Watch UFC São Paulo this Saturday

L. Machida (left) catches D. Brunson (right) Photo: Reproduction Youtube UFC

Ultimate arrives in São Paulo this Saturday (28) for the last event organized in Brazil in 2017. The promotion puts the chips on the return of Lyoto Machida. Former light heavyweight champion, “Dragão” returns from an 18-month suspension to return to the middleweight rankings, facing Derek Brunson, dangerous wrestler who is coming off a victory over Dan Kelly.

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In the co-main fight of the night, Demian Maia returns after a frustrating defeat to the champion Tyron woodley, to try to stay relevant at welterweight against the promising Colby covington, another talented wrestler with a lot of confidence. In addition to the two icons of Brazilian MMA, the UFC Sao Paulo will also have names like Francisco Massaranduba, Antonio “Shoe Face”, John Lineker and Thiago Marreta in action, in addition to foreigners such as Jim Miller, Rob font and the undefeated Niko price.

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To get you into the mood UFC Sao Paulo, we have prepared five reasons for you to attend the event.

1) The return of the Dragon

Lyoto hasn't fought in 28 months (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC)

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At 39 years old, having been away from the Octagon for 28 months and coming off two consecutive defeats, Lyoto Machida His career in the UFC resumes this Saturday. The path, according to the fighter himself, has a certain path: the top of the middleweight division. To do this, you will have to go through the hard work. Derek Brunson, who is hungry for a spot in the top 5 of the category.

Despite the inactive time, Dragão did not lose its relevance within the organization. To give you an idea, this will be the Brazilian's seventh main fight in a row, the tenth in total. The status of former light heavyweight champion combined with dangerous and unpredictable karate make Lyoto a real threat to the division's elite. Against Brunson, his takedown defense will have to be up to date so that his arm can once again be raised in the center of the octagon and, finally, return to fighting for his biggest objective: the belt.

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“I'm not going back to fight just to fight. There is no activity that I do just to do it, just for the money. It's a set of things, and this set has to have a greater objective, and my objective is to be champion in this category. It’s a category that is very competitive, so I have to have this objective, have this challenge”, declared Machida.

2) Clash of generations

Demian and Covington have a duel of generations (Photo: Reproduction/Youtube/UFC)

Three months after wasting his chance to become welterweight champion with a loss to Tyron woodley, Demian Maia returns to the Octagon with the mission of defending Brazil's honor against Colby covington. The North American has been harshly criticizing the country and has already established a hateful relationship with the fans by criticizing the traditional “Uh, he’s going to die”.

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Demian was in a similar situation at UFC 198, when Matt Brown got stressed out by fans and the jiu-jitsu world champion was tasked with “revenge” the fans in the Octagon. Just like last time, the welterweight disagreed, but assured that he will go in search of a historic victory, literally at home: Maia was born and raised on the mats of Arena Ibirapuera and has even fought in the UFC in the gym.

The fight has also been seen as a clash of generations, as Covington is just starting out in MMA and Demian will turn 40 on November 8th and is one of the biggest winners in UFC history – in fact, if he beats the American, the Brazilian will reach 20 triumphs in Ultimate and will tie with the current holder of the record for victories, Michael Bisping.

3) UFC veterans duel

Experienced lightweights face off on the main card (Photo: Photo: Reproduction Facebook/Montagem SL)

Experienced lightweights face off (Photo: Photo: Reproduction Facebook/Montagem SL)

When Francisco Massaranduba e Jim Miller face each other in the UFC octagon, a lot of experience will be at stake. While the charismatic Brazilian already has 15 fights at home, the North American boasts an impressive 27 duels in the organization. The two combined reach a total of 42 fights. Is it little or do you want more?

Coming from TUF Brasil 1, massaranduba He is always a fan favorite when he plays on Brazilian soil – it is no coincidence that he is going to his 13th challenge in Brazil. Before being finalized by Kevin Lee, last March, reached the top 15 of the lightweight division after achieving seven consecutive victories, beating names such as Paul felder and Ross Pearson.

Miller, in turn, is far from being at his best. In recent years, it is normal to see him interspersing good and bad results, as in the victories against Thiago Pitbull e Joe lauzon, which were overshadowed by the defeats against Dustin poirier e Anthony Pettis.

In the veterans' duel, whoever leaves with their arm raised at the end of the match can once again think about reaching greater heights.

4) Generation The Ultimate Fighter

Trio comes from the UFC reality show (Photo: Photo: Reproduction Facebook/Montagem SL)

Besides massaranduba, three other names present on the card were ‘created’ from the reality show The Ultimate Fighter: Thiago Marreta, member of TUF Brasil 2, Antonio Shoe Guy, winner of the third season in Brazil, and Vincent Luque, who participated in the 21st edition of the American TUF.

Number 15 in the middleweight rankings, Marreta is synonymous with pure violence. Owner of lethal kicks and heavy hands, the Rio native achieved six of his seven Ultimate victories by knockout, all brutally. The defeats for Gegard Mousasi and Eric Spicely delayed him a little, but the path towards the elite has already begun to be retraced. It will be Jack hermansson the next victim?

At just 24 years old, Sapato arrived at the UFC full of expectations, but the beginning was troubled, with just one victory and four fights. However, in September 2016, the tide began to turn: since then there have been three good results, including two submissions from the jiu-jitsu ace. If he gets past Jack Marshman, the middleweight ranking could become a reality.

The youngest of the trio, Luque, just 25 years old, has just over two years in the UFC, but his record is already full with four positive results and two negative results. The fourth engagement, in fact, was made in sequence, over a period of 11 months, feats that placed him in the top 15 of the welterweight divisions. A good presentation against Niko Price could put the Brasiliense back in the spotlight of the under-77kg division.

5) Promise of anarchy

Brazilian trio is aggressive inside the Octagon (Photo: Photo: Reproduction Facebook/Montagem SL)

* By João Vitor Xavier

In addition to promises, veterans and idols of Brazilian MMA, the UFC Sao Paulo it will also feature some knockout promises. Bantamweight John Lineker, who has not yet fought this year and is coming off a loss to TJ Dillashaw, is one of them. With an impressive record full of great knockouts, “Mãos de Pedra” faces the dangerous Marlon Vera and seeks to return to the winning routine that placed him among the best in the world at bantamweight and flyweight.

Yes, Peter Munhoz, who literally fights at home, will face a great challenge when facing Rob font. The American is coming off two big wins after losing to Lineker at UFC 198 in May last year and is looking for another knockout. More complete, Munhoz has great kicks, heavy hands and has the ability to take the fight to the ground, especially with guillotines.

Finally, Elizeu Capoeira arrives in São Paulo after a great performance against Lyman Good, in UFC Long Island. On that occasion, the CM System fighter won the Fight of the Night award, in addition to the victory over the former Bellator champion. Against Max griffin, the Brazilian will try to impose his insane pace again and will be looking for another knockout for his record.