[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxM97qLGiMI&w=560&h=315]
Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC 258 live on
your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the
ESPN app. Brazilian MMA fighters have captured belts in all Ultimate Fighting Championship men’s weight
divisions except for welterweight, and one more will try to claim
it this weekend. In 27 years of UFC history, Brazilian fans have only seen four
fellow countrymen vie for the 170-pound title, and none have been
successful to claim it. Jorge Patino
was the first to try at UFC 18 in 1999, but he was defeated by
Pat
Miletich. Seven months later, Andre
Pederneiras attempted to claim the welterweight throne from
Miletich at UFC 21, but he too was rebuffed. A decade later,
Thiago
Alves pursued the crown from Georges St.
Pierre, but his quest for gold was denied atop UFC 100.
Finally, Demian Maia
faced Tyron
Woodley and lost a one-sided decision at UFC 214 in 2017. This
series does not include Rafael dos
Anjos, who unsuccessfully fought for an interim strap against
Colby
Covington at UFC 225 in 2018.
The fifth undisputed welterweight title challenge from a Brazilian
will take place on Feb. 13 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas atop
UFC
258. Gilbert
Burns will raise the hopes of Brazilians once again when he
steps in the Octagon against champion Kamaru
Usman in a long-awaited fight between former teammates. Even
with statistics and odds favoring Usman, Brazilians are fairly
optimistic.
Sherdog spoke with five Brazilian greats to garner their opinions
on this key matchup, with three of those five having already faced
Usman and all come up short. In addition to the aforementioned
Maia, ex-heavyweight king Fabricio
Werdum, one-time interim heavyweight champ Antonio
Rodrigo Nogueira, former lightweight titleholder dos Anjos and
current welterweight contender Warlley
Alves all weighed in on the highly anticipated championship
affair.
“I already fought both and see great qualities in them. I see the
current champion as [the] favorite, but definitely ‘Durinho’
proved, after [he] beat me and Woodley, that he improved a lot and
is hungry to have this belt. There is a curious component in that
fight that they trained together for a long time. We don’t know how
sparring [went], but for sure they know very well each other’s weak
points, and that’s an important role in that fight.”
“I know Burns since TUF Brazil 1, when he was trainer of [Vitor
Belfort]’s team and I was trainer of [Wanderlei
Silva]’s team. Curiously, I really didn’t like these guys back
then. I [thought] he was cocky and even nicknamed [him] “Old Lady
Face” during the reality [show]. But as time passed and I was able
to [get to] know him better, we started to [become] real close. If
in the past I didn’t believe he could go too long, today I consider
him one of the most well-rounded fighters in UFC. It’s really
amazing the way this guy evolved, and I truly believe Burns will
submit Usman on Saturday.”
“Burns reinvented himself in [the] welterweight division. [Sanford
MMA head coach] Henri Hooft played an important role on that
game changing, [by] adding great kickboxing tools. Burns also
returned to jiu-jitsu competition, and also improved his ground
[skills], connecting perfectly [his] striking and grappling in a
way that a top striker like Tyron
Woodley never felt comfortable with him. The same happened to
Demian
Maia, who is one of the best grapplers in MMA history. In that
title fight, I see Usman having advantage on wrestling and physical
aspects, while Burns is better on striking and also on the ground.
The one who can keep the fight [in] his comfort zone will leave the
Octagon with the UFC welterweight belt.”
“Me and Burns, we are school friends. I know his mindset, when this
guy wants something, he gives his guts to get it and I truly
believe that it will make the difference in that fight. [Usman]
trained hard, reached the top and gained good money for achieving
his goal. Now I see ‘Durinho’ more hungry [sic] and I truly believe
he will win.”
“That fight can be decided either in a fast knockout from Burns,
who has really heavy hands, or in a long tough five-round fight
lead by [Usman]. And that’s what I believe it will happen. When I
fought [Usman], what impressed me the most about him is the way he
keeps his power from the beginning till the end. He is not a really
strong guy like Ronaldo
Souza, for example, but what [is most impressive] about him is
his athleticism, no matter if grappling in the cage or throwing a
great volume of punches. I believe Usman will play [a] ‘GSP’ style
and win that fight.”
Of the five Brazilians that spoke about the UFC 258 headliner, two
stated Burns would win, one expected Usman will get his hand
raised, and the other two said it depends on where the fight ends
up taking place. All these questions should be answered on Feb.
13.
