Rich Franklin withstood a concussive barrage, got in more hits and beat Wand via unanimous decision after five rounds in Belo Horizonte. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa/UFC.
UFC 147 is now history.
The event that packed Belo Horizonte, Brazil’s Mineirinho Gymnasium this Saturday night treated the crowd and TV audience around the world to some thrilling battles.
In the evening’s main event, Wanderlei Silva and Rich Franklin had a clash of the titans, fighting balls to the wall for five rounds.
Franklin, who withstood a near-technical knockout at the end of round two, was superior overall and won via unanimous judges’ decision.
Afterwards, to applauds and boos, he said: “I don’t remember anything that happened between the end of the second round and the start of the fifth, but that’s the kind of fight I like.”
Wanderlei, to a standing ovation from the crowd, sent thanks: “Sorry for not having finished Rich. I ended up getting tired. I love you all!”
Cezar Mutante hit hard, displayed some moves from his capoeira background but Sérgio Moraes held firm and nearly launched a comeback: “I managed to show my standup as well. That was what was most important,” said the Jiu-Jitsu champion, who stepped in for an injured Daniel Sarafian. Photos: Inovafoto/publicity.
In the two TUF Brazil finals, further excitement.
In the middleweight bout, Cezar Mutante didn’t accept Sérgio Moraes attempts at going to the ground and was superior in the standup department, in a fight that drove the Mineirinho Gymnasium to euphoria.
In the featherweight final, Rony Jason got the better of Godofredo Pepey in a less than thrilling fight.
Showing what the moment meant to him, Rony Jason was teary eyed as he made his entrance in his UFC debut, facing Godofredo Pepey. Despite being forbidden from wearing the mask, Jason took the decision.
Also in the main-card action, Fabrício Werdum didn’t need long to knock out Mike Russow in the opening round of their heavyweight tilt.
The Brazilian took the chance to challenge the divisional champion, Junior Cigano, who was in attendance.
Kicking off the main card, Hacran Dias made his UFC debut with a win over Yuri Alcantara.
Check out the complete results and comment: which moment from the show in Belo Horizonte made UFC history?
Fabricio Werdum took out Mike Russow in the first round at UFC 147.