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UFC made the trip to Brazil to give the fight-crazy Brazilian fans a night to remember.
Fight Night 164 was headlined by an important Light Heavyweight showdown between Jacare Souza and Jan Blachowicz.
MMA legend Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua took on Paul Craig in the co-main event of the evening in a fight that was confirmed to be the first of Shogun's final two bouts. The incredibly crafty Charles Oliveira faced Jared Gordon in a Lightweight contest.
The card, quite frankly, was pretty underrated on paper and in the end, it ended up being a solid event from top to bottom.
Here are the results of UFC Fight Night 164 from Sao Paulo:
UFC Fight Night 164 Results: Prelims
James Krause def. Sergio Moraes via KO (4:19, Round 3)
Ricardo Ramos def. Luiz Eduardo Garagorri via submission (RNC) (3:57, Round 1)
Francisco Trinaldo def. Bobby Green. via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Randy Brown def. Warlley Alves via submission (triangle) (1:22, Round 2)
Douglas Silva de Andrade def. Renan Barao via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Ariane Lipski def. Isabela de Padua via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26. 29-27)
Tracy Cortez def. Vanessa Melo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27. 29-28)
UFC Fight Night 164 Results: Main Card
#1 Markus Perez vs. Wellington Turman (Middleweight)
The main card opener pitted two rising Middleweight contenders. Perez, who came out with the Joker face-paint during the official weigh-ins, was 2-2 in the UFC. As for Turman, this was the young Brazilian's second fight inside the Octagon, the first having ended in a split decision loss.
Round 1: Both men touched gloves and didn't waste any time in engaging in some offense. Turman cut the distance and shot for the takedown.
Perez stuffed it and overturned the position to clinch with Turman against the cage.
The Brazilian took advantage of an opening and got an undertook on the back of Perez. He yanked Maluko down to the mat but couldn't keep him down for long.
Perez resisted while Turman held onto the waist.
Perez created some separation and landed a big right on the break. He followed it up with a solid combination that hurt Turman.
Both fighters began circling the Octagon again. They exchanged kicks as Turman looked to be in the mood to showboat.
Turman landed a good knee and Perez answered with a front kick. Perez went low to the body before swinging for a left hook. He showed some creativity in his striking by attempting an upward elbow thrust. They ended the round with a few fancy exchanges. Turman 10-9
Round 2: Perez piled up the pressure in the early stages of the second round. Turman looked to impose himself as well with kicks to the body.
Perez was trying a lot of different striking techniques in what was an evenly matched contest thus far. Turman went for the straight right but missed. He did land with a few elbows from close range.
Turman locked his arms around Perez's body yet again and got him down to the ground. Perez got back up to his feet and landed upward elbows with Turman on his back.
Wellington connected with knees to the back of Perez's thighs, however, he gave up his position due to a brief lapse in concentration.
They clinched and Perez landed short left-hand punches. Turman landed knees in the clinch.
They were back in the center and Markus landed a solid counter left that got a reaction from Turman.
Another clinch ensued with Turman working for another takedown. Perez, however, was able to stay on his feet, and he stepped in and went for a spinning head kick. The round ended with Truman pressing Perez. 10-9 Turman
Round 3: They hugged each before the final round kicked off.
Both men exchanged some heavy shots in the pocket. Wild kicks and punches flew from both sides as in the first minute before Turman went for another takedown.
We got another clinch against the fence with Turman getting the body lock from the back. Perez had his feet grounded and avoided going down to the mat. Perez broke through the resistance and finally landed the takedown.
He got into the full mount position but Perez slipped away. Turman postured up and attempted to land big punches from the top.
He settled for side control and continued to land some solid strikes. Perez stood up with a minute left to go and found himself with his back against the cage.
The final 20 seconds saw both men letting their hands loose for a last-ditch knockout shot.
Result: Wellington Turman def. Markus Perez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Turman turned up and put on a very professional performance by executing his game plan of neutralizing the diversity in Perez's striking. The Middleweight counter was a great way to kick things off on the main card.
#2 Andre Muniz vs. Antonio Arroyo (Middleweight)
The Middleweight opener was followed up by another fight between two similar talents from the stacked 185 lbs division. The former contender series standouts were both making their respective UFC debuts. Andre Muniz was on a 4-fight winning streak while fellow Brazilian counterpart Antonio Arroyo hadn't lost in his last five fights.
Round 1: Arroyo began with a wide stance and bounced around smoothly to begin the fight.
The takedown came soon enough and before anyone knew it, Muniz had grabbed Arroyo's right arm for a possible Kimura.
