UFC 301: Brazilians stand out on the preliminary card with six wins

UFC 301, in Rio de Janeiro, this Saturday night (4), started with good victories for the Brazilians. In eight fights on the preliminary card, Brazil won six duels.

Highlight for Maurício Ruffy. The São Paulo native debuted in the franchise with a beautiful knockout, in the first round, against Australian Jamie Mullarkey, in the lightweight division (up to 70.3 kg).

He also made a point of challenging Russian Islam Makhachev, owner of the category belt and who has 13 consecutive victories.

“Makhachev can hope that his reign in the category will end. The champion has arrived who will take you down”, said Ruffy.

See a summary of the duels

Alessandro Costa knocks out Borjas

In the first duel of the night, valid for flyweight (under 56.7kg), Brazilian Alessandro Costa gave Peruvian Kevin Borjas no chance.

At 1’35” of the second round, the Brazilian took down Borjas, mounted and delivered several blows that made the referee stop the fight and declare victory by knockout for Costa.

Ismael ‘Marreta’ recovers in UFC

In the lightweight category (up to 70.3kg), after losing the last duel in the franchise to Benoit St.Louis, Ismael ‘Marreta’ Bonfim had an excellent clash with the American Vinc Pichel and secured his 20th career victory by decision unanimous.

Dione Barbosa debuts with victory

Brazilian Dione ‘The Witch’ Barbosa debuted in the UFC in the women’s flyweight division (up to 56.7 kg) with a close fight against Lithuanian Ernesta Kareckaite. With a unanimous decision, but a victory for Brazil. Dione reached the seventh victory in his career with two defeats.

Luffy puts on a show at the premiere

Another UFC newcomer of the night, Mauricio Ruffy from São Paulo faced Australian Jamie Mullarkey, who was in his 11th fight in the franchise, more than the Brazilian in his career. The duel was valid for lightweight (up to 70.3kg).

In the octagon, a Brazilian show. Ruffy dominated the fight and knocked out Mullarkey with a beautiful sequence of punches and kicks, which left the Australian’s face badly bruised. The victory came at 4’42” in the first round.

Neto BJJ loses

Joaquim Silva, Neto BJJ, and Drakkar Klose had a duel between UFC veterans, at lightweight (up to 70.3kg). In a very tight and studied fight, Neto was the first Brazilian to lose by unanimous decision, despite dominating the entire final round.

Elves Brener loses the first

Lightweight Elves Brener lost Myktybek Orolbai via unanimous decision. It was his second fight in the franchise and his first defeat. Chute Boxe athlete Diego Lima had the former lightweight champion, Charles do Bronx, in his corner.

Iasmin Lucindo scores third victory

UFC veteran Karolina Kowalkiewicz arrived for her 17th fight against young Brazilian Iasmin Lucindo, at strawweight (up to 52.1kg). The Ceará native won her third in four Ultimate duels by unanimous decision.

Joanderson Tubarão in great form

To close the preliminary card, Joanderson Tubarão achieved his fifth consecutive victory in the franchise by defeating Welshman Jack Shore, at featherweight, by technical knockout, at 3’35” of the second round.

Preliminary Card – Results

Featherweight (up to 65.7 kg): Joanderson Brito beat Jack Shore by technical knockout, at 3’35” of the second round;
Strawweight (up to 52.1 kg): Iasmin Lucindo beat Karolina Kowalkiewicz by unanimous decision;
Lightweight (up to 70.3 kg): Myktybek Orolbai beat Elves Brener by unanimous decision;
Lightweight (up to 70.3 kg): Drakkar Klose beat Joaquim Silva by unanimous decision;
Lightweight (up to 70.3 kg): Mauricio Ruffy beat Jamie Mullarkey by knockout, at 4’42” of the first round;
Flyweight (up to 56.7 kg): Dione Barbosa beat Ernesta Kareckaite by unanimous decision;
Lightweight (up to 70.3 kg): Ismael Bonfim beat Vinc Pichel by unanimous decision;
Flyweight (up to 56.7 kg): Alessandro Costa beat Kevin Borjas by knockout, at 1’36” of the second round.