The long-awaited/reviled 3rd season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil began tonight on UFC Fight Pass, featuring coaches Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva. The first episode (and the second) of TUF Brazil 3 will feature the two antagonists watching a cast of heavyweights and middleweights compete for a chance to enter the casa.
The show starts with Dana White hyping up the season before the Portuguese announcer goes into the details of the show. The announcer trades off with Dana as they go into the rivalry between Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva, including Silva’s orchestrated ambush of Sonnen last year. We then cut to the “Axe Murderer” discussing his plans to defeat and humiliate his American foe for insults to him and to Brazil. We turn next to Chael Sonnen, who gives his assessment of Silva, saying that while he can see that Wanderlei loves MMA, he should have left the sport a long time ago. Next, we learn that each team is getting a female assistant coach, with Team Sonnen getting basketball player Hortencia Marcari and Team Silva getting volleyballer Isabel Salgado. This is all topped off with a third reveal, that they will also be selecting a special ring girl over the course of the season.
After the break, we come back to the TUF Training Center, where Silva and Sonnen welcome the 32 preliminary fighters. Wanderlei tells them he hopes that a champion will emerge from their ranks, while Sonnen notes that it is a “good-looking group” before encouraging them to enjoy the day. Similar sentiments are echoed by Isabel Salgado of Team Silva, before Hortencia Marcari of Team Sonnen marches onto the scene and says that she and Chael are looking for those with a “winner take all” mentality.
Fight #1: Goncalo Salgado vs. Job Kleber (Heavyweight)
The first fighter we meet is Portugal-born Goncalo Salgado. Salgado came to Brazil to train, and was not only forced to leave his wife and child behind in order to do so, but also had to give up a job as bodyguard to soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and his family. He states his goal is to be the first Portuguese fighter in the UFC.
His opponent in this first heavyweight bout is Job Kleber, a police officer in the “Large Events Battalion” in Rio de Janeiro. He took up martial arts after becoming a cop in order to be able to rely on more than just his gun. He is there supported by his maestre, who is a father figure to him.
The first round begins with Kleber firing off a kick to the body, only to have Salgado catch it and take him down. The Rio cop eventually gets back to his feet and attempts a takedown of his own, but is stifled by the Portuguese fighter. Salgado is in control, landing hammerfists to the side of his Brazilian opponent’s head before the two separate. Job “BrasaCop” goes for another takedown, but his again stifled and is on the receiving end of more hammerfists, punches, and knees from the Liddel-hawked former bodyguard. They pair break off again, and Salgado starts to give chase to Kleber, only to be caught on the button with a pair of long hooks from “BrasaCop,” who followed it up with a questionable front snap kick to the face as the Portuguese fell to his knees, then face-first to the ground. A couple of hammerfists put the exclamation point on this before the ref stops the fight.
Post-fight, after a reaction shot that screams “What did I get myself into here?” from Hortencia Marcari, we get the coaches’ breakdown. Wanderlei notes that it appeared that Salgado had the advantage going into the fight, due to his size and aggression. Chael notes Kleber’s tenacity, and his ability to land the big shot first. Both coaches agree that it was a nice KO, though Team Silva assistant coach Isabel Salgado questions the legality of the kick. Hortencia of Team Sonnen feels that it was too quick to be an intended foul, and too quick to really be able to call. Afterwards, we see Corp. Job with his coaches, crying as they hype him up.
Job Kleber def. Goncalo Salgado via TKO (Strikes) at 1:10 of Round 1.
Fight #2: Paulo Costa “Borrachinha” vs. Jose Roberto Rocha “Negão” (Middleweight)
We start off meeting Paulo Costa “Borrachinha” (which roughly translates out to “Braces,” from what I can find), a self-proclaimed “aggressive fighter” who looks something like the spawn of Tito Ortiz and Lyoto Machida. His stepfather describes him as tenacious, but vain – a sentiment echoed by his brother. “Borrachinha” describes this as a good thing, saying his focus on appearance helps him stand out.
His opponent is the undefeated Jose Roberto Rocha “Negão” (Uh, I can’t tell you what that translates out to, it’s bad), a 5-0 fighter who finds motivation in honoring his father, who it appears has passed away recently. We see him getting urged on by friends and coworkers of his father as he talks about how he wishes his dad was by his side.
In an amusing aside, Wanderlei claims that Paulo “Borrachinha” looks even better than his picture as he walks out.