Arroyo worked hard and finally got his arm out of Muniz's tight grip.
Muniz, however, was a relentless grappler and he gave an example of the same by attacking Arroyo's legs and getting him down again into full guard.
The referee called for a timeout after Muniz potentially fouled Arroyo by hitting him with a knee while the latter was grounded. However, replays showed otherwise as Arroyo's knees were actually in the air when he got hit in the face.
The fight resumed without any punishment being handed out to Muniz, who continued pressing forward. Muniz attempted a few kicks with Arroyo retreating to avoid taking any damage. The round ended with Arroyo connecting with a few big strikes as Muniz covered up. 10-9 Muniz
Round 2: Arroyo looked sharper in the second round as he connected with a high kick. Muniz was also having some success with his striking as he tagged Arroyo with a few combinations before taking the fight to the mat.
He got hold of Arroyo's back and locked in a neck crank. Arroyo worked Muniz's hands and created some room to breathe. Muniz continued to work for a submission but Arroyo slipped out and got up on his feet with a minute left to go.
Muniz stayed on his back and invited Arroyo into his guard.
10-9 Muniz
Round 3: Muniz changed levels and scored a takedown early in the final round. He got into full guard and landed elbows and punches from the top. Arroyo tried to use the cage to get back up but Muniz used his frame and power to keep his opponent down.
Muniz put in the work on the ground as he landed punches and he looked to pass mount. Arroyo turned around and got up, however, Muniz wasn't letting go of the back. Arroyo finally got out but Muniz stayed down yet again.
The fans booed as Arroyo looked for a way in as his opponent was content with laying down on his back. He waited for Arroyo to fall into his guard but that wasn't happening.
Muniz attempted a few up kicks from the ground. Arroyo landed a few rights from the standing position. The crowd cheered as the referee forced Muniz to stand up. The fight ended with both men staring each other down without doing anything. As expected, Sao Paulo fans weren't impressed.
Result: Andre Muniz def. Antonio Arroyo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Apart from a solid first round, this was a major letdown. While Muniz almost submitted Arroyo, his cautious game plan hurt the quality of the fight.
A win is a win though and Muniz would take it on his UFC debut.
#3 Charles Oliveira vs. Jared Gordon (Lightweight)
Charles Oliveira's mission was pretty straightforward - extend his hot streak and get the deserved recognition en route to a Lightweight title shot.
It took the Brazilian submission specialist just 86 seconds to make a statement!
Round 1: Gordon didn't look intimidated by the rousing fan support for his opponent as he walked Oliveira down to begin the bout. Charles fired back with a snappy outside leg kick.
It didn't take time for the fight to go down as Oliveira quickly looked for a submission, however, both men got back up to their feet after a brief scramble.
Gordon connected with a straight left but missed the follow-up right. He shouldn't have committed to the right as he ended up getting rocked with a perfect right-hand shot from Oliveira.
The Brazilian followed it up with a short uppercut and the American's knees buckled. Do Bronx then applied the finishing touches before the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
Result: Charles Oliveira def. Jared Gordon via TKO (1:26, Round 1)
That's six consecutive finishes for Charles Oliveira! Six! The UFC better take notice and push this man into the deep end of the Lightweight division.
#4 Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua vs. Paul Craig (Light Heavyweight)
UFC Hall of Famer Shogun Rua was still a ranked contender in the UFC and had just lost one of his last five fights. The former Light Heavyweight Champion recently confirmed that he has just had two more fight left in him and the first of those was against the odds-on underdog Paul Craig.
For the Scottish fighter, however, it was just another fight he needed to win in order to stabilize his UFC career.
Round 1: Craig showed his range of kicks as he connected with one to the body and another to the leg.
Craig initiated the clinch and tried to land a few knees. Shogun got the underhooks. Both fighters looked to impose themselves and get a better position in the battle of the clinch.
Craig landed a few punches with his back against the fence. They broke up and began exchanging strikes in the center.
Shogun shot for the takedown, but Craig stuffed it and attempted a standing guillotine.
Craig unloaded a barrage of rights and lefts. Shogun typically absorbed them all while also swinging his hands widely with the intention of catching his Scottish opponent with a killer blow.
Paul landed quite a few strikes but Shogun unsurprisingly showed his toughness. Shogun turned it up in the final 30 seconds as he pressed forward and connected with a few solid rights. 10-9 Craig
Round 2: The second round was a little more subdued than its predecessor as both fighters were cautious in their approach.
