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Ronda Rousey vs Bethe Correia headlined UFC 190A packed 7 fight card, headlined by the greatest living fighter, Ronda Rousey took place earlier today. Rousey took on Bethe Correia in the most personal fight of her career. Other than the women’s bantamweight champion, there were Brazilian legends like the Nogueira brothers, Bigfoot Silva and Mauricio Rua as well as Stefan Struve trying to resurrect their careers.There was also the two finals of TUF Brazil 4 and a women’s stra-wweight number 1 contender’s fight between Claudia Gadelha and Jessica Aguilar. Below is a match-by-match lookback at the night’s main-card action
#1 Jessica Aguilar vs Claudia Gadelha
The card kicked off with the highly anticipated UFC debut of Jessica Aguilar. Regarded as the best woman outside the promotion behind only Cyborg, Aguilar wasn’t given an easy ride on her debut. Gadelha’s only professional defeat was against Straw weight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Dana White had already said that this was a number one contender’s matchup with the winner getting a shot at Joanna.
The first round kicked off with Aguilar landing a series of jabs. Gadelha landed the first big shot with a knee to the head. Aguilar let her hands go looking for speedy strikes while Gadelha was more measured, biding her time, waiting for an opening to present itself. Gadelha landed a body kick that stung Aguilar and began to press forward. Gadelha would hit Aguilar with another big body kick. Gadelha followed it up with a 1-2 punch combination. Gadelha connected with uppercuts as Aguilar struggled to cope with the power of her opponent. Aguilar landed an inside leg kick before Gadelha took her down and got her back. Gadelha had a double shoulder hook in position as the round ended.
Gadelha smelt blood and came out for the second round with a 2 punch combination that stung Aguilar. Gadelha works Aguilar onto the fence into a clinch before taking her down. Aguilar managed to get the fight back to the feet and tried twisting her hips to get behind Gadelha. Aguilar drags Gadelha away from the fence and lands knees to the body. Gadelha responds by separating from Aguilar’s clinch and starts firing away. A jab from Gadelha is followed by a right from Aguilar. It’s a series that repeats itself a time over. Aguilar charges at Gadelha with a flurry of punches, which are all avoided before Gadelha once again, takes Aguilar down and keeps her there till the round ends.
In the third round, Aguilar started throwing leg kicks. Gadelha is very heavy on her front leg and was planted feeling the effects of the kicks. Gadelha’s efficiency was rapidly diminished and she wasn’t moving as freely. Both fighters exchanged a few punches with Gadelha getting more significant strikes in. Towards the end of the round, Gadelha took Aguilar down again, for the fourth time in the contest. It would be on the ground, with Gadelha pushing for the submission where the round and the fight would end.
Gadelha won by unanimous decision (30-27) and called out Joanna Jedrzejczyk for a title shot.
Result: - Claudia Gadelha via Unanimous Decision (30-27)
#2 Antonio Silva vs. Soa Palelei
Second up, two hugely powerful heavyweights squared off. Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva’s knockout power is legendary. Soa Palelei on the other hand has won 22 MMA fights, 19 by knockout. Palelei was 12-1 in the last five years but none of those 12 wins were against anyone like Bigfoot Silva. This was his biggest test, and biggest opportunity. ‘Bigfoot’ was on the back of a 4 fight losing streak and pretty much had his UFC career on the line. 5 defeats in a row is tough to come back from.
Palelei went for a single leg takedown early in the fight and got caught by Silva with a knee. The knee didn’t do as much damage as Silva would have hoped for and the two scrambled on their feet until Silva was against the cage. Once freed from the cage, Silva pushed forward and hit an uppercut and another knee shortly after. Once again, the fight went against the cage, this time with Silva in dominant position. While against the cage, Palelei ate a few leg kicks but managed to sweep the leg and take Silva down and getting on top. Palelei landed a big punches from above but Silva managed to keep his distance. Palelei would posture up and try to get into full mount. With Silva now on the ground and being pushed against the cage, Palelei ended the round with some big shots from mount. 15 more seconds and he could have stopped Silva.