The first round of this middleweight bout starts with another kick caught and turned into a takedown, as Jose Roberto Rocha is planted on his back after Paulo Costa catches his front kick attempt. We only see clips of this fight, as “Borrachinha” dominated his foe from the outset. Team Silva assistant coach Isabel notes that it was violent, she felt like she was the one getting punched. The fight ended in the second round, with “Borrachinha” getting the submission victory with a guillotine choke.
After the fight, “Borrachinha” expresses his joy at winning his way into the house, and reiterates his desire to be a champion.
Paulo Costa “Barrachinha” def. Jose Roberto Rocha “Negão” via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in Round 2.
Fight #3: Ewerton Rocha “Gigante” vs. Jollyson Francisco (Middleweight)
Up first, we have Rio riot cop Ewerton Rocha “Gigante” – “Giant” in English, as you may have guessed. He talks about waking up in fear every day, and how he has learned that it is fear that keeps him alive. He believes his psyche is stronger than any of the other contestants, a statement backed up by a fellow police officer, who says that Rocha is “always ready.” “Gigante” compares putting on his gloves and shorts to putting on his uniform and “gear for war,” and says that he sees his opposition as enemies to be eliminated.
Next is Recife, Pernambuco native Jollyson Francisco, a former salesman. Francisco had entered into that line of work following in the footsteps of his father, but decided that fighting was more his speed. We see Francisco’s father and brother meeting him at the hotel and encouraging him, saying that Jollyson “represents our job.”
Round 1 begins with Jollyson entering with a jab, and being met with a low kick from Rocha. “Gigante” follows that up with a high kick – which is blocked – and a spinning wheel kick – which is avoided entirely. There is a short feeling out process before Jollyson Francisco rushes into clinch range with a couple of punches, then pulling back to draw Ewerton Rocha in for a successful takedown. Francisco immediately takes side control, and struggles to keep “Gigante” down as he tries to twist out into north-south and roll up to his feet. The son of a salesman manages to keep the riot cop down, but not without getting forced into “Gigante’s” half-guard against the cage. Francisco with good pressure, posturing up to land some punches before dropping back down to keep position, gaining head and arm control as he goes. Rocha’s half-guard is open, and ripe for passing, but the pair are still up against the cage. Jollyson continuing to land some solid ground’n’pound, as advances enough to pin “Gigante’s” arm underneath his leg. With 2 minutes down in the round, Francisco passes to mount and secure an arm-triangle choke. The riot cop from Rio tries to defend, but as Jollyson Francisco tightens the choke and moves to knee-on-belly, he can’t help but tap out.
Post-fight, Chael calls this “a pretty straight-forward grappling match.” Wanderlei, though, was a little surprised at the outcome as he had expected the larger “Gigante” to at least put up more of a fight. He compliment’s Francisco’s fight IQ for taking it to the ground, claiming that the unassuming former salesman would have had nothing but trouble on the feet.
Jollyson Francisco def. Ewerton Rocha “Gigante” via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) at 2:26 of Round 1.
Fight #4: Douglas Moura vs. Joilton Santos “Peregrino” (Middleweight)
We first meet Douglas Moura as he greets his wife, MMA fighter and former boxing champion Duda Yankovich, at the door of his hotel room. He talks about training together, saying they are a team in the gym and at home. Yankovich says they’ve been preparing for this opportunity for some time, and that her husband is ready. Going back to Moura, he states that he doesn’t see his opponents as enemies, merely as obstacles to be overcome.
Joilton Santos “Peregrino” (That’s “Pilgrim” in English) says he has endured a lot to reach his goal of getting to The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. He claims he did not travel a great distance to lose, and believes himself to be capable of beating everyone there.
Round 1 begins with Douglas Moura bullrushing in for a takedown on Joilton “Peregrino,” eventually forcing the fight up against the cage. We cut to Wanderlei Silva, who called the fight a “display of technique,” and said that both fighters were physically and technically similar. The clips show an evenly matched fight before “Peregrino” catches Moura on the chin, knocking the married fighter down into the Butt Scoot position. We then cut to Chael Sonnen, who complimented Joilton Santos’ ability to push the pace of the fight. We see both men exchanging takedowns as Wanderlei describes the action, then shots of each man in top control. After two rounds, the coaches agree that an extra 3rd round is needed to determine a victor. During the third round, Isabella Salgado of Team Silva was having trouble determining who was winning due to the swings in momentum. In the end, the younger fighter, Joilton Santos “Peregrino” would take the split decision victory and move on to the house.
After the fight, Santos says that he is both “extraodinary” and “a champ.” He then promises “this” – a decision – will not happen again as he continues to win fights.
