The UFC came to us live on Saturday night from Sao Paulo Brazil with a Light Heavyweight Main event between two guys coming up from 185lbs. The card was flipped upside down with a bunch of late changes to it. We ended up with a 205lbs main event between two guys who usually fight at 185lbs as Thiago “de Lima Marreta” Santos (18-6 #12 Ranked Middleweight) took on “Ya Boi” Eryk Anders (11-1). Honestly, the card was getting overlooked because of the looming UFC 229 card. However, this card was a really fun night of fights. We had several finishes up and down the card. The Brazilian fighters did what they usually do when the UFC comes to Brazil just win. This was a long night of fights so let us take a look back at the night that was Fight Night 137 Sao Paulo.
We kicked off the night on Fight Pass as Alex “Astro Girl” Chambers (5-5) took on the debuting Livinha “The Brazilian Gangster” Souza (12-1). Chambers was trying to find the range early using leg kicks and moving forward. One big overhand from Souza landed and backed Chambers up. Souza pressed forward and backed Chambers up against the fence. Souza started to unload and Souza grabbed for a takedown. Souza immediately transitioned to mount and locked in a guillotine. She had to hold on to it for a while, but Chambers was forced to tap. What a debut for Sao Paulo’s Livinha Souza. This was nothing but impressive. She landed the big right hand and moved forward getting her to the mat and picking up a submission win. She is going to be fun to watch going forward.
We head to Welterweight next as Elizeu “Capoeira” Zaleski dos Santos (20-5) took on the debuting Luigi “The Italian Stallion” Vendramini (8-1). Zaleski dos Santos came out stalking Vendramini. There was a takedown attempt from Vendramini that was stuffed. Zaleski dos Santos ended up having a Peruvian Necktie submission attempt. The submission looked to be in deep, but Vendramini survived and was able to battle out. They got back to the feet and Vendramini dove to the back of Zaleski dos Santos and actually took his back. He started off standing and took the fight to the mat. Vendramini kept trying to work for a rear naked choke. Zaleski dos Santos battled back to his feet and was wearing Vendramini like a backpack. With just over a minute and a half left Zaleski dos, Santos was able to escape. The two fighters danced for a while before Zaleski dos Santos moved forward and landed some punches. He also threw a head kick that was blocked prior to the horn. We headed to round 2 and we were staying on the feet early. As they circled Zaleski dos Santos caught a body kick and Vendramini kept moving backward. Zaleski dos Santos kept coming forward and uncorked a flying knee that caught Vendramini flush. Zaleski dos Santos followed him up as he was hurt and hit a right hand that knocked him out cold. What a finish from Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. This guy is such a dangerous finisher. He needs a top 15 opponent next and there is no 2 ways about it.
A couple of veterans were up next as Thales Leites (28-9) went up against Hector “Showeather” Lombard (34-10-1 2NC). These guys came out very slow looking to find an opening. They traded a few leg kicks with Lombard throwing them with serious power. Leites went high with a kick that was blocked. Lombard tried to rush forward, but Leites evaded it and hit a nice counter uppercut. Lombard moved forward with a right hand but missed. Lombard hit a hard leg kick again. The leg kicks just kept working and they were hurting Leites over and over again. That is where we left the first round. We headed to round 2 Leites was clearly looking to get this fight to the mat. Lombard kept working the leg kicks. Leites did get Lombard down for a second, but Lombard scrambled back up to his feet. Leites now was trying to brawl throwing big right hands. Leites had a gigantic bump on his knee. Leites tried to pull guard and grab for an armbar. Lombard was able to defend. Leites got back to his feet and landed a knee up the middle. They clinched briefly against the cage and they were circling. Leites hit a head kick followed by two left hands. Lombard was cut upon his right eye and Leites just missed with another big shot as the round ended. We headed to round 3 and had a brief stoppage for the doctor to check the cut on Lombard. We then got started and Leites immediately went for the takedown. Lombard caught a kick and just missed with a big right hand. They were clinched against the fence and Lombard was landing some solid right hands. Leites returned fire with knees to the body that connected. They were trading and Lombard ate a left hand. They were stuck against the cage for a while, and Leites scored a takedown very late in the last round. We headed to the judges who scored it 29-28 across the board for Thales Leites. This was announced as the final fight of Leites long MMA career. He deserved and earned this win. He was a guy that made it all the way to a shot at the title. His striking was never perfect, but it improved over time. He was always one of the most dangerous jiu-jitsu fighters in the Octagon. He had a solid career and capped it off with a nice win.
