilian.
The TUF Brasil 4 finalist recorded his second consecutive defeat in the UFC, while Gray Maynard scored his first victory in four years.
Matheus Nicolau surprises and defeats John Moraga
Matheus Nicolau surprised at the TUF 23 Finale. Photo: Brandon Magnus/UFC
In a less eventful fight than expected, the promising Matheus Nicolau surprised and defeated the sixth ranked flyweight John Moraga by split decision from the judges.
In a fight with few blows thrown, the Brazilian connected some good blows throughout the fight and made great use of his dodge. A strong point of his academy, Nova União, leg kicks helped Nicolau, who managed to keep his distance and counterattack with good crosses. At the end of the fight, Nicolau still applied a takedown and managed to catch the North American's back before the end of the fight.
Matheus Nicolau scored his second victory in his second fight in Ultimate. Meanwhile, North American John Moraga suffered his second consecutive defeat within the organization.
Cézar Mutante uses wrestling and defeats Anthony Smith
C. Mutante celebrating victory over A. Smith at TUF 23 Finale. Photo: Jeff Bottari/UFC
Winner of TUF Brasil 1, Cézar Mutante faced the American Anthony Smith in the third fight of the night and ended up winning by unanimous decision from the judges with a convincing performance.
The duel was marked by the Brazilian's dominant wrestling game, which from start to finish, took Smith to the ground without difficulty. In the first round he applied two takedowns, in the second round he applied one and in the third round he applied two more takedowns, when he was more effective applying his strong ground and pound.
Mutante achieved his second consecutive victory in Ultimate and is in a more comfortable situation in the organization. Smith suffered his first defeat in his second fight in the UFC.
Check out the results of the TUF 23 Finale preliminary card
Gray Maynard derrotou Fernando Butcher by unanimous decision of the judges
Matheus Nicolau defeated John Moraga via split decision
Josh Stansbury defeated Cory Hendricks via majority decision
Mutant Caesar derrotou Anthony Smith by unanimous decision of the judges
Kevin Lee derrotou Jake matthews by technical knockout (punches) at 4:06 of R1
li jingliang defeated Anton Zafir by technical knockout (punches) at 2:40 of R1
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