The Ultimate Fighter Brasil 3 - Results and Updates

[keithlewis]

TUF Brasil 3: Episode 9 Recap

Courtesy of Dan Downes - UFC.com


The focus of this week’s episode immediately centers around the fight between Marmota and Warlley. The final middleweight match in the quarterfinal round, Chael Sonnen places a trust in Warlley that we havent seen in previous fights this season. He boldly states that, “If Marmota beats Warlley, I’ll call Dana White and tell him to sign this guy.” The American Gangster is never short on confidence, but he seems especially secure in Warlley’s ability to keep Team Sonnen’s winning streak going.

We then learn a little bit more about each fighter. Marmota has very humble roots, and talks about how he often went hungry as a child. He was adopted at the age of 7, but lost his mother at the age of 14. Other fighters often talk about the support they receive from their family, but not Marmota. He says that no one in his life back up his decision to fight and he did it all on his own. This has molded his style and he fights, “like there’s no tomorrow.”

Warlley’s path to MMA began early on in life. Only 23 years old, he mentions that he was expelled from three different schools for fighting. He may have gotten into fights on the playground, but Warlley has another disagreement to handle at the TUF house. The other members of Team Sonnen are sitting outside and try to talk to him about his attitude on the training mat. They like him personally, but find him far too arrogant and don’t appreciate the way he talks to them during practice. If you assumed that Warlley heard their concerns and responded in a measured way...you’d be wrong. He doesn’t understand what they’re talking about and flat out says, “I won’t change.”

After the not so successful intervention, Chael and Wanderlei get physical. Don’t worry, it’s not another altercation, it’s this season’s coaches challenge. With the World Cup taking place in Brazil this summer, the challenge is soccer themed. After navigating a number of agility and soccer ball handling drills, each coach must score a goal. The first person to complete the course three times wins. The two start off close, but Wanderlei struggles with the ball handling drill. Chael takes the lead from that point and never relinquishes it. He wins the challenge along with 75,000 Reals (about $33,000). Team Sonnen hasn’t won many games this season, but as Bomba puts it, “Thank God we won the most important game -- the money game.” Wanderlei takes a little grief for losing to an American in a soccer challenge, but he’s not worried. He promises he’ll win the fight. Unlike Bomba, that’s the only game that matters to him.

After a hard day of training both teams come back to the house and discover a rack of Hawaiian shirts in the middle of the living room. They’re treated to a luau themed party with all the remaining women competing to be the next Octagon girl. There’s food, music and (most importantly) tiki drinks. As one can imagine, the cocktails lead to the classic adult party game “Truth or Dare.” There are even dares that lead to a couple of the fighters to kiss some of the girls ON THE LIPS! Good thing they air this season on the internet, because who knows if the FCC would approve such actions.

The next day Chael Sonnen stops by with the rest of the coaching staff to check on Warlley’s weight. It’s there that we learn that Peregrino in addition to being the comedian of the house is also quite the cook. Chael is surprised by Peregrino’s many traits while Warlley just calls him a “weird dude.” Enough about the multi-faceted nature of our favorite pilgrim, it’s fight time!

ROUND ONE

Warlley opens the round with some hard kicks. Marmota answers back and throws an overhand that narrowly misses. Marmota closes the distance with a flurry and the two grapple against the fence. Warlley slowly fights for position and locks up a full clinch. He throws a devastating head knee that rocks Marmota. Visibly stunned, Marmota tries to recover, but two more knees to the face force the referee to jump in and stop the action at the 3:38 mark of the first round. Team Sonnen keeps their win streak and Warlley just might have earned the knockout of the season.

Warlley celebrates, Marmota says, “Today wasn’t my day,” and Chael Sonnen’s prediction proves true. We wrap up with a sneak peek into next week’s episode. Can Team Sonnen’s streak continue? Does Jollyson bring momentum back to Team Silva? What will be the first semifinal matchup? Find out this and more next week on The Ultimate Fighter Brazil!

[keithlewis]

TUF Brasil 3: Episode 10 Recap

Courtesy of Dan Downes - UFC.com



After losing the first few fights of the season, the mood on Team Sonnen has drastically changed. They’ve taken the last three fights and Pezao, (their “big gun” according to Chael Sonnen) still hasn’t fought yet. He’s set to face Jollyson in the final heavyweight fight of the first round. Wanderlei realizes that his fighter has the deck stacked against him, but believes that Jollyson has all the necessary skills to win.