We went next to Flyweight as Gillian “The Savage” Robertson (5-3) took on UFC newcomer Mayra “Sheetara” Bueno Silva (5-0). Robertson came right out and threw a flush right hand. Silva returned with a combination. Robertson then went for a takedown attempt that was stuffed. We had a clinch up against the fence where Robertson dropped to a knee and ate a hard right elbow from Silva. Robertson backed away and then snuck in a takedown. Robertson was on top in half guard looking to transition. Robertson was on top and holding it down. She landed three really hard hammer fists. Silva was able to slip out and get back to her feet. As she rose up she landed a brutal elbow to the face of Robertson. Silva was backing Robertson up against the fence and ate a brutal right hand from Silva. Robertson again went for the takedown and scored a trip, but because of the fence, it was Silva who landed partially on top. Silva tried to scoot away, but Robertson grabbed for her leg and was looking for a leg lock. Robertson abandoned that and ended up on top in Silva’s guard. Robertson, however, left her arm out there and Silva latched on. It was late in the round and the arm got extended as Robertson was forced to tap. Mayra Buenos Silva scored a big win in her UFC debut. She had been getting controlled for a majority of the round. Her striking was also on point in this matchup. The undefeated prospect will certainly be someone to pay attention to.
Another set of UFC veterans closed out the Fight Pass card as Sergio “The Panther” Moraes (14-4-1) took on Ben “Killa B’ Saunders (22-10-2). These two danced around early. Moraes then made a double leg takedown happen and he was on top on the mat. Moraes was content with staying on top on Saunders, while Saunders was trying to pepper him with punches from the bottom. Moraes was trying his best to get into mount. Moraes finally got there with just under a minute left. Moraes then latched on to an armbar with just about 10 seconds left, but Saunders held on and stayed in the fight to see round 2. We headed to round 2 and they were moving slowly around the cage. Saunders threw a body kick that was caught by Moraes. He immediately scored a takedown and we were back into the same position as we were in the first round. Moraes was staying on top and softening up Saunders. Moraes eventually transitioned into full mount again. Moraes was working towards an arm triangle with about a minute left. Eventually, Moraes was able to fully lock it in and Saunders had no choice but to submit. This was just flat out domination for Sergio Moraes. He was so good on the ground and used a slow plodding attack to get the big win. Moraes is still dangerous against anybody in the division.
We went to FS2 for the prelims as Augusto Sakai (11-1-1) took on Chase “The Vanilla Gorilla” Sherman (11-5). Sherman came out throwing some low kicks. Sakai returned the favor with even more low kicks. Sakai landed a nice overhand right, but Sherman responded with a combination that included a body kick. Sherman fired off the combination again that ended with the body kick. They both exchanged big shots. Sakai was moving forward and landing his right-hand multiple times backing Sherman up. Sakai tried a last-second jumping knee, but it was Sherman who landed a nice left hand in return as the round ended. We headed to round 2 they came out trading and a poke in the eye from Sherman led to a pause. On the restart, a straight right hand landed from Sherman. They traded teep kicks and then we got a clinch battle against the fence. Sakai pushed Sherman off him and landed a hard right hand. They exchanged combinations with Sakai landing the better of the punches. Sakai started to really find a home for his punches and Sherman was wobbly. Sherman forced him back against the fence. Sakai broke the clinch and came right back to land more right hands. Sherman again pressed Sakai back against the fence and was holding him there. They broke apart briefly with a slow in the action and the bell sounded. We were headed to round 3 and Sakai threw a head kick that was blocked. Sherman looked out of gas and Sakai kept throwing the overhand right and landing. Sherman tried to move forward and immediately ate a ton of big shots from Sakai. Sherman was hurting and Sakai was taking his time throwing heavy hands. They were pressed against the fence and Sakai was unloading on Sherman. Somehow he was staying in the fight. Sherman reversed the position, but Sakai got him to the mat. Sakai was unloading big elbows from side control. Sherman stayed in it, but a few big hammer fists from Sakai and Mark Goddard had seen enough. This was a solid win and debut for Augusto Sakai. He went out there against a UFC veteran and closed it out in the third round. His striking looked crisp and heavy. It will be interesting to see where he goes at Heavyweight.
