Renan Barao successfully defended his interim bantamweight title to beat Michael McDonald Saturday night in London. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Renan Barao successfully defended his UFC interim bantamweight title, submitting Michael McDonald in the fourth round of the UFC on FUEL TV 7 main event at Wembley Arena in London on Saturday night.

The defending interim champ brought the fight to the ground and sank an arm-triangle choke, forcing McDonald to tap out at 3:57 of the round.

“I feel great,” Barao said following his win in the United Kingdom. “That was a lot of hard work.”

Barao got the takedown early in the first round, working in guard until McDonald was able to get back to the feet. Both fighters had moments of punching flurries, going back and forth halfway through the frame. McDonald stunned his opponent, letting free with a combination, but was taken down shortly after. The round finished on the ground, and was razor-close for the entire five-minute period.

McDonald continued pressuring the interim champ, opening up a cut over Barao’s right eye, but the Brazilian scored a takedown thereafter. Once back on the feet, an eye-poke by Barao paused the action, but they continued and traded strikes. Barao landed a front kick that backed his opponent up, but McDonald responded with a flurry before the end of the round.

Barao pressured the challenger, moving side to side and forward with a combinations of punches. He got the takedown and tried to gain mount, but McDonald bumped him off and returned to a standing fight. The champ landed a spinning-back kick in the final 30 seconds of the third round that sent McDonald reeling backwards.

McDonald stuffed a takedown in the first minute of the fourth round, but Barao kept moving forward to land combinations of strikes. McDonald had a bloody nose, and Barao continued throwing punches and kicks. Barao clinched and tossed McDonald, getting the fight to the ground where he secured the American’s back. From there, Barao transitioned to mount, wrapped up his opponent’s head and arm, and sank in the arm triangle for the finish.

“Domincik Cruz, I’m waiting for you,” Barao said, pleading for the current 135-pound champ to return from injury soon.

With the win, Barao retains the interim bantamweight title and maintains a 30-fight unbeaten streak.

Cub Swanson (pictured) won his bout at UFC on FUEL TV 7 on Saturday in London. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Cub Swanson (18-5) vs. Dustin Poirier (13-2) 

Cub Swanson went the distance to beat Dustin Poirier by unanimous decision in the co-main event at UFC on FUEL TV 7 on Saturday.

Swanson used a mixture of strikes on the feet, as well as superior ground technique to earn the decision with scores of 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27.

Swanson was active early on, throwing several haymaker punches. Poirier began to counter then went for a single-leg before clinching against the cage. Swanson landed an uppercut that shook Poirier, but was taken to ground again in the final minute of the round.

Round 2 began with Swanson landing body shots. He continued to pressure his opponent until Poirier clinched him up against the cage. After a failed spinning-back fist by Swanson, Poirier scored a double-leg takedown. The fight returned to the feet, however, where the fighters traded punches and kicks through the end of the round.

Poirier began to land more strikes as the third round began, landing combinations on the feet. Swanson scored a takedown, working in his opponent’s guard and landing elbows before transitioning to the back. Poirier attempted shaking his opponent off, but Swanson scrambled to mount. Poirier recovered and got back to his feet, but Swanson got him down again with a head-and-arm toss in the final minute before time expired.

With the win, Swanson scores his fourth win in a row and will likely be in talks about being the No. 1 contender to Jose Aldo’s featherweight title.

Jimi Manuwa vs. Cyrille Diabate

Cyrille Diabate injured himself in the first round and was unable to continue before the second to give Jimi Manuwa the TKO-win in their UFC on FUEL main card fight on Saturday.

Manuwa got the takedown early in the first round, keeping top control for a lengthy time before returning to the feet. He continued to pressure Diabate, landing a mixture of strikes before getting another takedown prior to the round ending.

Diabate was unable to answer the bell before Round 2 began due to a leg injury, giving Manuwa the technical knockout and 13th win to add to his undefeated record.

Gunnar Nelson vs. Jorge Santiago

Gunnar Nelson shut out Jorge Santiago to earn a unanimous decision at UFC on FUEL in London on Saturday.

Nelson kept his hands low, but scored a takedown in the first round while his opponent tried to find his range. The second round had Nelson apply another takedown just past the first minute, landing strikes from top position thereafter and passing the guard to mount before the round ended. Santiago found success landing strikes on the feet in the third, but Nelson reacted well and landed punches to earn the win.

Judges scored the bout 29-28, 29-28, 30-27.

James Te Huna (15-5) vs. Ryan Jimmo (17-1) 

James Te Huna defeated Ryan Jimmo by unanimous decision in their main card fight at UFC on FUEL TV 7.

