UFC Pittsburg brings back former champion and two Brazilians in action

L. Rockhold (left) returns against D. Branch (right) (Photo: Reproduction Twitter ufc_brasil)

This Saturday's UFC Pittsburgh (16) had two major casualties involving Brazilians throughout the week, but continues with great attractions. Former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, who hasn't fought since June last year when he was defeated by Michael Bisping and lost his belt, he faces David Branch in the main event.

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The second most important fight of the night would feature Thiago “Pitbull” Alves, who would face Mike “Platinum” Perry at welterweight. However, the Brazilian was stuck in Florida due to Hurricane Irma and was unable to travel to Pittsburgh – he will be replaced by the debutant Alex Reyes, who has a record of 12 wins and three losses.

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In the preliminary portion of the show, another Brazilian was forced to leave his fight. Felipe Sertanejo would face Luke sanders, but suffered from the weight cut and was banned from fighting. As a result, UFC Pittsburgh will only have two Brazilians. The jiu-jitsu world champion Serginho Moraes faces Kamaru Usman, at welterweight, while the lightweight Gilbert Durinho has the first fight of the night against Jason Saggo.

In search of redemption

L. Rockhold returns after more than a year away (Photo: Reproduction Twitter ufc)

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In June 2016, Luke Rockhold his life changed after the fight against Michael Bisping. Disdaining the challenger, who replaced Chris Weidman With less than two weeks to go until UFC 199, the then champion was knocked out in the first round, losing the title he won against Weidman to the Brit.

After that, Rockhold began to dedicate himself to his modeling career and said he would only fight again if the UFC renegotiated his contract. After exchanging barbs with Dana White in the press, Luke signed to face Ronaldo Jacare at the end of last year, but ended up getting injured. He tried to return earlier, but declared that no one wanted to face him. David Branch, former WSOF light heavyweight and middleweight champion, accepted the challenge.

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The two face each other in the main fight of UFC Pittsburgh and Branch, who beat Krystof Jotko in his UFC debut, has the advantage of being more active – and more accustomed to five-round fights. Nothing to worry Rockhold, who maintained his tough attitude and assured that his opponent is not at his level – just as he had said about Bisping. UFC Pittsburgh will clear the doubt…

Ranking in sight

S. Moraes seeks entry into the ranking (Photo: Reproduction Instagram serginhomoraes)

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after the loss of Thiago Pitbull e Felipe Sertanejo, Brazilian MMA will be represented this Saturday (16) by two big names in jiu-jitsu: Gilbert Durinho e Serginho Moraes. “Pantera” Moraes will have one of the greatest challenges of his career against Kamaru Usman, number 13 in the welterweight rankings, who has five wins in five UFC fights.

Champion of the 21st season of The Ultimate Fighter, Usman is known for his top-notch wrestling, physical strength and increasingly better striking. Serginho has also improved his standing skills since becoming André Dida's student at Evolution Thai. As he will face a world jiu-jitsu champion, it is possible that the Nigerian will hold back on the takedowns and try to hurt the “Pantera” with punches and kicks before seeking the platform.

However, the Brazilian knows that, if he beats Usman, he will finally be ranked. Serginho has been demanding a top-10 opponent and his UFC resume is also impressive: six wins, one loss and one draw in eight fights. One more triumph and his demand must be met by Ultimate. Checking out…

Recovery fight

G. Durinho (photo) seeks recovery against Saggo (Photo: Reproduction Twitter gilbertdurinho)

While Serginho Moraes aims for the top-15 at UFC Pittsburgh, the other Brazilian on the card, Gilbert Durinho, has a different mission. The lightweight needs to recover from the defeat to Michel Trator, in UFC Brasilia from a year ago. Since then, he has had to deal with some injuries and finally returns to the octagon, against the dangerous Jason Saggo.

Like Durinho, the Canadian is known for his ground game, but Gilbert's level is different, so Saggo should invest in striking. Excellent opportunity for the Brazilian to show his evolution by training with Henri Hooft, one of the best striking coaches in MMA. Having his first fight of the night, the jiu-jitsu black belt knows that just one victory is not enough to get him back on track. The idea is to win and convince, preferably with a submission or a knockout.