After watching each team’s preparations during fight week, we learn more about this week’s combatants. Jollyson describes himself as a “peaceful kid.” He had a nice childhood, and talks about how people he knows are surprised that he became a professional fighter. He found MMA because he enjoyed competing, and he had a natural talent for it. As for the game plan, Wanderlei wants Jollyson to use a lot of kicks. He believes that his fighter has the cardio advantage, and wants him to push the pace. Unlike Jollyson, Pezao did not have such a peaceful upbringing. He admits that he was “lost” as a youth and became heavily involved in drugs. Martial arts were a way for him to find himself and do something productive. He also plans to push the pace and continually move forward during the fight. Wary of Jollyson’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, the last thing he wants to do is bring this fight to the ground. With two heavyweights planning on running at each other, the chances for this one going the distance are slim.

Weigh-ins go without incident, and Warlley gives high praise for his teammate. He calls Pezao “the most dangerous heavyweight here,” and gives Jollyson next to no chance of winning. He says that the Team Silva fighter is one dimensional and that he’ll probably get his head taken off by one of Pezao’s high kicks. We’ll see if that talk is misplaced because it’s fight time!

ROUND ONE

The two touch gloves and Pezao kicks immediately. Jollyson doesn’t lose his head, but he does take another clean head kick. This gives him a sense of urgency as he throws a big overhand punch and moves in for the takedown. He pushes his opponent against the fence and the two fight for position. They trade knees, reverse position and grind on each other for the advantage. After stalling, the two break apart and resume striking. After eating a stiff jab, Jollyson jumps in for a takedown. As he leads in, Pezao grabs a guillotine and jumps up trying to finish. His grip slips, though, and Jollyson starts kicking the downed opponent from open guard. Jollyson then moves into Pezao’s closed guard, but can’t hold the big man down. The two are back on their feet and Pezao reaches for another guillotine. It’s not in tight so he releases, punches and slams Jollyson to the ground.

Pezao attacks from top position and the ref stops the fight. He calls in the doctor and we hear Jollyson accuse Pezao of biting his finger. He asks for a disqualification, but the ref rules the event accidental because Jollyson stuck his fingers into Pezao’s mouth during a scramble.

They restart and soon clinch up. Pezao gets a waistlock, and goes for a lateral drop. He can’t finish it, but fails and winds up with Jollyson on top of him. The BJJ black belt has mount, but only 15 seconds to work. Pezao holds on tight and the round expires before Jollyson can work a submission.

ROUND TWO

Jollyson kicks and forces the clinch again. Pezao slowly works for the underhooks, and finally breaks free. Jollyson continues to charge forward, and tries for another trip takedown. Pezao counters, dumps Jollyson on the mat and works from half guard. He’s unable to advance, backs out and has the ref stand them up. Jollyson is visibly fatigued and starts throwing wild haymakers. One of these punches throws him off balance; Pezao capitalizes and puts him on his back. The Team Sonnen “big gun” then unleashes some brutal ground and pound. Jollyson doesn’t appear to have any answers, and just holds on tight as the round ends.

The judges give the unanimous decision to Pezao. Wanderlei gives the opposing team credit. Their strategy centered around putting Pezao on the ground, but his takedown defense was the deciding factor. A completely unsurprised Chael Sonnen continues his lofty praise for his big gun. “There are martial artists, and there are fighters. [Pezao] is a fighter.

With that win, Pezao evens up the fight records to 4-4 for the opposing teams. We then move directly into the semifinal deliberations. Dana White brings each semifinalist into the office and teleconferences with them and the two coaches. Amazingly, the two coaches actually agree on all the matchups. Is reconciliation close? Probably not, but here are the semifinal matches:

Heavyweight
Pezao vs. Cara de Sapato
Vitor vs. Rick Monstro

Middleweight
Wagnao vs. Warlley
Demente vs. Lyoto

Looks like we’ll keep the Team Sonnen vs. Team Wanderlei motif going into the semis! We wrap up with a sneak peek into next week’s episode. Can Wagnao overcome Warlley’s power? Do Cara de Sapato’s jokes come back to haunt him against Pezao? Will Chael Sonnen dance again? Find out this and more next week on The Ultimate Fighter Brazil!

