Brazil’s Big Night (UFC 147 Review)
Photo Credit: UFC.com/Getty Images
One of the busiest weeks in UFC history concluded on Saturday as the double-header of fights finished with UFC 147. It started with UFC on FX 4 on Friday as the UFC would host their first ever back-to-back fights in their history. UFC on FX 4 saw a number of great fights on the card but the main event disappointed. After a lot of build up, the fight between Gray Maynard and Clay Guida was far less than advertised. The UFC was hoping that their second event in as many days would not repeat this performance when they went to Brazil for Silva vs. Franklin II. The second fight between these two promised to be a thrilling event as their first fight at UFC 99 was the fight of the night. The fight almost did not happen though, as the original matchup would have pitted Silva against Vitor Belfort in a fight to match both TUF: Brazil coaches against each other. Belfort had to drop out of the fight after a hand injury during training forcing the UFC to find a quick replacement. They called on Rich Franklin who was in Singapore training for his fight at UFC 148 against Cung Le. Franklin moved his training camp up two weeks and because of this the fight moved to a catch weight of 190. The fight would be a matchup of two similar yet different fighters as both are stand up fighters with some wrestling abilities. The difference comes in their style of striking as Silva is, as Franklin said. “Like a Hurricane” as he continues to come forward with big looping shots. Franklin is the opposite as he has power but is careful in coming forward and is much more technical. These two would face off for the second time as they looked to be a main event that met expectations. The fight was an almost mirror image of the main event at UFC on FX 4 as Franklin used the same strategy as Guida except Franklin did it right. Franklin needed to make sure that he stayed out of the range of Silva because if he got in range Silva would begin his flurry and would end the fight. Franklin stayed out of Silva’s range, like Guida had done the night before, except on his way out of range he threw combinations. This was the strategy for Franklin while Silva looked to get inside and begin throwing big shots to end the fight. The first round saw a small feeling out period until Franklin began taking over throwing straight jabs in bunches at Silva. Franklin’s only misstep was when he got caught with a big kick near the end of the round. The second round was much the same but near the end Silva finally broke through and landed a big right hand that sent Franklin to the mat. Franklin was barely able to stay alive in the fight as he continued to scramble on the ground doing just enough for the fight not to be stopped. The third round saw Silva slow down tremendously as he had clearly worn himself out trying to finish the fight in the previous round. Franklin was not in the best shape either but he took advantage of Silva being tired to continue to throw some great combinations. Franklin ended the round with a takedown as Silva seemed to be just recovering throughout the entire round. The final two rounds were similar as Franklin continued his careful pace as Silva looked to counter with a flurry. There was little chance for Silva to get off the counters but at the end of the fight he did just that although it was too little too late. It was a great fight that definitely made up for the UFC on FX 4 main event with both fighters gaining their advantage and going all out. Franklin took the victory via unanimous decision after scoring more points and surviving in round 2. With the win Franklin will likely return to a regular rotation in the UFC after being out for more than a year and will do so as a middleweight. He will look to make one more run at the middleweight title before he retires as he begins to climb the ladder again. Wanderlei Silva took the loss and ended his brief renaissance but will continue fighting and continue to try to move up the division for a title shot.
Before the electric main event the UFC fans were exposed to a host of new fighters that the Brazilian fans have been watching for some time. The Ultimate Fighter moved to Brazil for the first time and UFC 147 marked the finale for the first season. This meant that the fight card was loaded with TUF: Brazil talent and they showcased their skill. Overall the TUF: Brazil contestants were great as they ended fights and created some very exciting moments. Then came the final two fights where the TUF: Brazil Middleweight and Featherweight champions would be determined. First up was the Featherweight crown as Rony Jason took on Godofredo Pepey to earn a UFC contract. It was a great fight as Pepey and Jason went all out looking for a chance to change their lives. There was not much ground game to speak of besides an attempted armbar in round one by Pepey. It was clear that Pepey wanted to fight on the ground but Jason would not allow it as any time the fight went on the mat it got back to the feat immediately. The fight ended in a unanimous decision victory by Rony Jason who became the first ever TUF: Brazil Champion. The next fight would pit Cezar Ferreira against last-minute replacement Sergio Maraes. It was another great fight as Ferreira and Maraes stayed standing although Maraes seemed to want to take the fight to the ground. It was an all out brawl as both fighters unloaded throughout all three rounds. In the end it was Ferreira who took the advantage landing many more solid shots and even though he was rocked multiple times he kept coming. Ferreira won the fight becoming the middleweight TUF: Brazil champion thanks to a unanimous decision.
The bonuses were handed out after the fight with plenty to choose from as each fighter received a $65,000 bonus for their efforts. The “Submission of the Night” went to TUF contestant Rodrigo Damm who rocked Anistavio Medeiros and finished the fight with a Guillotine Choke. The “Knockout of the Night” went to Marcos Vinicius who finished his fight in devastating fashion earning the TKO over Wagner Campos. The “Fight of the Night” went to the main event as Franklin and Silva picked up their second straight Fight of the Night bonus. The new fighters seem to be only the tip of the iceberg though as every fight from the TUF: Brazil contestants were great showing that there is plenty of untapped talent in Brazil. It was a great night of fights that highlighted Brazilian fighters and we will be seeing many of these for years to come.
Fight Results:
Main Event:
Rich “Ace” Franklin def. “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva
(Unanimous Decision)
Main Card:
Cezar “Mutante” Ferreira def. Sergio “Serginho” Maraes [TUF: Brazil Champion/UFC Contract]
(Unanimous Decision)
Rony Jason def. Godofredo Pepey [TUF: Brazil Champion/UFC Contract]
(Unanimous Decision)
Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum def. Mike Russow
(TKO, Rd. 1)
Hacran Dias def. Yuri “Marajo” Alcantara
(Unanimous Decision)
Undercard:
Rodrigo Damm def. Anistavio “Gasparzinho” Medeiros
(Submission; Rear Naked Choke, Rd. 1)
Francisco “Massaranduba” Trinaldo def. Delson “Pe De Chumbo” Heleno
(TKO, Rd. 1)
Hugo “Wolverine” Viana def. John “Macapa” Teixeira
(Split Decision)
Thiago “Bodao” Perpetuo def. Leonardo “Macarrao” Mafra
(TKO, Rd. 3)
Marcos “Vina” Vinicius def. Wagner “Galeto” Campos
(TKO, Rd. 3)
Felipe “Sertanejo” Arantes vs. Milton “Miltinho” Vieira
(Draw)
Upcoming Events:
UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen II (Saturday July 7th; 10:00 pm ET)
– Las Vegas, Nevada (MGM Grand Garden Arena)
– Main Event: Anderson “The Spider” Silva vs. Chael Sonnen [Middleweight Title]
– Notable: Forrest Griffin vs. Tito “The People’s Champ” Ortiz
– Notable: Cung Le vs. Patrick “The Predator” Cote
UFC on Fuel TV 4: Munoz vs. Weidman (Wednesday July 11th; 8:00 pm ET)
– Live Free on Fuel TV/Sportsnet
– San Jose, California (HP Pavilion)
– Main Event: Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Munoz vs. Chris “The All-American” Weidman
– Notable: James Te Huna vs. Joey “The Mexicutioner” Beltran
UFC 149: Faber vs. Barao (Saturday July 21st; 10:00 pm ET)
– Calgary, Alberta (Scotiabank Saddledome)
– Main Event: Urijah “The California Kid” Faber vs. Renan Barao [Interim Bantamweight Title]
– Notable: Hector Lombard vs. Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch
– Notable: Court “The Crusher” McGee vs. Nick “The Promise” Ring
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