UFC 207: Cara de Sapato beats Italian on preliminary card; Cowboy fight ends in no result

Sapato (right) beat Vettori (left) by points. (Photo: Getty Images)

The first Brazilian victory at UFC 207, held this Friday (30), in Las Vegas (USA), came via middleweight Antonio Shoe Guy, which surpassed Marvin vettori in the unanimous decision of the judges (triple 29×28) and started, for the first time, a winning streak in the organization (4-2-1). The Italian, who debuted by submitting Brazilian Alberto Uda, suffers his first defeat in Ultimate.

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The fight

The two fighters started circling the octagon, but Sapato accidentally punched his opponent in the left eye, interrupting the fight for a few minutes. Vettori returned to the fight, putting pressure on the Brazilian, who did little to respond. The fight was stopped again, this time by a finger in the eye applied by the Italian. Sapato returned, landing a good right on Marvin, looking for a takedown afterwards, well defended by his rival. In the clinch, the Brazilian insisted on the takedown and managed to take the fight to the ground, but for just a few seconds. In the final seconds, Antônio tried to land a hand triangle, without success.

The second round began with the Italian landing a good kick to the waist, but was taken down again by Shoe Face. The fight returned to standing, with the Brazilian throwing blows to the legs. Marvin stuck to the Brazilian and took the fight to the fence, looking for a takedown, but Antônio managed to free himself from the position. In the center of the octagon, the two started throwing blows into the void, until a blow from Vettori found the Brazilian's face, which he felt. The Italian went up trying to finish the fight, but the Brazilian defended himself well. On the ground, Marvin continued to strike from above, making his advantage in the round clear.

In the decisive round, Shoe Face came back looking to control the actions, delivering a good high kick. After changing positions in the clinch, the Brazilian managed to take the fight to the ground and fell on top, but Vettori managed to get up. The two returned to the center of the octagon, with little effectiveness from either. In the final minute, another takedown was applied by the Brazilian, who tried to get behind his opponent's back, but didn't have time to work.

Neil Magny beats Johny Hendricks in unanimous judges' decision 

Magny (right) defeated Hendricks (left) on the preliminary card. (Photo: Getty Images)

In the fight that closed the UFC 207 preliminary card, better for Neil Magny, who defeated John hendricks in the unanimous decision of the judges (triple 29×28) and returned to the path of victories. The former champion, in turn, was unable to overcome his bad phase and suffered his fourth defeat in five fights, the third in a row.

Hendricks started putting pressure on Magny with powerful punches, who responded with good kicks to the head and waistline. Hendricks closed the distance and took the fight to the ground, falling into his opponent's guard. On top, the former champion worked his elbows as he tried to sweep. Magny defended himself as best he could, until he landed a tight triangle on his opponent, who was saved by the bell.

The second round started with Johny taking the fight to the ground, falling on top again. The former champion remained on top, controlling the position for more than two minutes, until Magny managed to free himself and got to his feet, but was taken down again. The rhythm remained the same until the end of the round, with Neil trying to get up and Hendricks trying to keep the fight on the ground.

Magny came back more aggressive in the final round, landing good shots to the body. Apparently tired, Hendricks took little risk in striking. The fight remained warm, with the two in the center of the octagon, without much effectiveness. Johny landed a good left blow and sought the clinch, trying to take the fight to the ground, but Neil 'opened the base' and defended himself well. After much insistence, Hendricks applied a beautiful takedown and “nailed” his rival with his back on the ground. In the final seconds, film repeated from the first round, with Magny trying a triangle, but again he didn't have time to work.

Alex Garcia delivers brutal knockout to Mike Pyle 

Garcia applies a blow that 'erased' Pyle. (Photo: Getty Images)

Brutal! This is how the knockout applied by Alex Garcia in Mike pyle, in the third fight of the preliminary card. 12 years younger than his opponent, Alex, 29, didn't give the 41-year-old veteran a chance and dispatched him in the first round, recording his fourth victory in the organization and, consequently, imposing Pyle's eighth defeat in Ultimate.

Garcia started the fight by cornering Pyle against the big man and landing a strong kick to the waist. Alex went to his rival's legs and applied the takedown. On top, in the 100kg position, he threw knees at the torso, but Mike managed to free himself and stayed on his feet. The two exchanged blows in the center of the octagon, until Garcia landed a violent right blow straight to Pyle's chin, who fell unconscious.

Niko Price debuts by submitting Brandon Thatch 

Price submitted Brandon on the preliminary card. (Photo: Getty Images)

Niko Price He only had his first fight in the UFC, but he has already shown that he is here to stay. In the second fight of the night, the debutant submitted Brandon thatch in the first round and debuted on the right foot in the new home. Thatch, in turn, suffered his fourth consecutive defeat in the organization – all by submission – and is at serious risk of being fired.

Thatch started to surround and land some blows on Price's leg, who tried to respond with punches. Niko caught the time of his opponent's kick and took the fight to the ground, landing on top. From below, Brandon tried to land a kimura, well defended by his rival, who got rid of the submission and tried to apply a katagatame, without success. However, Price continued to put pressure on, went to the back and used another katagatame, forcing Thatch to give three taps in withdrawal. After the fight, Price received his brown belt in jiu-jitsu from his trainers, still in the octagon.

Tim Means applies illegal blows to Alex Cowboy and fight ends without result

Means applied illegal knees to Cowboy. (Photo: Getty Images)

In the first fight of the night, a result that pleased neither side. The fight between Alex Cowboy e Tim means 'No contest' was declared (fight without result), after the North American applied two illegal knees to the Brazilian, who was unable to return to the fight.

The fight started with Means risking a high kick, which ended up in the Brazilian's guard. Cowboy tried to apply a takedown, but the North American dodged and took the Brazilian down. The fight returned to standing, and Alex landed a beautiful round kick, knocking Means down. The “Dirty Bird” recovered quickly and got back to his feet, knocking “Cowboy” down again. In the big one, Means applied two illegal knees to Alex, who was in three supports, forcing the referee to stop the fight. However, Cowboy was unable to recover and was removed from the Octagon. Therefore, the fight was declared 'No Contest' (fight without result).

PRELIMINARY CARD

Welterweight Weight: Neil Magny derrotou John hendricks by unanimous decision of the judges (29×28, 29×28, 29×28)

Average weight: Antonio Shoe Guy derrotou Marvin vettori by unanimous decision of the judges (29×28, 29×28, 29×28)

Welterweight: Alex Garcia defeated Mike pyle by knockout at 3m34s of R1

Welterweight Weight: Niko Price derrotou Brandon thatch via submission (katagatame) at 4m30s of R1

Welterweight Weight: Alex Cowboy e Tim means – Fight without result (No Contest)