By Jaime C. Feal
What an awesome show that was. Not one fight on Fuel TV went to decision, with 5 submissions and a knockout in the six live fights. In fact, the fights were finishing so fast, the UFC was able to show almost every prelim fight, which also featured many submission victories. Starting off the main card, TUF Brazil 1 Winner Rony Jason made short work of Mike Wilkinson with a sick triangle submission. Jason locked up the triangle from his back, rolled Wilkinson over, and starting landing unanswered elbows when the ref noticed Wilkinson was not responding. By the time the ref stepped in to stop the contest, Wilkinson was completely out, Rony Jason running celebratory circles around the Octagon to the delight of the Brazilian crowd. The official time came at 1:24 of Round 1, Rony Jason the winner via technical submission. Next we saw Daniel Sarafian, another TUF Brazil vet, take on Eddie Mendez is a middleweight clash. Sarafian used a judo trip to put Mendez on his back, then methodically worked to a dominant position, all the while locking in a vicious arm-triangle submission. The end came at 2:20 of the opening round, giving Daniel Sarafian his first UFC victory.
Welterweight Division (170 lbs.):
Erick “Indio” Silva (14-3, 2-2 UFC) vs. Jason “The Kansas City Bandit” High (16-3, 0-1 UFC)
Round 1:
High comes out swinging with kicks, but misses. High tries a one-two combination, but Silva backs away. Silva catches a leg kick, then sprawls nicely on a takedown attempt. Silva has the front headlock position, and is spinning to the back of High. Silva looking for the choke, but falling off, now switches to the triangle-armbar. High is locked in the triangle, and now his arm is getting extended, and he taps to the armbar. Impressive performance by Erick Silva.
Erick “Indio” Silva wins by submission at 1:11 of Round 1.
Light Heavyweight Division (205 lbs.):
Thiago Silva (14-3, 5-3 UFC) vs. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (11-3, 0-0 UFC)
Round 1:
Both fighters exchanging leg kicks to start. Feijao looking to load up on right hands, Silva covering up well, but it has him backing away. Feijao with a good right to the body, then a hard combination. Nice jab from Silva. Feijao back to the one-two, Silva covering up. Excellent head movement from Feijao, ducking under and away from Silva’s punches. Straight right to the body again lands for Feijao. Silva lands a heavy right hand that backs up Feijao. Outside leg kick lands for Silva. Feijao misses with a big right. Feijao still trying to load up, lands a hard spinning elbow. Silva swinging wildly with hooks, Feijao backs off. Silva lands a knee to the body. Fighters exchange jabs. Silva landing good punches now. Feijao starting to slow down, Silva still looks fresh. Outside leg kicks from Silva. Two hard right hands, and leg kick from Silva. Inside leg kick from Silva, waives Feijao on. Silva comes forward with an animalistic combo, a vicious short right uppercut dropping Feijao against the cage. Two more hard right hands seal the deal for Silva, a statement win over the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champ.
Thiago Silva wins by TKO at 4:11 of Round 1.
The Ultimate Fighter Brazil Season 2 Finale (170 lbs.):
William “Patolino” Macario (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Leonardo Santos (11-3, 0-0 UFC)
Round 1:
Patolino with an inside leg kick. The fighters clinch, and Santos has his back to the cage. The welterweights continue to grapple for position, neither man able to take the other down. They both break free. Santos lands a good shot. Patolino clinches and then gets a trip takedown. Patolino inside the closed guard of Santos, lands a nice short elbow. Good right hand from Macario, postures and stands up. More right hands from Macario, now working in half guard. Patolino continuing to score points with ground and pound. Santos is getting tagged with shots, precision punches coming from Macario. A couple left hands find their mark for Patolino, then Santos gets back to his feet. Patolino muscling Santos against the cage again, looking for a takedown. Under a minute to go, knee from Macario lands. Santos breaks free, good outside leg kick from Santos. Patolino again clinches, looking for a trip takedown, gets it. 10-9 round for Macario.
Round 2:
Santos coming forward, misses with a head kick. Santos sprawls nicely, lands a punch. Finally some good offense from Santos. Another right hand lands for Santos. Patolino gets pressed back, but is able to spin and reverse the position. The fighters break from the clinch, big knee gets through for Santos. Macario with his hands low, getting tagged. Patolino lands a good knee, gets a takedown. Patolino scoring with ground and pound. Santos trying to get to his feet, Macario lands a right hand. Santos gets up, eats a right hand for his trouble. Patolino again clinches with Santos, lands on top but held the cage. Ref stands them up and warns Patolino. Big right hand for Santos, Macario smiles. Santos lands a takedown, gets in side control. Santos immediately passes to mount. Santos turning it on, working on an arm triangle, bails on it. Ground and pound from Santos, not too much mustard on the shots. Santos has a head an arm triangle choke in very deep, passes to side control, and ultimately elicits the tap out. Leonardo Santos is The Ultimate Fighter Season 2 winner.
Leonardo Santos wins by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:43 of Round 2.
Heavyweight Division (265 lbs.):
Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira (34-7-1, 5-3 UFC) vs. Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum (16-5-1, 4-2 UFC)
Round 1:
Inside leg kicks land for Werdum. Nogueira gets tossed down, Werdum on top. Werdum and Nogueira in a technical battle, Werdum now settled in half guard. Werdum pounding on Nogueira as Big Nog goes for a takedown. Werdum stands up, heavyweights trade jabs. Werdum with an inside leg kick. Nog presses Fabricio against the cage. Good punches from Nogueira, Werdum backs up. Nogueira turning it on a little bit, Werdum s lightly wobbled. Fighters clinch n the cage, Nog with the beter position. Werdum with a jab, then looks at the clock, Werdum is tired. Nogueira scoring again, Werdum resisting the takedown. 10-9 round for Werdum.
Round 2:
Outside leg kick lands for Werdum. Nogueira trying to jab his way inside, but eating heavy leg kicks. Good right hand from Werdum, Big Nog undettered. Good combination from Nogueira, has Werdum clinched against the cage again now. Big Nog working dirty boxing, controlling the pace. Werdum looking for a double leg, Nog tries for a guillotine. Nog tries to turn it into a sweep, Werdum denies him. Werdum in side control. Werdum lands a couple punches in a scramble. Werdum spins to the back. Werdum has one hook in. Werdum looking for an armbar. Nog verbally submits, Werdum with a huge feather in his cap, moves into title contention in the heavyweight division.
Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum wins by submission (armbar) at 2:41 of Round 2.
