UFC Rio 2: On a Brazilian night, Aldo knocks out Mendes and goes into the arms of the fans

Historic! This is the best definition for the second edition of UFC Rio, an event held this Saturday night (14), at the HSBC Arena, in the capital of Rio de Janeiro. With the responsibility of opening the 2012 Ultimate season, the fight program did not disappoint and brought electrifying duels, as well as knockouts and spectacular finishes, worthy of one of the best cards in recent years in the organization.

In the main fight of the night, José Aldo proved why he is considered one of the best fighters in the world across all categories. Against the hitherto undefeated Chad Mendes, the Brazilian dominated the fight and achieved victory in spectacular fashion, defending the UFC featherweight division belt (up to 66kg) for the third time.

At the beginning of the fight, José started tactically, working combinations well and avoiding the North American's takedown attempts. In the only moment that Chad managed to close the distance and pin the Brazilian against the fence, Aldo managed to escape in a sensational way. After defending two takedown attempts, the champion got out of the clinch with a spin and then, with a beautiful knee, he took Mendes to the ground, who was almost knocked out. The Brazilian wasted no time and continued the punishment on the ground, until referee Mário Yamazaki interrupted the duel.

Euphoric with his triumph, Aldo jumped over the bars of the octagon and went to the seats, where the fans were and was carried by the public. The event's security guards took action and tried to take the fighter back to the fighting area. Back in the octagon, the champion praised the fans and the public's support.

“To this wonderful audience, thank you. (The victory) is for you, I had to do this fight for you. Thank you to everyone, I’m very happy,” said Aldo upon returning to the octagon.

Belfort suffers, but beats Jonhson
In the second most important fight of the night, Vitor belfort He got off to a difficult start against the American Anthony Jonhson, who started the fight by putting pressure on him with line strikes and trying to take down the Brazilian. But halfway through the first round, Anthony already felt the rhythm of the fight and Belfort went on the attack. With an incredible sequence of blows applied by the Brazilian, the North American went to the ground. Without wasting time, Vitor got to his back, locked in a rear-naked choke and brought the audience at the HSBC Arena to their feet, shouting “the champion is back”.

Without any fear, Toquinho submits Massenzio
After some incidents in their combats, Rousimar Toquinho He even went to see a psychologist to keep his focus solely on the fight. And at UFC Rio, the Brazilian had no problems and achieved a beautiful finish in his career. Before Mike massenzio, the athlete from Minas Gerais didn't want to waste time and soon shortened the distance to take the contest to the ground. Even though he fell on the bottom, the Tupiniquim black belt went on the attack with his specialty: the kneebar. With a fair blow, the North American gave up the fight and Toquinho scored his third consecutive victory in the organization.

After the fight, Rousimar showed a banner honoring his jiu-jitsu coach Eraldo Paes, who passed away on the 24th from cancer.

Erick silva is disqualified and Carlos Prater wins on debut
In the 100% Brazilian duel on the main card, Erick silva started in a mind-boggling way against Carlos Prater. With just over 20 seconds, Erick landed a knee strike followed by a straight shot that took his opponent to the ground. Without wasting time, Silva connected several punches on the ground until the referee ended the dispute. However, when he was already celebrating the triumph, Erick was informed that he had been disqualified for having connected several blows to the back of Prater's head. The public didn't like the decision and booed referee Mário Yamazaki.

Edson Barboza raises the crowd with a beautiful knockout

In the first fight on the main card, Edson Barboza raised the crowd present at the HSBC Arena. The duel against the English Terry emo It was very competitive and with a lot of striking.

In the third round, one of the most spectacular moments in UFC history. Barboza calculated the distance, supported the base and with a beautiful spinning kick, hit the chin of the English fighter who already fell unconscious, in one of the organization's most beautiful knockouts.

Thiago tavares guarantees another Brazilian victory on the night
The Brazilian Thiago tavares is known for exciting fights from start to finish and the second edition of UFC Rio was no different. In the face of hard Sam stout, the Tupiniquim athlete started the fight by putting pressure and taking down his opponent. On the ground, Thiaguinho controlled the fight with a few strikes from above and took the first round.

