J. Walker (photo) wins in his UFC debut. Photo: Reproduction / Twitter ufcbrasil
The name is English and resembles a well-known drink brand, but the talent is Brazilian. The light heavyweight Johnny Walker saved the country's performance on the main card of UFC Buenos Aires, an event held this Saturday (17).
The Brazilian athlete, born in Belfort Roxo, in the interior of Rio de Janeiro, was the only one from the country to win in the most important program of the show in Argentina. In a gala performance, he knocked out the American Khalil rountree brutally, in less than two minutes of fighting.
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In addition to Walker, Brazil was represented on the main card by two athletes: Cezar Mutant lost to Ian Heinisch in the judges' decision, while Poliana Botelho ended up finished by Cynthia calvillo.
Despite the poor performance on the main card, in the preliminary program Brazil did well: Michel Trator submitted Bartosz Fabinski, while Alexandre pantoja grabbed Ulka Sasaki's neck. On the other hand, the only setback on the opening card was from newcomer Anderson Berinja, who was beaten in the decision by Nad Narimani.
Johnny Walker debuts in the UFC with a brutal knockout against Khalil Rountree
Johnny Walker had already attracted attention during 'Dana White Contender Series Brasil', a program by the UFC president that aims to reveal new athletes for the franchise. On that occasion, the Brazilian defeated veteran Luiz Henrique Frankenstein and secured his contract with Ultimate. But in his first performance in the octagon, the Brazilian raised the audience's spirits.
Calm in the cage, Walker attacked and snubbed Rountree's attacks. In one of the North American's kicks, the Brazilian mocked the blow with a trailer (see the moment below). After the 'joke', he went on the attack to define the dispute: Johnny landed a high kick that shook his rival. The Belfort Roxo fighter went up and landed a counter elbow in the clinch. Rountree felt the blow and fell to the ground.
With a few more punches on top, the Brazilian Johnny Walker reached the technical knockout at 1m57s of the first round.
No nerves 😂@JohnnyWalkerMMA #UFCArgentina pic.twitter.com/kpxbAryLhx
- UFC (@ufc) November 18th, 2018
Mutant falls to newcomer
Heinisch (right) beats Mutante (left) Photo: Reproduction / Facebook @ufc
the rise of Cezar Mutant at middleweight there was a small drop. Coming from five wins in six fights, the Brazilian was surpassed by the newcomer Ian Heinisch in the unanimous decision of the judges and delayed the objective of returning to the ranking in the up to 84 kg category.
Mutante had a tactic drawn up to face Heinisch. Exchange blows without risking standing and take down whenever possible. The Brazilian accepted the fight on his feet at the beginning of the dispute, but when the North American attacked, he attacked his legs and took him down. However, Heinisch landed a guillotine choke and was close to finishing the fight. Cezar had difficulty getting out of position, but freed himself from the choke, without being able to attack from above. The North American also attacked with an armbar in the final seconds of the first round.
Mutante attempted a takedown at the beginning of the second round, but had to give in after Heinisch attacked his arm. The Brazilian accepted the fight standing up and had a small advantage in the partial. However, in the final seconds of the round, the North American connected with a right hand bomb and the Brazilian athlete suffered a knockdown. Ian still tried some punches, but Cezar was saved by the bell.
With a disadvantage on the judges' scorecards, Mutante returned to the third round very tired. He tried the takedown again, but Heinisch got up quickly. The more complete North American hit the Brazilian and scored points. Halfway through the session, Heinisch still managed to fall to the ground on top and landed short punches on Mutante's face. The fighter from São Paulo still managed to get up, but he didn't have the strength to fight back.
In the end, victory Ian Heinisch in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Poliana Botelho is submitted by Cynthia Calvillo
Calvillo (right) submitted Poliana. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook @ufc
In the only women's fight on the UFC Buenos Aires card, Cynthia calvillo suffered the first defeat in the octagon in the Brazilian Poliana Botelho. The fighter from Minas Gerais even managed to land good blows at the beginning of the dispute, but as soon as she managed to take the fight to the ground, the North American finished the duel with a fair rear naked choke.
Poliana started by kicking Calvillo to keep her distance, but in the fourth attack, the North American blocked and took down the Brazilian. She still managed to get up, but Cynthia gained confidence and loosened her game. Halfway through the partial she took down Poliana and went on to end the fight with an evolution: she took guard and worked with elbows to score points. With the Brazilian feeling it, Calvillo quickly attacked the back to land a tight rear-naked choke and finish the duel.
UFC Buenos Aires results
Main Card
Welterweight: Santiago Ponzinnibio defeated Neil Magny by knockout at 2m36s of R4
Featherweight: Ricardo Lamas defeated Darren Elkins by TKO at 4:09 of R3
Light Heavyweight: Johnny Walker derrotou Khalil rountree by knockout at 1m57s of R1
Average weight: Ian Heinisch derrotou Cezar Mutant in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight: Marlon Vera finished Guido cannetti with a rear naked choke at 1m31s of R2
Straw weight: Cynthia calvillo finished Poliana Botelho with a rear naked choke at 4m48s of R1
Preliminary Card
Welterweight Weight: Michel Tractor submitted Bartosz Fabinski with a guillotine 1m12s into R1
Fly weight: Alexandre pantoja submitted Ulka Sasaki with a rear naked choke at 2m18s of R1
Featherweight: Austin Arnett defeated Humberto Bandenay via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-27)
Welterweight Weight: Laureano Staropoli defeated Hector Aldana via unanimous decision (30×27, 30×27, 30×27).
Lightweight: Jesús Pinedo defeated Devin Powell via unanimous decision;
Feather weight: Nad Narimani derrotou Anderson Berinja in the unanimous decision of the judges (30×27, 30×27, 30×27).
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