The jabs kept coming in from both ends. Craig went for a body kick but Shogun caught it and scored a takedown.
Shogun unleashed some vicious hammer fists and the fans popped had for it. Craig briefly attempted an arm triangle but Rua slipped out.
The Brazilian legend was in control on the ground as he passed guard and continued to land strikes in top position. He got up but Craig stayed down. Shogun kept jumping back in with heavy-handed shots. Shogun ended the round in a dominant position. 10-9 Shogun
Round 3: The attempted jabs didn't meet their intended target at the beginning of the final round.
Shogun took the fight to the ground again. Craig landed strikes from his back.
It was the same old story. Craig remained on his back while Shogun kept getting up on his feet before going back into Craig's guard on many occasions.
Craig got up and pressed forward with a diverse set of combinations that included rights, lefts, and a few body kicks. He got the body lock and forced Shogun down until the end of the fight.
Result: Shogun Rua vs. Paul Craig ended in a draw (29-28, 28-29, 28-28)
The outcome is certainly debatable as Shogun did take a lot of damage in the fight. However, the UFC Hall of Famer enjoyed long bouts of top control while Craig had the more significant strikes. What are your thoughts on the judges' decision?
#5 Ronaldo Jacare Souza vs. Jan Blachowicz (Light Heavyweight)
Ronaldo Jacare Souza was back for the first time since April this year for his debut in the Light Heavyweight division.
Jan Blachowicz was all too familiar with welcoming Middleweights to the 205 lbs weight class as he finished Luke Rockhold in his last fight in July.
Round 1: Jacare showed a lot of head movement before he shot for the takedown within 30 seconds.
Blachowicz defended it well and was pushed back towards the cage. The Polish fighter got in the under hooks and attempted to turn Jacare over. The Brazilian, however, used his strength and even attempted a classic foot sweep.
Blachowicz created an opening and got out of the clinch. Back in the center, Jan went for the outside leg kick. Souza kept his guard up and absorbed a head kick. He went for another takedown but settled for the clinch.
Blachowicz laned short punches and elbows as Souza tried to get into a position for a possible takedown.
Round 2: They exchanged kicks as the second round began.
Blachowicz tagged Souza with a clean right. Souza attacked Jan's leg with a solid kick. The Polish fighter connected with a 1-2.
Souza changed levels and shot for the double leg, however, Jan's takedown defense was on point.
They clinched again for a few minutes with Jacare landing a few knees while Jan came back with the short punches.
They broke free and were back in the center of the Octagon. Blachowicz was careful as he came in and found success with the jabs. Souza peppered Blachowicz's left leg with hard kicks. He landed a clean right that pushed Blachowicz back. 10-9 Souza
Round 3: Blachowicz stayed on the outside and used his reach to stick the jabs. He went low with the calf kick.
Souza cut the distance with a wild overhand right and got in the body lock. Jan had his back against the cage but still landed a few knees in the clinch.
They came back to the center of the cage. Both men were extremely calculated and gave each other tons of unwanted respect.
Souza made inroads again and clinched with Blachowicz, who got in the double under hooks. They broke up again and the crowd was now getting restless. Jacare landed a good right while Jan replied with a combination to end the round. 10-9 Souza
Round 4: Blachowicz needed to be more aggressive if he intended to get the better of Souza, however, he couldn't shake off the hesitation.
The volume of strikes was minimal with three minutes left to go. They clinched again and exchanged knees. Souza tried to sweep Jan off his feet.
The fans in attendance put up their phone flashlights as the fight just wasn't taking off. Blachowicz landed a good body kick. He then went high for a head kick but hit Jacare's guard. Blachowicz pressed forward in the closing stages of the round. 10-9 Blachowicz
Round 5: Blachowicz's left leg was swollen as a result of Jacare's kicks. Jan shifted stances and landed the jabs. He lifted his injured left leg for a head kick.
Jacare shot for the takedown but Jan defended it well again. Blachowicz tried to put together a few combinations after a brief clinch.
Jan had defended all of the five attempted takedowns and had over 100 strikes to his name in the fight. The Polish Light Heavyweight scored a knockdown with a quick uppercut but Jacare recovered and continued to move around inside the Octagon.
Blachowicz continued to jab and connect with the kicks to Souza's right leg.
Result: Jan Blachowicz def. Ronaldo Jacare Souza via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
No disrespect to either competitor, but that was a stinker. Blachowicz did enough to get the win here and he wants the winner of Jon Jones vs. Dominick Reyes. However, should he get the title shot based on this performance? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