Te Huna recovered from a first-round headkick, taking down Jimmo in the second and third rounds which opened up a heavy ground-and-pound assault. Judges scored the fight 29-27, 29-28, 29-28.

Che Mills vs. Matt Riddle

Matt Riddle won a split decision over Che Mills in the UFC on FUEL opening main card fight. Riddle neutralized Mills’ stand-up, bringing the fight to the ground on numerous occasions and controlling from that position.

Judges scored the fight 29-28, 28-29 and 30-27, giving the American a win over the homeland fighter.

Preliminary Bouts (on Facebook):

Renee Forte def. Terry Etim by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Danny Castillo def. Paul Sass by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Andy Ogle def. Josh Grispi by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Tom Watson def. Stanislov Nedkov by TKO at 4:42, Round 2
Vaughan Lee def. Motonobu Tezuka by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Phil Harris def. Ulysses Gomez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

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Watch the UFC on Fuel: Barao vs. McDonald press conference now on GRACIEMAG.com.

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visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section

The post VIDEO: Watch the ‘UFC on Fuel: Barao vs. McDonald’ Press Conference on GRACIEMAG.com first appeared on Graciemag.]]> https://www.graciemag.com/night-of-finishes-at-ufc-on-fuel/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=night-of-finishes-at-ufc-on-fuel Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:00:27 +0000 https://www.graciemag.com/?p=47278 The UFC touched down in Sweden for the first time this Saturday. To many, the most striking part of the evening in Stockholm was the knockouts: Brian Stann’s on Alessio Sakara, Siyar Bahadurzada’s on Paulo Thiago… —the Brazilian elite police trooper kissing the canvas was worth a 50,000 “Knockout of the Night” bonus for “The…

John Maguire subbed DaMarques Johnson via armbar and took home extra 50 grand. Photo: UFC

The UFC touched down in Sweden for the first time this Saturday. To many, the most striking part of the evening in Stockholm was the knockouts: Brian Stann’s on Alessio Sakara, Siyar Bahadurzada’s on Paulo Thiago… —the Brazilian elite police trooper kissing the canvas was worth a 50,000 “Knockout of the Night” bonus for “The Great” of Afghanistan.

However, UFC on Fuel also drew wows for the number of finishes, six of them out of a total 12 fights. There were five chokes—four rear-nakeds and one guillotine—and an armbar that earned best-of-the-night honors, performed by John Maguire on DaMarques Johnson. Now the “Fight of the Night” bonus went to the Brad Pickett-Damacio Page matchup, won by the former via rear-naked choke.

In the event headliner, Alexander Gustafsson dominated Thiago Silva for three rounds and took the unanimous nod from the judges. The Brazilian is coming off three back-to-back poor results, two losses and one no contest, while local boy Gustafsson hasn’t lost in five fights.

Check out the complete results:

UFC on Fuel TV
Stockholm, Sweden
Saturday, April 14, 2012

Alexander Gustafsson defeated Thiago Silva via unanimous decision;
Brian Stann defeated Alessio Sakara via KO in R1;
Siyar Bahadurzada defeated Paulo Thiago via KO in R1;
Dennis Siver defeated Diego Nunes via unanimous decision;
John Maguire defeated DaMarques Johnson via armbar in R2;
Brad Pickett defeated Damacio Page via rear-naked choke in R2;
James Head submitted Papy Abedi via rear-naked choke in R1;
Cyrille Diabete defeated Tom DeBlass via majority decision;
Francis Carmont subbed Magnus Cedenblad via rear-naked choke in R2;
Reza Madadi subbed Toislandy Izquierdo via guillotine in R2;
Simeon Thoresen subbed Besam Yousef via rear-naked choke in R2;
Jason Young defeated Eric Wisely via unanimous decision.

The post Night of finishes at UFC on Fuel first appeared on Graciemag.]]>

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John Maguire finalizou DaMarques Johnson com um armlock e faturou 50 mil. Foto: UFC

O UFC chegou à Suécia pela primeira vez neste sábado. Para muitos, a noite em Estocolmo ficou caracterizada pelos nocautes, o de Brian Stann contra Alessio Sakara e o de Siyar Bahadurzada sobre Paulo Thiago, que fez o caveira do Bope beijar a lona em 42 segundos e valeu o prêmio de melhor da noite, o equivalente a 50 mil dólares a mais na conta.

No entanto, o UFC on Fuel também impressionou pelas finalizações, ao todo seis nos 12 combates. Foram cinco estrangulamentos – quatro de mata-leão e um de guilhotina – e um armlock, justamente a melhor finalização, executada por John Maguire sobre DaMarques. Já a melhor luta contou com o mata-leão de Brad Pickett em Damacio Page.

