Ismael Marreta defeats Vinc Pichel with confident performance on UFC 301 preliminary card

If the last time you set foot in Rio de Janeiro, Ismael Marreta won a brutal knockout, in UFC 301 the victory came safely but resoundingly. With strategic action towards Vinc Pichelthe Brazilian knew how to defend his rival’s takedowns, worked well on his striking and emerged victorious in the judges’ unanimous decision.

With the triumph, Marreta wins again in Ultimate, the second victory in three clashes in the organization. Now, the lightweight (up to 70.3kg) from Tupiniquim has a record of 20 positive results and four negative results in professional MMA.

A ‘different’ Muppet

Shortly after the bell sounded, Marreta adopted the strategy of kicking Pichel’s legs. The North American responded in kind with a blow to the Brazilian’s waistline. Marreta started to move forward and work on cross combinations. The two fighters started to resort to frank exchanges and excited the audience present at Farmasi Arena.

With exactly one minute remaining in the first round, the Brazilian landed a cross followed by a high kick that exploded in the North American’s face. In the final seconds, there was still time for Marreta to attempt a submission that Pichel managed to escape.

In the second half, Marreta continued to keep the fight standing and working well with combinations of crosses and jabs. Marreta landed a cross that shook the North American, however, cautiously, the Tupiniquim preferred not to attempt the blitz. Halfway through the round, Pichel began to appear tired and Marreta began to capitalize by working on his striking without much aggression but with volume.

The third round began with Pichel trying to take control of the fight, but Marreta quickly balanced the confrontation. The Brazilian landed a flying knee, followed by a right that hit the North American squarely. Marreta continued to work his combinations well and strike his rival, who showed a very tough chin.

In the final minute, Marreta got into Pichel’s legs and took down his rival to guarantee the confrontation and wait for the last bell to ring.

Alessandro Costa defeats Kevin Borjas by knockout

The duel began with the two athletes studying each other hard and with little action in the first thirty seconds. The audience began shouting words of encouragement for the Brazilian but the duel remained warm and with few exchanges of blows. In the final minute of the round, Alessandro landed a jab that shook his rival, the Brazilian tried to explode and almost received a knee. A frank exchange in the final seconds lifted the audience and drew applause.

Right at the beginning of the second round, Alessandro started a sequence of low kicks that made the Peruvian feel his leg and limp. The Brazilian took advantage of the good moment to punish his rival who was in a lot of pain and had difficulty staying upright. After the Peruvian went to the ground, Costa went to mount and punished his rival with ground and pound until the central referee interrupted.