We dropped from Heavyweight to 205lbs as Luis “KLB” Henrique (10-5 1NC) welcomed Ryan “Superman” Spann (11-5) to the UFC. Henrique came out threw a low kick and ate a big straight right from Spann. Henrique tried to clinch, but Spann was able to evade. Spann stopped a takedown and he tried to land the right hand on the break. Henrique tried again for a takedown and almost landed in a standing guillotine. Spann just kept the pressure on him. Spann made the mistake of getting too far forward and Henrique scored the takedown. Spann was able to push him off and get back to his feet. Henrique tried again and found himself deep in a guillotine. Henrique got to the mat and rolled out of the choke. They got back to the feet and it was Henrique who landed a huge right hand. Spann, however, seemed unaffected and kept moving forward. Spann had Henrique pressed against the fence. Henrique landed another big overhand right. Spann was swinging wildly again and a takedown from Henrique ended the round. We went to round 2 as Spann connected, but Henrique let go big sots in return. Henrique then latched on and was trying to get this fight to the ground. Spann reversed the position and had Henrique against the cage. They separated and were back at it. Henrique again went for the takedown and got it. However, Spann was the one who ended up on top in the scramble. Henrique battled off his back and ended up forcing Spann back to the mat. Henrique was doing an excellent job keeping the pressure on top. Henrique then latched on with a guillotine, but Spann was able to sweep and ended up on top. Spann was not fully out of it, but he was surviving. Spann escaped and then grabbed on for a choke of his own. Spann ended up in full mount and was unloading ground and pound as the round ended. At the beginning of round 3, Henrique scored a takedown and was back on top. Henrique was trying to land big shots from inside of Spann’s guard, but he was looking a bit tired. Spann did a great job sweeping and ended up on top. Spann was trying to get to a crucifix position, but Henrique was able to scoot to get his back to the cage. Henrique grabbed fro a potential kimura, but Spann escaped and stayed on top with some ground and pound. Spann unleashed a hard knee to the body as Henrique got up. Spann then unloaded on the feet towards the end of the round. They met in the center of the cage and left it all out there until the horn sounded. We headed to the judges as the scored it 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 for the winner Ryan Spann. This was a solid debut for Ryan Spann in the UFC. He looked absolutely gassed when the fight ended. Yet another contract winner from the Contender Series gets a win in his UFC debut.
Another pair of veterans went at it as Francisco “Massaranduba” Trinaldo (23-6) stepped into the cage and took on Evan Dunham (18-8-1). Dunham was circling on the outside and tried to sneak in, but Trinaldo landed a hard combination to the body. Dunham came forward again, but Trinaldo landed a nice combination. Dunham kept circling around on the outside and trying to find an opening. Dunham came forward and had to eat come hard left-hand counter hooks from Trinaldo. Dunham caught a body kick and landed a right hand over the top that put Trinaldo down. Dunham jumped on Trinaldo as he tried to get up but he ate a hard uppercut. Dunham tried to get a guillotine, but Trinaldo reversed it and ended up on top. They got back to the feet and Trinaldo landed a nice kick and the circled as the round ended. We headed to round two and Trinaldo landed a big left hand and pushed Dunham back against the fence, Dunham ducked to avoid an overhand and Trinaldo grabbed him in a front headlock. Trinaldo was trying to work in a choke, but instead, Dunham got back to his feet. Trinaldo landed a knee right to the middle to the face of Dunham. They continued to work around the cage and trade. Then out of nowhere, a knee to the body shut Dunham down and the fight was all over. That was a hell of a finish from Francisco Trinaldo. This guy can still get it done at 40 years old.
We closed out the FS2 Prelims as Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira (25-8 1NC) welcomed back Christos “The Spartan” Giagos (15-8) to the UFC. Oliveira came out with a low leg kick. Giagos threw a combination that was blocked. Giagos landed a nice right hand over the top. Oliveira grabbed for he clinch and they were pressed p against the fence. Oliveira was using his legs a lot and landed a jumping knee to the body. Giagos tried to throw a combination and Oliveira snuck in and scored a double leg takedown. Oliveira had scrambled in to mount, but Giagos was able to escape and get back to his feet. Oliveira backed him up against the cage and they were trading. Oliveira, we went for one last takedown, but Giagos stuffed it as the horn sounded. We headed to round 2 and Oliveira ripped off multiple spinning back fists. Giagos was throwing shots back. Oliveira again tried a flying knee. Oliveira landed a jumping front kick. Oliveira kept going back to the spinning back fist well. Giagos was continually being backed up against the fence. Oliveira again threw a jump kick and tried to clinch. Giagos swung and missed opening up a takedown for Oliveira. Oliveira easily transitions to the back of Giagos. He had a body triangle locked in. Oliveira then sunk in a deep rear naked choke and got the record-setting tap. Charles Oliveira is now the sole owner of most submission wins in UFC history. Oliveira is just so good when the fight goes to the mat. He has looked very good in this recent run at Lightweight and continues to just look better and better.