After a short feeling out process at the start of the second round, Silva hit a huge uppercut followed by a devastating knee that rocked Palelei. Seeing his chance, Silva pushed Palelei against the cage and hit him with an uppercut and another knee through Paeleli’s guard which dropped the Australian. Silva unloaded with a combination of shots forcing a referee stoppage.
This was a big win for Silva, his first in 2 years and probably breathes new life into his stumbling UFC career. It will be interesting to see where Palelei goes from here and who he will fight next.
Result: - Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva via TKO, Round 2
#3 Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Stefan Struve
One of the greatest heavyweights of all time, in the twilight of his career, was looking to roll back the years against the skyscraper, Stefan Struve. Struve was once considered a huge prospect and though still in his 20s, there is already a feeling of what could have been with him. Struve hasn’t won a fight since 2012 and has been plagued with a series of injuries. Both fighters had a lot riding on this fight. Could ‘Big Nog’ pull off another performance like he did against Brendan Schaub or could Struve resurrect his career?
Neither of them was holding back early on with both fighters coming out swinging. Big Nog got Struve into the clinch and worked towards getting the Dutchman to the ground. Struve finally got free of the clinch and landed a big right hand that clipped and wobbled Big Nog. However Big Nog almost immediately got him back in the clinch. Struve once again forced his way out and landed another big punch. Once again though, Big Nog immediately got him back in the clinch. Big Nog dragged Struve down but Struve managed to scramble to his feet. Big Nog landed a flurry of punches before Struve hit a front kick to the body. Towards the end of the round, Big Nog tried a clinch again but Struve broke free and hit a leg kick followed by a third big right hand of the round.
The second round started with Struve hitting a big leg kick. Big Nog unloaded with a right hand getting passed Struve’s defence and forcing him into the clinch. Big Nog forced his way behind Struve and dragged him down. With dominant position, Big Nog went for the guillotine. Struve scrambled free and got the fight back to stand-up. Big Nog did an excellent job forcing Struve into the pocket. Struve hit Big Nog with another body kick and a big punch. Big Nog, however, managed to work into the clinch again. Struve broke free and landed an uppercut. Struve was more patient, working the body kicks and front kicks to the leg trying to gas out Big Nog. Struve hit a nasty knee before Big Nog got him against the cage towards the end of the round.
The third round started with Struve working the leg kicks and body kicks. A right hand from Struve seemed to clip Big Nog in the eye. Big Nog managed to get Struve down but the Dutchman got right back up. Big Nog hit a big punch before Struve continued trying to cut down Big Nog’s leg with his kicks. Struve landed another knee to the body before going back to working the leg kicks. Big Nog forced Struve against the cage in the clinch. After stifling Big Nog’s takedown, Struve got the fight back to the centre of the cage and landed a huge roundhouse to the head that sounded like an AK-47 had gone off in the arena. Big Nog though, barley slowed down and continued searching for the clinch. Struve hit a big right hand and a beautiful jab. Struve landed a big left hook. With Big Nog tiring, his defence was dwindling and Struve was hitting him at will. Both fighters ended the fight swinging at each other.
Result: - Stefan Struve via Unanimous Decision (30-27)
#4 Dileno Lopes vs. Reginaldo Vieira
Dileno Lopes was the second pick when the teams were being selected during TUF Brazil 4. Vieira on the other hand, lost in the semi-final, was eliminated and brought back after two fighters fell out with injury. The two squared off in the Bantamweight finale of TUF Brazil 4.