No confronto principal, Alexander Gustafsson dominou e venceu Thiago Silva por decisão unânime. O brasileiro vem de três resultados ruins, duas derrotas e um no contest, enquanto o sueco Gustafsson não perde há cinco desafios.

Confira todos os resultados:

UFC on Fuel TV
Estocolmo, Suécia
Sábado, 14 de abril de 2012

Alexander Gustafsson venceu Thiago Silva por decisão unânime
Brian Stann venceu Alessio Sakara por KO no R1
Siyar Bahadurzada venceu Paulo Thiago por KO no R1
Dennis Siver venceu Diego Nunes por decisão unânime
John Maguire finalizou DaMarques Johnson com um armlock no R2
Brad Pickett venceu Damacio Page com um mata-leão no R2
James Head finalizou Papy Abedi com um mata-leão no R1
Cyrille Diabate venceu Tom DeBlass por decisão majoritária
Francis Carmont finalizou Magnus Cedenblad com um mata-leão no 2R
Reza Madadi finalizou Yoislandy Izquierdo com uma guilhotina no R2
Simeon Thoresen finalizou Besam Yousef com um mata-leão no R2
Jason Young venceu Eric Wisely por decisão unânime

Feras do Jiu-Jitsu e do MMA, Diego Sanchez e Jake Ellenbeger honraram a posição principal do card de estreia do Ultimate Fighting Championship no canal americano Fuel, da FOX. (Veja os resultados completos clicando aqui.)

Após uma luta empolgante, que por pouco não terminou com um quê de reviravolta, Ellenberger foi declarado vencedor na decisão unânime dos jurados. Com a vitória – sua sexta consecutiva -, Ellenberger se colocou na linha de frente dos meio-médios. Lutando em casa, Jake ainda contou com o apoio da torcida que, barulhenta, ovacionou o “pupilo”.

Embora não tenha saído com a vitória, Sanchez provou o porquê de ainda ser considerado um dos lutadores mais duros do UFC. Dificultando a vida de Ellenberger, o vencedor peso médio da primeira temporada do TUF superou os claros danos sofridos em seu rosto e surpreendeu no fim do terceiro round, mantendo o adversário contra o chão e bombardeando-o com socos que, não fosse o soar do gongo, poderiam ter dado outro desfecho ao embate.

A resistência de Diego foi reconhecida pelo adversário, que comentou ao fim da luta: “O Diego é o cara mais difícil que já enfrentei, e é um verdadeiro guerreiro. Ele esteve presente em todos os minutos da luta, foi uma honra enfrentá-lo”. Ellenberger agora anota 10 vitórias em suas 11 últimas pelejas.

Na co-luta principal da noite, o “Arranha-céus” Stefan Struve contou com um certeiro upper de direita para derrubar Dave Herman e anotar a 27ª vitória de sua carreira profissional. Apesar da vitória, Struve lamentou a falta de emoção do round inicial, marcado por uma trocação sem muitos riscos. “Minha energia estava um pouco baixa”, lamentou Struve, que pôs fim a uma sequência de três vitórias do adversário.

Em sua estreia nos pesos médios, Ronny superou um round inicial adverso e usou uma irrepreensível defesa de quedas para conquistar a vitória, por decisão dividida dos jurados, sobre Aaron Simpson. Ao final da equilibrada batalha, o potiguar fez um pedido especial à organização: “Quero lutar no UFC Brasil”. Foi a 13ª vitória do brasileiro em sua carreira profissional – contra apenas uma única derrota.

O brasileiro entrou bem para a luta, desferindo socos e pressionando Simpson contra a grade. Contudo, logo o rival virou o jogo, derrubando Markes com um uppercut de direita e castigando-o no chão. Ronny, no entanto, conseguiu se recuperar e, em um equilibrado segundo assalto, aplicou uma queda.  Com a batalha emparelhada, os dois retornaram pressão. Porém, aparentando ter mais gás no fim, Ronny usou os momentos finais para aplicar outra queda, levando a decisão dividida.

Fera de El Salvador, Menjivar encaixa o mata-leão em John Albert, como Sakuraba ensinava.

Menjivar finaliza,  Dillashaw passeia

Abrindo o card principal com o pé direito, Ivan Menjivar levou a melhor “de virada” sobre John Albert em uma luta emocionante. Menjivar, que chegou muito perto de ser nocauteado, utilizou sua experiência para reverter uma tentativa frustrada de guilhotina e pegar as costas do adversário, finalizando-o com um mata-leão aos 3 minutos e 45 segundos do primeiro round. “Pensei no que Sakuraba (ídolo do MMA) faria e fiz”, revelou Menjivar, que levou o bônus de finalização da noite.