In the second round, however, the American defended Tavares' takedown attempts well and the fight was even, just in terms of striking. Thiago had a slight advantage in the third round, but a sequence of blows from Stout caused the Brazilian to bend his knee and almost suffer a knockdown. Even with difficulties, the Brazilian managed to stay in the fight until the bell sounded and won by unanimous decision from the judges.

In Brazilian duel, Napão submits Lula
Gabriel Napao is back in the UFC. After announcing his retirement and going back, the black belt gave a great performance in front of his compatriot Ednaldo Lula. At the beginning of the fight, Ednaldo connected the best blows, taking advantage of his greater reach, but Napão soon sought out the Bahian athlete's legs and took the fight to the ground. Lost, Lula tried to get up, but ended up caught in a tight rear-naked choke.

Marajo defeats Omigawa with controversy
With the right to controversy, Iuri Marajó played hard against the Japanese Michihiro Omigawa, but managed to impose his best striking and score the second consecutive victory in the organization. Better at the start of the contest, Marajó imposed his pace and dominated the fight until he took down the Japanese athlete and worked on top. With just a few seconds left in the opening round, Marajó got a fair arm-bar, but just as Omigawa was about to give up, the bell sounded and saved the Japanese. In the second round, the Brazilian returned, connecting the best punches while standing and taking the advantage. However, in the last round, already feeling the rhythm of the fight, Omigawa managed to take down the Brazilian and keep the fight on top, but there were greater risks for Iuri. In the end, victory Iuri Marajó in the unanimous decision of the judges.

 Mike pyle knocks out  Richard Funch
The only Brazilian defeat in fights against foreigners occurred on the preliminary card. Richard Funch, who was called up in a hurry to replace the injured Paulo thiago, had a very complicated mission upon his return to the UFC. The Tupiniquim athlete faced the toughest Mike pyle and ended up being knocked out right at the beginning of the fight. The North American closed the distance and with an excellent combination took Ricardo to the ground. Without wasting time, Pyle connected two more punches on the ground until the referee ended the fight. After the triumph, Pyle provoked the crowd by putting his hand to his ear and asking for silence. However, during his post-fight interview, the American was heavily booed by the audience at the HSBC Arena.

Sertanejo surprises and wins first
One of the few Brazilians considered an underdog at UFC Rio, Felipe Sertanejo surprised Canadian Antônio “Pato”  Carvalho and raised the audience’s spirits in the first fight of the event. At the beginning of the dispute, the Canadian athlete managed to take down the Brazilian and maintain the dispute at the top. Halfway through the first round, Sertanejo managed to get up and continue in the fight. In the second round, the fight continued with striking with slight superiority for the Brazilian athlete who connected the best blows. With the dispute tied, the third round was decisive and Felipe showed that he was willing to achieve his first victory in the organization. After defending a takedown from Pato, the São Paulo native fell on top and threw several elbows that opened Carvalho's face. At the end of 15 minutes, victory for Felipe Sertanejo in the unanimous decision of the judges (29×28, 29×28, 29×28). Very emotional, Felipe climbed into the Octagon, cried and thanked the fans for their support.

“I only achieved this victory because you supported me. This victory is yours”, said Sertanejo.

Check out the complete results from UFC Rio 2 below:

Main Card

José Aldo derrotou Chad Mendes by knockout in R1;

Vitor belfort finished Anthony Johnson with a rear naked choke in R1;

Rousimar Toquinho finished Mike massenzio with a kneebar on R1;

Carlos Prater derrotou Erick silva by disqualification (blow never)

Edson Barboza derrotou Terry emo by knockout in R3;

Preliminary Card

Thiago tavares derrotou Sam stout in the unanimous decision of the judges

Gabriel Napao finished Ednaldo Lula with a rear naked choke in R1;

Iuri Marajó derrotou Michihiro Omigawa in the unanimous decision of the judges

Mike pyle derrotou Richard Funch by knockout in R1;

Felipe Sertanejo defeated Antonio “Pato” Carvalho via unanimous decision by the judges;

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