Weidman in search of redemption and Brazilian promises are attractions at UFC Long Island

UFC Long Island takes place this Saturday (22) (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/Montagem SL)

O UFC Long Island, which takes place this Saturday (22), in the United States, brings a card full of Brazilians and relevant names from different categories, including the participation of a former champion. In the most important fight of the show, Chris Weidman tries to return to the path of victories against the young Kelvin Gastelum. Coming off three consecutive defeats, the 'All American' will have to get past the TUF 17 champion if he still wants to be considered relevant in the division he once reigned.

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In the duel that opens the main portion, two promising young bantamweight athletes promise to excite fans who enjoy good striking. Undefeated in the UFC, Jimmie rivera faces Thominhas Almeida, considered one of the main Brazilian promises in MMA. Still on the main card, Dennis Bermudez and Darren Elkins face each other in the featherweight division, while Patrick Cummins and Gian Villante measure strength in the light heavyweight category.

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In addition to Thominhas, five other Brazilians are present on the card: Elizeu Capoeira, Rafael Natal, Alex Cowboy, Junior Baby and Geoffrey Pepey, who face Lyman Good, Erik Anders, Ryan LaFlare, Timothy Johnson and Shane burgos, respectively. Interestingly, all Brazilian fighters are underdogs in the betting shops.

Opposite phases

Weidman (left) and Gastelum (right) take part in the main fight (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/Montagem SL)

Weidman and Gastelum do the main fight (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/Montagem SL)

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Worldwide known for hitting Anderson Silva twice, Chris Weidman lives a true astral hell. After three title defenses against Brazilians (Anderson, Lyoto Machida e Vitor belfort, the North American was dethroned when he was knocked out by Luke Rockhold, in December 2015. Since then, he has suffered two more setbacks, both by knockout: he lost to Yoel romero e Gegard Mousasi. This Saturday, a fourth stumble in a row could mean the end of Weidman's career at middleweight, as the fighter himself has already signaled a possible move up to light heavyweight.

In the opposite phase, Gastelum has not lost since 2015, when he stopped in Neil Magny. Since then, hit John hendricks (at welterweight) on points and knocked out Tim Kennedy and Vitor belfort, but saw the triumph over the Brazilian become I didn't answer after being caught in a drug test for marijuana use. At just 25 years old, the Kings MMA product wants to prove that he can stand up to the middleweight elite, even though he is considerably short for the division – he is 1,75m tall.

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Roosters' duel of promises

Thominhas and Rivera fight for the top of the roosters (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/Montagem SL)

The results and actions of Thomas almeida e Jimmie rivera explain why the two fighters are considered real candidates for the position of future bantamweight champion. Young, aggressive and with impressive records that total 42 victories and only two defeats, the duo, in theory, has everything to deliver a fight full of emotions.

After suffering the only setback of his career against the current champion cody garbrandt, Thominhas recovered by knocking out the unknown Albert Morales in the UFC Sao Paulo, in November 2016. It is worth noting that the Chute Boxe-SP athlete received a performance bonus for the night in the five triumphs he achieved in Ultimate. Is there another bonus coming?

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Undefeated in the UFC, Rivera, number 4 in the bantamweight rankings, wants to achieve his fifth consecutive victory to get even closer to a place in a title fight. Facing Brazilian athletes, in fact, is nothing new for him. In Ultimate alone there have been two victims: Peter Munhoz e Iuri Marajó. In his most recent duel, he beat the now retired Urijah faber.

More Brazilians in action

Legion of Brazilians on the preliminary card (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/Montagem SL)

Of the nine fights on the preliminary card, five feature Brazilians in action. The first to step into the octagon will be the featherweight Geoffrey Pepey, finalist of TUF Brasil 1. With four victories in the last five fights, the Ceará native will have a tough mission ahead of him: taking the undefeated and dangerous man's unbeaten record Shane burgos.

Also being tested is newcomer Junior Baby Albini. Riding on the back of nine consecutive victories in national competitions, the Brazilian heavyweight will face the experienced Timothy Johnson, 12th in the heavyweight rankings. Another newcomer on the night is the North American Erik Anders, former LFA champion. Who will welcome the debutante is Rafael Sapo, from Minas Gerais, who already has 16 fights in the UFC. Coming from two consecutive setbacks, Sapo knows he needs to have his hand raised again to avoid the risk of dismissal.

The other two representatives from Brazil are in the welterweight division. With six positive results, two negative results and one unsuccessful fight, Alex Cowboy It took him just over two years to rise from anonymity to the position of favorite of the Brazilian fans. With victories against names like Will Brooks (former Bellator lightweight champion) and Tim means, the Rio native faces the tough Ryan LaFlare, who only lost to Demian Maia in 14 fights as a professional. Whoever wins should guarantee a place in the top 15 of the under-77kg division.

Last but not least, is Elizeu Capoeira. After debuting with a defeat, the Paraná native recovered and has already won two victories at home. To continue the good moment, he faces the North American Lyman Good, inactive since July 2015. The fight closes the preliminary portion.