[keithlewis]

TUF Brasil 3: Episode 11 Recap

Courtesy of Dan Downes - UFC.com



The episode opens with the fighters deliberating about which two finalists they’ll choose for the “TUF Muse” competition. Like true scholars of the game, they review all the pertinent film. After judiciously breaking down the footage, the fighters choose Ana Cecilia and Fernanda Hernandes

From there we move directly to the first semifinal fight between Warlley and Wagnao. On the team Sonnen side, Coach Chael starts to tone down the intensity and gives a speech to his remaining fighters. He speaks about how there will be a lot of emotions flowing through them, but, “not one of those emotions will help you.” He emphasizes that, “Actions win fights...It’s not the best fighter that wins, it’s the one who fights the best.” As far as game plans are concerned, Warlley focuses on his takedown defense. In order to help with that preparation, Chael brings in decorated Greco and freestyle wrestler Erick Albarracin to the gym to help. He also teaches the guys some interesting jump rope maneuvers and dancing.

On the Team Silva side, Wagnao focuses on slowing down Warlley’s explosive striking. If Warlley is tired, he can’t bounce around and use his athleticism. As a result, Wagnao plans on pinning his opponent against the fence and wearing him down. Once Warlley fatigues, the jiu jitsu ace can convert his takedowns much easier. Now that the semifinal fights are slated for three full rounds, this strategy could be much more viable.

Bruce Buffer stops by, and signals his arrival by yelling, “It’s time!” In all the seasons of The Ultimate Fighter, he’s never once visited the set. The fighters are excited because they’ve all dreamed about the opportunity of having him announce their name inside the Octagon. They’ll have to settle for having him at weigh-in for right now, because it’s fight time!

ROUND ONE

True to style, Warlley comes out swinging. He opens up with a high kick, and follows up with two power punches that jar Wagnao. There’s a brief pause and Warlley rips a leg kick. Wagnao tries to bring the fight to the ground, but slips. He partially recovers and still attempts the takedown. As he gets his arms around Warlley and pushes the fight against the cage, Warlley reaches for the guillotine and locks it up. Wagno tries to pull him off, but it’s too tight. He taps out only 25 seconds into the first round.

Chael Sonnen says that when Warlley fights, “If you blink, you’re gonna miss it,” and he’s right on point. Wanderlei is upset that Wagnao didn’t have the opportunity to show off his skills, but gives credit to Warlley. He also points out Wagnao’s technical error. When moving in for the takedown, Wagnao let his head get on the outside of the leg. Not only did this give the guillotine opportunity, but continuing to drive forward made the choke even tighter.

There’s no time to let that fight sink in, though, because we move straight to the first heavyweight semifinal fight between Pezao and Cara de Sapato. The teams’ strategies remain remarkably similar from the last fight. Team Sonnen’s Pezao needs to prevent the fight from going to the ground, and wants to use his power advantage to get the knockout. A world jiu jitsu champion, Cara de Sapato spends practice time working on advancing position and moving to mount. It won’t be an easy task because Pezao has a 22 lbs. weigh advantage. Cara gets a quick pep talk from former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos over the computer, and we move right to the second fight of the day.

ROUND ONE

They touch gloves and Pezao connects with a hook, cross combination. Pezao scores with a low kick and Cara runs forward to close the distance. He leaves his well-defined jaw sticking out and absorbs a powerful right hand. He gives back some punches of his own, and initiates the clinch against the fence. They separate, but Cara refuses to give Pezao any room to breathe (these two are setting a blistering pace for any weight class, much less heavyweight). They clinch again and exchange knees. Pezao doesn’t generate a lot of offense, but he does a good job of smothering Cara against the cage. The Team Silva fighter finally gets a little space, and that’s all he needs to finish a takedown. Pezao rises to his feet, but turns his back in the process. Cara grabs a waistlock and uses it to suplex Pezao back to the mat. Cara cinches up a body triangle and transitions to the rear naked choke. The tap comes at the 2:19 mark and Cara moves to the finals.

Wanderlei calls the match an “awesome fight,” and Chael credits Cara de Sapato for his strategy. Chael cites Pezao’s slight hesitation after the suplex for the loss. He’s thinks the move stunned the big man enough that it gave Cara the opening he needed to sink the choke. Despite the disappointment of not making it to the finals, Pezao gives an emotional thank you to Chael Sonnen. He admits that he’s changed his opinion on West Linn Oregon’s baddest man, and Chael has given him “lessons he’ll never forget.”

We close out with a sneak peek into next week. Can Lyoto’s karate lead him to the finals against Demente? Does Vitor Miranda have enough ability to overpower Rick Monstro? How will Chael and Wanderlei wrap up the season? Find out his and more next week on The Ultimate Fighter Brazil!

