TUF Brazil 2 Finale, held Saturday, June 8, set a couple of new UFC records. Gymnasium Paulo Sarasete in Fortaleza saw 12 great bouts, with 100 percent Brazilian wins, as well as a true submission fest.
Saturday’s card also broke the record for number of submissions in a UFC event with eight, surpassing the previous record of six.
Check out highlights and pictures below
In a rematch, Werdum bests Minotauro
A two-time black-belt Jiu-Jitsu world champion, Fabrício Werdum subs Minotauro, seven years after losing to him. Photo: Carol Correia
Fabrício Werdum and Rodrigo Minotauro clashed back in 2006 at Pride. Big Nog won that fight by unanimous decision. Seven years on, the heavyweight black-belts met again. They had coached the TUF Brazil 2 teams, and if the green team did better in Fortaleza, it was the yellow team’s coach who had his arm raised in the main event. The bout began with both studying each other. Then Werdum took the initiative, brought the fight to the ground and worked the ground-and-pound. When they got back up, they were more tired and so they clinched. They went into round two exchanging strikes, but inevitably the fight ended up in the ground, where Werdum was able to finish off Minotauro with and armbar. By the looks of it, Minotauro had his arm damaged again.
Léo Santos summons the power of Jiu-Jitsu to win at TUF Brazil 2
Léo Santos let Jiu-Jitsu do the talking, submitted William Patolino and got the UFC contract he was dreaming of. Photo: Carol Correia
Léo Santos really is a champion. He showed his skills during the months of confinement in the TUF Brazil 2 house and reached the semifinals, where he lost on points to Santiago Ponzinibbio. The Argentinian broke his own hand in the duel, and the UFC saw fit that the Nova União black-belt become William Patolino’s adversary in TUF Brazil 2 Finale. He made the best of the opportunity and showed that, despite having greatly improved his striking game, it was his world-class Jiu-Jitsu skills that were going to be decisive in making him a TUF Brazil 2 Finale champion. William took Léo down several times, and Léo strived for a submission. Standing, they exchanged strikes and Léo kept gaining confidence. At last he sank in a katagatame and forced the tapout, thus fulfilling his dream of signing with the UFC.
Thiago Silva spoils Rafael Feijão’s party and wins by knockout
Rafael Feijão feels the power of Thiago Silva’s strikes and gets knocked out in round one. Photo: Carol Correia
Light heavyweights Thiago Silva and Rafael Feijão weren’t kidding around. A knockout had been announced long before their match started. Both fighters, who had been inactive for some time, are known for their heavy fists and for favoring a stand-up game. The fight began with the former Strikeforce champ charging and landing the first kicks, jabs and straights. Thiago Silva fought back and forced Feijão to lower his guard. With his opponent against the mesh,
Thiago seized the opportunity and landed an upper to knock out Feijão in round one.
Erick Silva makes quick work of Jason High
Erick Silva displays high-level Jiu-Jitsu to submit Jason High at TUF Brazil 2 Finale. Photo: Carol Correia
Erick Silva came back to the Ultimate Fighting Championship on fire. Following his UFC Rio 3 defeat to Jon Fitch, the welterweight had perfected his Jiu-Jitsu with master Bruno Frazatto of Atos, and it showed. Erick took on Jason High in the main card’s third match. High went for his legs and took Erick down, but it was Erick who was in charge on the ground. He used all of his strength to apply a reverse triangle, and just wouldn’t let go. Erick’s submission of Jason High was the fourth fastest in UFC history, just 1min11s into round one.
Daniel Serafian submits Eddie Mendez
Daniel Serafian gets his first UFC victory with a katagatame vs. Eddie Mendez. Photo: Carol Correia
Daniel Serafian is known for his heavy hands, but last night victory came through a different martial art. The TUF Brazil 1 finalist was looking for his first win in the UFC, and it came rather quickly. At the beginning of round one the Brazilian took the fight to the ground and punched Mendez’s waistline until he managed to pass guard. Then, on top, he got a katagatame and that was that.
Rony Jason puts Mike Wilkinson to sleep
Lights out! Mike Wilkinson takes a nap in Rony Jason’s triangle. Photo: Carol Correia
Rony Jason moved MMA fans like he always does. As he entered the arena in his hockey mask he couldn’t hold back his tears and was applauded by the crowd. Fighting at home, he went after Mike Wilkinson and gave him no chances. Little more than one minute into the bout, Jason caught him in a triangle choke, and Wilkinson chose to pass out rather than tap out.
Undercard results
Raphael Assuncao def. Vaughan Lee by submission (armbar) at 1:51, R2
Felipe Arantes def. Godofredo Castro by TKO at 3:32, R1
Ildemar Alcantara def. Leandro Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Rodrigo Damm def. Mizuto Hirota by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Caio Magalhaes def. Karlos Vemola by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:49, R2
Antonio Braga Neto def. Anthony Smith by submission (kneebar) at 1:52, R1