Vitor Belfort knocks out Luke Rockhold in the main event of UFC on FX 8 in Brazil. Photo via UFC Facebook.
Vitor Belfort is truly a phenomenon. Star of numerous UFC events in Brazil, the middleweight proved why he is considered one of the best in the UFC with a first-round knockout of Luke Rockhold.
Belfort started to fight more aggressively, breaking up and landing hard shots to his opponent. With a spinning back kick, the Brazilian knocked Rockhold down, following that up with strikes on the ground to close out the fight.
Belfort needed just over two minutes to knock out the last Strikeforce champion. When interviewed, the victor said he only wants to continue doing what he loves, which is to fight, and get many more victories. In addition, Belfort asked the audience to support Anderson Silva in his next challenge against Chris Weidman on July 6. Is he thinking of facing the winner of this match?
Photo via UFC Facebook
“Jacare” Souza delights fans, subs Chris Camozzi in first round
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza has Jiu-Jitsu in his DNA.
The black belt entered the Arena Jaragua dancing excitedly. The fight began, Camozzi managed to land a high kick that full-on hit the face of Brazilian, but Jacare was only waiting for the right time to take the fight where he likes: The ground.
When he widened the gap, it was only a matter of time. With Jacare transitioning from mount, he locked on the arm triangle. The Brazilian sank in the choke — a particularly tight one — quickly finishing his opponent at the 3:08 mark of the first round.
Following the win, Jacare was asked, if given the chance, who he would like to face between Vitor Belfort and Luke Rockhold. He replied: “The Winner.”
Rafael dos Anjos gets controversial decision over Evan Dunham
Although the scores read 29-28 across the board, most the of the MMA world disputed the outcome of the Rafael dos Anjos-Evan Dunham fight.
Despite the protest from the fans and most analysts, dos Anjos agreed with the judges’ scores.
“I lost my balance in the first round and was taken down,” he said, adding, “but I was confident I had won the second and the third rounds.”
Rafael Natal grabs unanimous decision over former Jiu-Jitsu rival
The two faced each other in the Jiu-Jitsu world years ago as brown belts, and met again on Saturday in the Octagon.
Rafael Natal and João Zeferino went back and forth in the 50/50 guard in the first round, but Zeferino had no energy for the two remaining rounds, giving Natal the chance to outwork him for the unanimous decision, 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.
Here are the full results for the UFC on FX 8 card:
Main Card (FX):
Vitor Belfort def. Luke Rockhold via KO (spinning back kick, strikes) at 2:32, R1
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza def. Chris Camozzi via submission (arm triangle) at 3:37, R1
Rafael dos Anjos def. Evan Dunham via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Rafael Natal def. João Zeferino via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Preliminary Card (Fuel TV):
Nik Lentz def. Hacran Dias via unanimous decision (28-27, 29-28 x2)
Francisco Trinaldo def. Mike Rio via submission (arm triangle) at 3:08, R1
Gleison Tibau def. John Cholish via submission (guillotine) at 2:34, R2
Paulo Thiago def. Mitchel Prazeres via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Yuri Alcantara def. Iliarde Santos via TKO (strikes) at 2:31, R1
Fabio Maldonado def. Roger Hollet via unanimous decision (29-27 x2, 29-28)
Preliminary Card (Facebook):
John Lineker def. Azamat Gashimov via TKO (strikes) at 1:07, R2
Jussier Formiga def. Chris Cariaso via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Lucas Martins def. Jeremy Larsen via knockout (punch) at 0:13, R3