[keithlewis]

TUF Brasil 3: Episode 12 Recap

Courtesy of Dan Downes - UFC.com



This week’s episode opens with the second middleweight semifinal between Team Sonnen’s Lyoto and Team Wanderlei’s Demente. Erick Albarracin is still with Team Sonnen and continues to show them new wrestling techniques. Lyoto is especially grateful for his presence because he knows how important takedown defense will be for victory. He plans on using his footwork and karate to get the knockout. As far as Demente is concerned, he calls Lyoto a “dangerous man” on the feet, but he’ll take this fight anywhere because game plans go out the window once the bell rings. We don’t have to wait long to see the effectiveness of this philosophy because it’s fight time!

ROUND ONE

Working from a southpaw stance, Lyoto rattles off kick and punch combos as the round begins. He attacks from different levels and strikes at Demente’s legs and head. Demente takes the range away by charging forward and the two are against the fence. He tries for a takedown, but Lyoto defends. They jockey for position, and Lyoto hits a foot sweep that gives him enough space to return back to the center of the Octagon. Once he’s back in the open, Lyoto’s legs and arms start flying. His repeatedly push kicks and one of them drops Demente to the mat. Lyoto lets him back up, and hits a couple kness from the Thai clinch. Demente pummels into position and pushes Lyoto against the cage. From them he smothers, knees and foot stomps his way to the close of round one.

ROUND TWO

Lyoto keeps hammering away with his left leg and hand. Demente tries to close the distance, but can’t cope with Lyoto’s impressive footwork and absorbs counter strikes in the process. They trade strikes, but the output has slowed from the first round. Demente finally does some damage to Lyoto, but it’s with a low blow. After the restart, Demente continues to press forward. Lyoto tries to stop this pressure with the clinch, but can’t control the aggression. Lyoto kicks, Demente swings big haymakers, but neither can connect with a strike of consequence. In the final minute, both fighters struggle to gain momentum, but Demente looks much fresher.

ROUND THREE

Despite the fatigue, Lyoto continues to kick and find the mark for his left cross. Demente responds with an overhand right and starts to pour it on. Lyoto separates, but can’t break Demente’s offensive onslaught. A head kick finally stops the advance, but damage starts to accumulate. The other fighters in the background start cheering the men to push though, and they respond in kind. They clinch, Demente goes for the takedown and Lyoto defends. They stall against the fence and the ref breaks them apart. Even though he has his hands on his hips, Lyoto still manages to land another left hand. The round ends, and we’re heading to the judge’s scorecards.

It’s a close fight, and Lyoto takes it by split decision. Demente is disappointed, but he vows to continue to fight. Lyoto re-injured his foot in the fight but he has a lot of time to heal up before the finale. As he’s putting ice on the foot, Warlley walks up to his teammate and apologizes in advance for having to punch him in the face.

We then shift focus to the final fight of the season between Rick Monstro and Vitor. Rick hitches his victory on getting the takedown and Vitor knows it. Both are tarining partners with Team Nogueira and are quite familiar with each other’s style. Despite being friends, they realize that they have mutually exclusive goals and that they’re just doing their jobs.

ROUND ONE

Both land stiff jabs as the round starts, but Rick is able to recover quicker. He pushes through and attempts a takedown, but Vitor scrambles and returns to his feet. Rick pushes the fight back against the fence and throws a big uppercut. IT lands, but it also gives Vitor enough room to circle back to the center. They fight against the fence again, but this time Vitor lands knees from the clinch. He starts to get his rhythm, but Rick answers with a power punch and Vitor backs off.

Rick rushes for the takedown, but Vitor reverse position and knees. He controls the clinch and slides out the back to grab a waistlcock. Rick counters with a kimura, and they break the grappling battle. Rick comes back with a flurry, but starts to breathe heavily. Vitor pounces on the opportunity and lands another knee to the body that causes Rick to fall backward. Vitor lets his opponent stand, but Rick milks it so that only three seconds remain by the time they restart. Vitor kicks and the round ends.

ROUND TWO

Vitor kicks and Rick charges forward. Vitor sprawls perfectly and takes top position. He starts unloading the ground and pound and Rick turtles up. It’s only a matter of time and the referee stops the fight only 33 seconds into the round. Vitor advances to the finals with a second round TKO.

The finals are set, and we wrap up the episode with a preview of next week’s event. Can Cara de Sapato’s grappling overcome Vitor’s power? Does Warlley find an answer for Lyoto’s karate? How does Fabio Maldonado slow down fast rising heavyweight Stipe Miocic? Find out this and more next week on The Ultimate Fighter Brazil Finale!