Na luta seguinte, Walel Watson não deu muito trabalho para TJ Dillashaw, finalista do TUF 14. Watson, que até chegou a esboçar uma reação no terceiro round, foi totalmente dominado durante os 10 minutos iniciais,  aceitando, inerte, muito castigo no chão. A batalha unilateral terminou nas mãos dos jurados, que marcaram 30-25, 30-25 e 30-26.

As papeletas, contudo, sequer tiveram que dar as caras no embate posterior. Em menos de um minuto, o peso pesado Stipe Miocic utilizou suas fortes mãos – mais especificamente uma providencial bomba de direita – para levar Philip De Fries à lona e manter sua invencibilidade.

Fera da GB vence brasileiro

A noite não começou bem para os brasileiros. Na terceira batalha da noite, Vagner Rocha viu sua estreia como peso pena chegar ao fim a 1 minuto e 32 segundos do primeiro round. O algoz do faixa-preta foi Jonathan Brookins, aluno da Gracie Barra e vencedor do TUF 12, que nocauteou o brasileiro com potentes golpes de direita.  Com a derrota, Rocha agora anota 7 vitórias e 3 derrotas em seu cartel profissional. “Vagner é muito duro, todos os respeitam, então estou muito agradecido e descobri que amo Omaha também”, elogiou o simpático Brookins, levantando a torcida. “Quero crescer cada vez mais, então estou feliz por ter a chance de continuar crescendo nesta grande organização”.

Em sua estreia no octógono mais famoso do mundo, Bernardo “Trekko” Magalhães viu o fim de sua sequência vitoriosa de cinco lutas. O brasileiro, que fez todas as suas pelejas profissionais na Austrália, não conseguiu superar a envergadura do americano Tim Means e, após ser dominado com duros golpes contra o corpo e cabeça por três rounds, perdeu na decisão unânime dos jurados. Trekko, que viveu seu melhor momento com uma bela raspagem no primeiro round, foi castigado ainda por duras joelhadas.

Ronny defeated Karlos Vemola last August in his first fight under the UFC banner. Photo: UFC.

Ronny Markes made his UFC debut beating Karlos Vermola by unanimous decision last August. Whereas that time Markes fought at light heavyweight, this time he will be doing battle at middleweight, when he takes on the tough Aaron Simpson on February 15 in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, at UFC on Fuel TV 1. While the Jair Lourenço black belt and Nova União rep Markes carries a five-fight win streak into the match, Simpson has won his last three.

Jiu-Jitsu will also be on display in other fights on the night. In the main event, Diego Sanchez takes on Jake Ellenberger. Another black belt to take to the cage at the event is Rani Yahya, who lost to Chad Mendes at UFC 133, who will test his mettle against TUF 12 winner Jonathan Brookins. Check out the card as it stands:

UFC on Fuel TV 1
Omaha, Nebraska, USA
February 15, 2012

Diego Sanchez vs Jake Ellenberger

Dave Herman vs Stefan Struve

Aaron Simpson vs Ronny Markes

Rani Yahya vs Jonathan Brookins

Ronny venceu Karlos Vemola em agosto, na primeira luta dele no UFC. Foto: UFC.

Ronny Markes estreou bem no UFC vencendo Karlos Vermola por decisão unânime, em agosto. O combate rolou pela categoria dos meio-pesados, e o potiguar resolveu descer de categoria. Agora Ronny encara a divisão dos médios e o debute já esta marcado para o dia 15 de fevereiro, em Omaha, Estados Unidos, pelo UFC on Fuel TV 1. O faixa-preta de Jair Lourenço enfrentará o duro Aaron Simpson, que vem numa sequência de três vitórias no Ultimate.

O Jiu-Jitsu vai estar bem representado também nas outras lutas. No combate principal, Diego Sanchez enfrenta Jake Ellenberger. Outro faixa-preta no evento é Rani Yahia, que perdeu para Chad Mendes no UFC 133 e mede forças com o campeão do TUF 12, Jonathan Brookins. Confira o card até o momento, abaixo.

UFC on Fuel TV 1

Omaha, Estados Unidos

15 de fevereiro de 2012

Diego Sanchez vs Jake Ellenberger

Dave Herman vs Stefan Struve

Aaron Simpson vs Ronny Markes

Rani Yahya vs Jonathan Brookins