Both fighters were making their official UFC Debut. Early on Vieira came out swinging. Lopes clinched up and unloaded with a series of punches to the body. Immediately, the speed of both fighters was front and centre. After they traded shots at a frantic pace, Vieira locked in a guillotine and dragged Lopes to the ground. Lopes did a phenomenal job getting into side control before getting into the mount, escaping the submission and transitioning seamlessly into a guillotine of his own. Vieira resisted and got to his feet. Again, the two traded frantic punches. Lopes locked in another guillotine, Vieira after being dragged to the ground, managed to escape. Finally the pace of the fight settled in the clinch against the cage. Vieira locked in a guillotine of his own, his second and the fourth of the fight. Lopes freed himself. Vieira cornered Lopes and clipped him on several occasions. Lopes landed his own big punch as one of the most exciting rounds of recent memory came to an end.
At the start of the second, both fighters were a little more tentative. Vieira landed a big right hand stinging Lopes. Lopes was tiring as Vieira landed another left hand. Lopes hit a vicious body kick on Vieira but Lopes was becoming too flat footed and Vieira was bouncing about trying to find an opening. Lopes landed a combination of kicks to the body that hurt Vieira. Lopes was now figuring Vieira out, avoiding his punches and landing kicks to the rib cage. Vieira went for another guillotine but Lopes defended, forcing Vieira to the ground. With neither fighter being able to do much on the ground, the referee stood them up just as the round came to an end.
Vieira opened up the final round with a low inside kick. Vieira looked the fresher of the two fighters and landed a jab on Lopes’ cut. Vieira kept moving to test Lopes’ cardio. Lopes went in for a takedown but Vieira defended. After a swing and a miss from Vieira, Lopes dropped him and got top position on the ground. Lopes was in half guard and as Vieira tried to stand back up, Lopes locked in another guillotine. Vieira struggled to break free but Lopes kept the squeeze up. The choke lasted longer than any of the previous 4 did. Vieira broke free and came out on top position. Vieira landed a hammer fist while Lopes landed elbows from below. Both fighters traded a series of punches on the ground towards the end of the fight.
It was an amazing display of heart and will to win. Both men were bleeding out and could barely stand. They may not be the most talented fighters but they showed tremendous determination in a very close fight that had no less than 5 guillotine submissions getting locked in.
Result: - Reginaldo Vieira via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
#5 Fernando Bruno vs. Glaico Franca
A rivalry between Brazilian fighting styles. Franca, an expert of Luta Livre, against Fernando Bruno, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, fought in the lightweight finale of TUF Brazil 4.
Franca came out with a series of leg kicks. Bruno replied with a flurry of heavy punches. Franca established a wide stance to capitalize his reach advantage and keep Bruno from taking him down. That strategy didn’t last long though, with Bruno attempting a take down and after scrambling in the clinch against the cage, Bruno got him down. Franca got up almost instantly though but was stuffed against the cage. Bruno landed a knee to the body in the clinch and dropped down for a single leg takedown. Franca rallied and switched the tables, attempting and after a brief struggle, pulling off a takedown, getting Bruno down. As Bruno worked his way to his feet, Franca held onto him and dragged him back to the ground. Bruno once again scrambled up but Franca got him down yet again. While it may not have been as action packed as the Lopes-Vieira fight, Franca wore down Bruno as the round came to end, comfortably winning the first round.
Much like the first round, Franca opened up with leg kicks before Bruno pushed him onto the cage and tried to get him to the ground. Franca’s size advantage meant he was able to defend Bruno’s takedowns and grappling advances. Once again, Franca got Bruno’s back and dragged him to the ground. Franca however, let his grip loosen and Bruno managed to establish top position on the ground. Bruno’s hammer fist was met with elbows from the bottom by Franca. Eventually Bruno let Franca up and went back in almost immediately for a takedown, Franca defended and got Bruno’s back locking in a body triangle just as he did at the end of the first round. Franca tried to lock in a choke but with his hands tiring, he let up as the second round came to an end with Franca clearly winning it once again.
