AFC 2: Bustamante repeats 2002 and beats Menne in Manaus

Murilo Bustamante (left) beat Dave Menne (right) in AFC 2. Photo: Susumu Nagao

Ten years after knocking out Dave Menne and winning the UFC belt, Brazilian Murilo Bustamante did it again this Saturday (31). This time, in a very balanced fight, Murilo beat the North American by unanimous decision from the judges, in a confrontation that may have been his last appearance as a professional MMA fighter.

The fight between Bustamante and Menne was the main attraction of the second edition of Amazon Forest Combat (AFC), an event held at Arena Amadeu Lacerda, in Manaus.

The fight started with Murilo closing the distance and taking down Menne. The Brazilian managed to establish his good ground game, placing good positions and working on top. However, without fighting since 2010, Bustamante, 45, felt the rhythm of the fight in the second round. With that, it was the North American's turn to land the best strikes in his striking and stay on top most of the time on the ground.

In the last and decisive round, Murilo managed a takedown, but Menne managed to get up and return to striking. With just over a minute remaining, it was the North American's turn to land on top and end the duel with an advantage on the ground. At the end of the 15 regulatory minutes, the three judges scored Murilo Bustamante's victory.

Thales avenges defeat to Horwich
After going through several physical problems in the last year, with several injuries, the Brazilian Thales leites He took a weight off his shoulders in AFC 2. The Nova União athlete defeated Matt Horwich, the only fighter to have beaten him since leaving the UFC in 2009.

The Canadian had a better start to the fight, taking the Brazilian down and working on top with some blows. But in the second round, it was Thales' turn to take him down and show the efficiency of his jiu-jitsu. After reaching mount, Leites used the katagatame and forced Matt to give up the fight. With the triumph, Thales adds 20 wins and four losses to his record, making it his sixth triumph since leaving Ultimate.

Check out the complete AFC 2 results below:

Murilo Bustamante defeated Dave Menne via unanimous decision by the judges;
Satoshi Ishii vs. Rameau Sokoudjou – Fight cancelled;
Thales leites submitted Matt Horwich with a triangle choke in R2;
Patrick Coté defeated Gustavo Ximú by technical knockout in R2;
Pete Spratt defeated Daniel Acácio via unanimous decision:
Ronnie Torres defeated Ferrid Kheder by technical knockout in R1;;
Dileno Lopes defeated Javier Ocampo by technical knockout;
Emiliano Sordi submitted Fabiano Capoani;
Rivaldo Jr. defeated Marcelo red in the unanimous decision of the judges;