The Main card was next on FS1 as Randa “Quiet Storm” Markos (8-7-1 #13 Ranked Women’s Strawweight) took on UFC newcomer Marina Rodriguez (9-0-1). Markos came right out throwing hands trying to connect. They ended up clinched up against the fence with Rodriguez holding her against the fence. Markos scored a takedown and was on top. Markos ended up in full mount on the ground. Markos postured up and landed a few big punches. Rodriguez was able to get her into half guard. Markos was really applying top pressure very well. Markos was now in full side control and looking to soften up the body with big knee. Markos ended the round on top after owning the entire round. The second round started with a hard leg kick from Markos. Rodriguez landed a hard push kick to the body. Markos kept finding a home for her right hand. Rodriguez just missed with a head kick. There were now multiple right hands coming from Rodriguez now. These two were just trading combinations in the center of the Octagon. Rodriguez closed the round with some hard elbows and ducked a spinning back fist while landing a few more right hands as the horn sounded. The finals round was next as these two went right back at it. Markos tried to get a throw, but Rodriguez was able to evade. Rodriguez landed another hard elbow in the standup. Rodriguez came forward and was looking confident. Markos snuck in a double leg takedown and was on top with about three and a half minutes left. Rodriguez was able to get back to her feet and was looking to throw head kicks. Rodriguez was swinging for the fences and working over the legs with kicks. They traded one more time in the center of the Octagon as the round and fight came to an end. The judges scored this one 29-28 Markos, 28-28, and 28-28 for a majority draw. Well, this was a close fight so a draw makes sense. It was disappointing, and honestly, the takedowns of Markos should have made the difference on the cards.
The only former titleholder on the card Renan “The Baron” Barao (36-7 1NC) entered the cage and took on the debuting Andre Ewell (14-4). Barao missed with a head kick early. Barao did land a hard shot to the body that seemed to take the wind out of Ewell. As Barao rushed forward he got hit with a right hand that dropped Barao to the mat. Ewell tried to go down and end it, but Barao was able to get back up to his feet and clinch. Barao used the clinch to work a takedown. Barao had Ewell pressed up against the cage and was looking to move into a better position to open up a submission. Barao was working the body. Barao then started peppering Ewell with ground and pound. Barao transitioned to full mount and then latched on for an arm bar. Ewell was doing a good job staying in the fight and actually got back to his feet. Barao, however, took down Ewell back immediately. He ended the round on top of Ewell in his guard. We headed to round 2 and these guys were trading in the center of the cage. Ewell was really looking to land a big left hand. Barao was not really throwing any offense at all. Barao finally went for a takedown, but it was stuffed early. Barao kept grinding and used a trip to score the takedown with just under a minute left. Barao ended the round again on top on the mat. We headed to round 3 and it was Ewell landing on the feet and Barao not really returning. Ewell just kept landing his left hand right up the middle. Ewell caught a body kick again and unloaded with the left hand again. Ewell just kept throwing that left hand and landing. Barao finally got one in on Ewell, but Ewell responded and Barao was wobbled. Ewell landed a front kick to the face and a hard left hand again. Ewell again caught a body kick and landed a nice right hook. Barao threw a spinning wheel kick that missed and Ewell came rushing forward and these guys were just exchanging as the horn sounded. We headed to the judges and they scored it 29-28, 29-28, and 2829 for the split decision win for Andrew Ewell. This was a solid debut for Andre Ewell. He took down a former champion in Brazil with his good striking. He looked to get through the adversity of the first round and came back much stronger to get the win.
We went up to Light Heavyweight next as “Smile’N” Sam Alvey (33-11 1NC) took on a Brazilian legend in Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (23-7). Alvey was working short inside leg kicks early. Alvey then landed a nice left hook. Alvey was peppering in right hands and Nogueira was starting to fire back. Nogueira landed a nice combination with the left hand. Alvey kept going to the low kick. There was a brief stoppage due to an eye poke. There was a lot of feinting back and forth between these two. Nogueira just missed with a left hand and he was pressing Alvey back against the fence. Alvey hit a hard left hand that appeared to stumble Nogueira for a second. Alvey tried to jump in late in the round and ended up eating a hard counter combination just prior to the horn. We headed to round 2 and it was Nogueira who came out with big left hands that were landing. The left hands were forcing Alvey to run. Nogueira was relentless however and kept unloading on Alvey who dropped to the mat. Nogueira finished him off and Alvey protested the stoppage. The stoppage was legitimate and Nogueira turned back time in this matchup. Who knows what the future holds for him in the fight game, but this was a fun win for Little Nog.