With a 2-0 deficit, Bruno came out firing in the final round. There was a scent of desperation as he worked his way into the clinch. Bruno tossed Franca to the ground and got his back. While Bruno was trying to establish a rear naked choke, Franca defended and took Bruno’s back. Bruno managed to get the fight back to the feet and landed an uppercut that rocked Franca. After a brief stoppage for a groin shot, Franca came out swinging attempting a head kick. Franca took Bruno to the ground and took his back trying to submit opponent. Franca locked in a rear naked chock under the chin forcing Bruno to tap.
Result: - Glaico Franca via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 3.
#6 Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Mauricio Shogun Rua
Two Brazilian legends squared off in the co-main event in a rematch 10 years in the making. When they went at it in a legendary fight at Pride, Shogun came out on top in a gruelling war. There was no hiding the fact that neither fighter was in their prime but there was still much excitement ahead of the fight.
The first round started out with a feeling out process before Shogun landed an excellent kick to the body. The feeling out process didn’t last long with both fighters going at it. Shogun landed a right hand before Little Nog clinched him against the cage. Trying to establish his range, little Nog threw an uncharacteristic leg kick. Shogun came at him with a big head kick but Little Nog got his hands up. Shogun however, landed a hard roundhouse to the body. As Shogun went in for a punch, Little Nog countered and tagged him with a big punch. Shogun was wobbly and Little Nog unleashed a series of punches trying to finish Shogun. Shogun tagged Little Nog whilst defending a knee to the face. Little Nog rallied and went back to work with his boxing. After failing to land a standing guillotine, Little Nog hit Shogun with a knee to the body. A tentative start had a wild finish to the round as the entire crowd got on their feet to applaud.
Shogun started the second round by landing a takedown but Little Nog had him trapped in the guard. Unable to get passed Little Nog’s guard, Shogun went for big punches but Little Nog avoided them. Shogun tried to step over the guard and get into mount to work the ground and pound but Little Nog kept his defences up. Eventually, Little Nog scrambled to his feet after seeing out Shogun’s grappling advances. Shogun though, almost immediately worked Little Nog against the cage and landed knees to the leg. With neither fighter working, the referee forced the fight back to the centre. Little Nog hit a jab and Shogun responded with another vicious kick to the body. Little Nog was forced to eat a left hook before another body kick, as the round came to an end.
Entering the final round, both fighters were comfortable in the knowledge that the winner of the third round would win the fight. Shogun landed yet another kick to the body before Little Nog started getting his boxing combinations in. Shogun landed yet another big kick before failing in an attempted takedown. Little Nog clipped Shogun with a straight left who responded with a right hand of his own. Little Nog stuffed another of Shogun’s takedowns. Shogun hit a 1-2 jab-hook combination and another body kick before both fighters traded punches. As Shogun went for a takedown, Little Nog locked in a guillotine. Shogun was struggling and seemed close to tapping but somehow managed to get out of it and end the fight in top position on the ground.
It wasn’t the same as their fight at Pride (other than the closing stages of the first round), but it was fun to see these two legends square off again.
Result: - Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua via Unanimous Decision (29-28)
#7 Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia
The headline act. The most dominant athlete in the world in the most personal fight of her career. Ronda Rousey promised to humiliate Bethe in her hometown and after months of trading verbal jabs, the two got to settle their differences in the octagon. Bethe was looking to become the 12th Brazilian champion in the UFC history as Ronda was looking to add her to her list of conquests.
Ronda landed a series of punches and a knee early on dropping Bethe. Ronda hit a huge knee and backed Bethe against the cage. Ronda showed tremendous hand speed and landed a right hand to the temple. Bethe Correia went down falling flat on her face as the referee stopped the fight on the 34 second mark.
It’s amazing to watch Ronda Rousey. The only problem with her is that she doesn’t give us much to write on short of waxing lyrics. Never before has there been such a dominant champion in the history of fights. She stood with the brawler and knocked her out. What’s scary about Ronda is that she keeps getting better and is only just entering the prime of her career. Good luck to any woman brave enough to enter the cage.
Result: - Ronda Rousey via TKO, Round 1
