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The UFC returns to Brazil with an action packed card that can be considered the official UFC Ultimate Fighter 2: Brazil Finale. Besides the reality show finals, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Fabricio Werdum battle for a potential title shot. Also, a former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion and a UFC Ultimate Fighter: Brazil I champion competes.
Kicking off the action is a lightweight division fight as Rony “Jason†Bezerra (12-3-0) competes against Mike “The Warrior†Wilkinson (8-0-0). Bezerra is currently undefeated in UFC competition, having defeated Godofredo Castro and Sam Sicilia. Wilkinson is also undefeated in UFC competition, having defeated Brendan Loughnane at UFC On FX VI. These are two top up and coming lightweight division competitors, but it will be Bezerra keeping his undefeated UFC run going.
A pair of welterweights will be competing next as “The Kansas City Bandit†Jason High (16-3-0) is in action against Erick “Indio†Silva (14-3-0-1NC). High returns to the UFC after a three-plus year absence, with his last fight being a loss to Charlie Brenneman at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 21. Silva has rotated wins and losses throughout his UFC career, with his last fight being a loss to Jon Fitch at UFC 153. Silva has been very inconsistent in his UFC run and it will continue to be inconsistent as High makes a successful UFC return.
Middleweights will be stepping into the octagon next as Eddie Mendez (7-1-1-1NC) does battle with Daniel Sarafian (7-3-0). Mendez will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he does so on the strength of a two fight winning streak. Sarafian is currently winless in UFC competition, having dropped a fight to CB Dollaway at UFC On FX VII. Why this fight is part of the main card is beyond my comprehension, but it will be Sarafian getting his first UFC victory in this one.
We go to the light heavyweight division for our next fight as Rafael “Feijao†Cavalcante (11-3-0-1NC) battles Thiago Silva (14-3-0-2NC). Cavalcante will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he is a former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. Silva has not achieved a victory in nearly four years, with his last win coming over Keith Jardine in August 2009. Cavalcante looked like a beast during the majority of his Strikeforce run and he will look dominant in his UFC debut.
Up next is the UFC Ultimate Fighter: Brazil II Welterweight Finals as William Macario (6-0-0) faces Leonardo Santos (11-3-0). Macario is currently undefeated as a professional MMA fighter and five of his six wins have come in the opening round. Santos will enter the fight riding a five fight winning streak and he made his professional MMA debut years back against Takanori Gomi. This is a major opportunity for both fighters to advance their careers, but it will be Santos earning the contract.
Headlining this card is a heavyweight division fight as Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro†Nogueira (34-7-1-1NC) takes on Fabricio “Vai Cavalo†Werdum (16-5-1). Nogueira has rotated wins and losses in his last seven UFC fights, with his last fight being a victory over Dave Herman at UFC 153. Werdum is currently undefeated in his second UFC run, with victories over Roy Nelson and Mike Russow. The winner of this fight could be in line for a heavyweight title fight and it will be Werdum getting that title fight.
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