The Co-Main event was up next as Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira (19-4-1 2NC #14 Ranked Welterweight) took on Carlo “Semento” Pedersoli (11-2). Cowboy threw an early head kick that was blocked. Pedersoli threw a sidekick and Cowboy caught him with a right hand that dummied Pedersoli. Cowboy pounced on top of him and just unloaded hammer fists. The fight was over almost as fast as it started. What a performance from Cowboy Oliveira here. He is such a dangerous striker and his power is unquestioned. He needs a ranked opponent next for sure.
We closed the show at 205lbs as Thiago “de Lima Marreta” Santos (18-6 #12 Ranked Middleweight) took on the late notice injury replacement “Ya Boi” Eryk Anders (11-1). Anders came right out looking to take control of the Octagon. Anders caught a body kick and Santo slipped to the mat. Anders tried to hold him down, but he got back to his feet. Anders was holding him against the fence and trying to work for a single leg takedown. Anders had him pressed against the fence and snuck in a knee to the face of Santos. Santos landed a really hard body kick after they separated. Anders ducked under a head kick. Anders kept moving forward and missed with a left hand. He had to eat a Santos left hand in return. Anders tried to change levels and secure a takedown. Anders did trip him to the mat, but Santos battled back to his feet relatively quickly Anders just continued to move forward and try to back Santos up. Santos missed with a head kick at the horn. We headed to round 2 and Santos led off with a kick to the body. These two then started trading big shots. This forced Anders to immediately try to go for a takedown. Anders slipped and ended up on his back. Santos dove right into his guard and Santos was unloading with big shots from the top. Santos backed up and Anders stayed on his back. Santos dove back in and was trying to work the ground and pound. Anders got back to his feet and ate a hard knee to the face. They then traded shots back and forth and Anders appeared to stumble for a second. They were dancing around and Santos landed another hard kick to the body. Anders responded with a hard right hand. Santos hit three big left hands and Anders was running. Anders went to a knee and got back up. Santos landed another hard elbow standing. There was a brief eye poke stoppage as Anders got caught. On the restart Anders avoided a head kick and then scored a late takedown to end the round. They touched gloves in round 3 and it was Anders moving forward again. Santos threw a low kick and then followed it up with another leg kick. Anders came forward and landed some hard punches that led to a takedown. Anders was all over Santos with some ground and pound. Anders then transitioned to take Santos back. Anders was trying to work for a rear naked choke, but Santos did a good job defending it. Santos was able to escape and we were back on the feet. Santos now was pushing the pace with a big head kick that was blocked. These guys were trading with Santos landing big heavy shots against the cage. Anders clinched and pressed Santos back up against the fence. They separated and Anders was coming forward again. He had to eat a knee but scored the takedown of Santos. Anders was on top on the mat looking to ground and pound. Santos struggled and got back up to his feet, but Anders was right back on him searching for a takedown. Santos was landing elbows that actually knocked the mouthpiece out of Anders’ mouth. Anders was working for a takedown and was just eating punches and elbows from Santos. Anders looked done at the end of the round. He tried to get up and as his corner helped him go he fell to the ground. They tried one more time and he hit the ground again. That is where referee Mark Goddard stepped in and waved this fight off. Thiago Santos got the win, and he used that short ground and pound to just end this fight. Anders was completely exhausted and ate so many punches in the last 20 seconds of the round. This was a solid debut for Thiago Santos at 205lbs. It will be interesting to see what the matchup is when he gets back in the Octagon.
This was a fun night of fights in Sao Paulo. There were a ton of finishes up and down the card. The Brazilian fans certainly got treated to some fun where 11 of the winners hailed from Brazil. That just always seems to be the case when the UFC heads to Brazil. The card may have ben overlooked but it certainly provided a ton of entertainment. Now we head to UFC 229 and the biggest matchup in the UFC’s history. The card is headlined by Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov (26-0 Lightweight Champion) taking on “The Notorious” Conor McGregor (21-3 #1 Ranked Lightweight) in a long-anticipated matchup. That card is stacked with ranked matchups and is only two weeks away. Fingers crossed we don’t get any weight cutting issues or late camp injuries that derail this action-packed card.
