Ultimate returns to the Netherlands with a duel of giants at UFC Rotterdam

Volkov (left) and Struve (right) take part in the main fight (Photo: Reproduction Twitter ufc_brasil)

After organizing just one show in August and focusing his efforts on promoting Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor, Ultimate returns to its normal schedule in September. UFC Fight Night Rotterdam rocks the Netherlands this Saturday afternoon (2) with a duel of giants in the main fight. The owner of house Stefan struve, 2,13m, and the Russian Alexander Volkov, 2,04m, duel with an eye on the top-5 heavyweights.

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In addition to the main fight, UFC Rotterdam features four Brazilians in action, including a newcomer: Talita Bernardo begins her career in the promotion against the experienced Marion Reneau in the women's bantamweight, CM System representative Felipe Silva takes on Mairbek Taisumov and Michel Trator measures forces with Mads Burnell, in two fights in the lightweight category.

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In the light heavyweight division, Francimar Bodão tries to start a winning streak and welcomes the newcomer Aleksandar rakic, who has eight wins and just one loss in his career. Also noteworthy is the duel between Bryan barberena, the “promise killer”, and Leon edwards, from England.

Duel of giants

Winner can pinch top-5 (Photo: Reproduction Instagram ufceurope)

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In the scorched earth that the heavyweight division has become, it's not a stretch to think that Volkov or Struve could break into the top-5 with a win this Saturday. After all, the Russian is seventh in the category ranking, while the Dutchman is eighth. The attention of the main fight, however, should really be focused on Volkov.

Even without convincing, the former Bellator fighter arrived at the UFC accredited as champion of M-1 Global, a Russian event, and won two victories in the Octagon, beating Timothy Johnson and Roy Nelson, both in the judges' decision. At 2,04m, Volkov is not used to facing fighters taller than him, and getting past Struve, especially with an interruption, will show Ultimate's bosses that he is ready for bigger flights. And this could even mean a fight that puts him in a position to challenge for the title, as options are becoming increasingly scarce for him. Stipe Miocic, current heavyweight champion.

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Newcomer x forty-year-old

M. Reneau (left) and T. Bernardo (right): historic duel (Photo: Reproduction Youtube UFC)

The only women's duel of the Dutch night would be worth the return of the former champion Germaine DeRandamie to bantamweight, after giving up the featherweight title to avoid facing Chris Cyborg. GDR, however, suffered an injury and was forced to leave the fight against Marion Reneau. In its place, Ultimate will promote the debut of Brazilian Talita Bernardo.

However, the fight is not remarkable just for that reason. Number 11 in the bantamweight rankings, Reneau will make history when he steps into the Octagon at UFC Rotterdam. The “Belizean Bruiser” turned 40 on June 20th and will officially become the first “forty-something” woman to fight for Ultimate. A remarkable fact as this should become increasingly common, mainly due to the longevity of some athletes observed in men's MMA. Names like Dan Henderson and Randy Couture competed until they were almost 50 years old. With just 11 professional MMA fights, will Reneau make history again in 10 years?

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Other Brazilians

Taisumov (left): toughness for F. Silva (right) (Photo: Reproduction Instagram ufceurope)

Before the two fights already mentioned, UFC Rotterdam will feature three Brazilians. Francimar Bodão will welcome the dangerous Aleksandar rakic trying to start a winning streak, as it comes from a triumph over its rival Darren stewart. If he has his hand raised again in Rotterdam, Bodão can now even dream of entering the 93 kg ranking.

Also in the preliminary portion of the event, Michel Trator will try for his fifth consecutive victory against Mads Burnell. After failing to make the lightweight limit by 1,3 kg, the Brazilian was punished with 20% of his purse, but if he stays focused he has everything he needs to beat another UFC newcomer – this is because Burnell is used to fighting at the weight pity.

Finally, Felipe Silva will make his second appearance in the UFC and is already facing a challenger: the experienced Russian Mairbek Taisumov, who has won four in a row – all by knockout. Representing CM System, Silva is also not far behind: he knocked out Shane Campbell in his Ultimate debut and, in his last fight before signing with the UFC, he also managed to knock out the veteran, ex-Ultimate, Anton Kuivanen.