A light heavyweight bout between Caio Machado and Brendson Ribeiro will go down later tonight (Nov .2) on the main card of UFC Edmonton.
One of the contract winners of Dana White's Conteres Series 2023, Machado (8-3-1) is on thin ice in the UFC. He is yet to get a win in the promotion and is currently on a two-fight skid. A win this weekend might be a non-negotiable for the Brazilian to justify his place on the roster.
Ribeiro (15-7 and one NC) is also in a similar situation. Since winning the contract at DWCS 2023, he too has gone 0-2 in the promotion, with one of his losses coming via KO.
Per the UFC's official website, Machado is a -148 favorite over Ribero (+124 underdog) for the match-up.
The main card of the event is now underway. Stick with Sportskeeda for live coverage and play-by-play updater from the fight card.
Check out the full fight card below:
UFC Edmonton: Caio Machado vs. Brendson Ribeiro
Round 1
Machado opens up with leg kicks, trying to keep his opponent outside of range. Ribeiro misses with a powerful head kick.
Both fighters are trying to outward their opponent on the outside. Machado is efficiently cutting off the cage denying his opponent to circle away from him. A high kick partially lands for 'Bigfoot'.
Machado is missing at range with his punches and seems a bit gun-shy to commit to combinations. Ribeiro gets in close and connects with a quick on-two upstairs, before retreating.
An accidental low blow by Ribeiro halts the action. As the fight restarts, the Brazilian lands a solid body kick. He misses with a big one-two.
A very close round.
Our score: 10-9 Ribeiro.
Round 2
Riberio opens with a body kick, and Machado returns one of his own. Both fighters are still staying on the outside and are not committing to combinations. A counter right-hand lands for Machado.
Ribeiro is now trying to close the distance, but Machado is circling out. The Brazilian is still intent on cornering his opponent against the cage.
'Bigfoot' is efficiently keeping himself at range, occasionally stinging his opponent with straight left hands. Ribeiro lands a counter right perhaps his only significant strike of the ground.
Our score: 10-9 Machado.
Round 3
Mahcndo comes out aggressive and lands a left-body kick. Riberio is still finding it hard to find opportunities to string combinations. Machado lands an overhand left.
Riberio slips and falls after attempting a body kick. As the fight restarts Mahcado swarms his opponent with a flurry. 'Bigfoot' catches a head kick by this opponent, then forces him onto the cage and unloads a few body shots.
A quick right hand to the ching lands for Ribeiro. He wobbles his opponent with another right hand. Machado comes back with a left hand of his own which stuns Ribeiro.
The pair trades near the cage. The action ramps up in the final minute, with both fighters landing on each other. A spinning back fist lands for Machado and a spinning hammer fist lands for Ribeiro.
A very close round.
Our score: 10-9 Machado.
Stay tuned for the official decision.
Official decision: Brendson Ribeiro def. Caio Machado via split decision. (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)