Joilton Santos “Peregrino” def. Douglar Moura via Split Decision
Fight #5: Felipe Dantas “Monstro” vs. Egard Castaldelli “Magrão” (Heavyweight)
Natal resident Felipe Dantas “Monstro” – who bears a passing resemblance to fellow Natal-ite Gabriel Gonzaga in terms of build and head-shape – quit his job of 10 years to attend the TUF: Brazil 3 tryouts. “Monstro” (“Monster” in English), who seems to have a rosary with him at all times, says that all he has now is his faith in God and the urge to fight. He also states that people from northeastern Brazil all have “the urge and the heart to fight.” He believes that path that God has put him on his allowed him to get to these tryouts, and he also believes that he’ll win.
His opponent for today, São Paulo’s Edgard Castaldelli “Magrão” (That’s “Skinny” for us English speakers) believes that his attitude is what separates him from other fighters, saying, “Cordiality is related to education.” “Magrão” talks about how he and his wife are expecting their first child, a son, and how he won’t be able to be there for the end of the pregnancy if he makes the show, but that he is there for the greater good of his family. He says that he doesn’t get anxious in the ring, and that a cold opponent is a dangerous one.
The fight starts with each man testing range, before Edgard Castaldelli “Magrão” catches a kick from Felipe Dantas “Monstro” and takes him to the canvas. We cut to Chael, who notes the obvious size and power differentials between Castaldelli and Dantas. Wanderlei called the fight “interesting,” and discussed “Magrão” using his superior jiu jitsu skills to stay on top of “Monstro.” Silva then talks about how the fight got back to the feet, and Dantas attempted to use his boxing skills to turn the fight in his favor. Back to Sonnen, who notes that Castaldelli’s head movement was superior, and allowed him to escape a lot of damge in the first round.
In the second round, “Magrão” took the fight back to the ground. There, he would bloody “Monstro” and land a shot that Team Sonnen’s Hortencia Marcari said scared her. The referee would eventually stop the fight, much to the relief of Team Silva’s Isabel Salgado.
Post-fight, Castaldelli promises to bring pride to the people that support and believe in him while in the house.
Edgard Castaldelli “Magrão” def. Felipe Dantas “Monstro” via TKO (strikes) in Round 2.
Fight #6: Cristiano Pontes “Ferrugem” vs. Wagner Silva “Wagnão” (Middleweight)
Muay Thai, Capoeira, and BJJ practitioner Cristiano Pontes “Ferrugem” says he never competed in any of his individual disciplines, simply because he just likes to fight. “A committed young man,” according to his coach Caio Santos, “Ferrugem” (Which is Portuguese for “Rust”) says that he loves to brawl. He also believes that God prefers him, as he is “pure” – a stance that might not endear him to potential coach Chael Sonnen, who believes that God does not care about the outcome of a fight.
Wagner Silva “Wagnão” was married once, but have that up due to the conflict it created with his desire to be a fighter. Possessing a competetive mindset, “Wagnão” (Or “Wagner.” I know…) says that MMA was never just a passtime. He says that getting into the TUF:Brazil house would be a huge change for his career, and that he will go for the win no matter who is opponent is.
Round 1 begins with a touch of gloves, and a moment of tentativeness from both fighters before Wagner Silva opens up with a jab on Cristiano Pontes “Ferrugem.” Both men taking time to feel the other out with jabs, leg kicks, and faked shots. “Ferrugem” seems to have trouble remembering to keep his hands up as he fires off high kicks and front kicks without a set-up. “Wagnão” shoots in for a takedown, but Pontes is able to stuff it before being pressed up against the cage. Silva is able to score a single leg takedown off the cage at the 1:13 mark, landing in Cristiano’s half-guard. Wagner Silva landing ground and pound as “Ferrugem” tries to muscle his way back up to his feet, only to have “Wagnão” pass guard and take mount. The divorce’ continues to land ground’n’pound, forcing Pontes to give up his back and eventually gets the cocky “Ferrugem” to tap to a rear naked choke.
Post-fight, we see “Ferrugem” crying in the corner of the Octagon before we cut to Coach Chael, saying he thought it was a close fight at the start. Coach Wanderlei praises “Wagnão’s” preparedness, giving kudos for the single leg takedown that began the downward spiral for Pontes. Chael continued, saying that Wagner Silva certainly has positions where he’s very good, but that he has “a lot of rough surfaces to be sanded down.”
Wagner Silva “Wagnão” def. Cristiano Pontes “Ferrugem” via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:06 of Round 1.
Fight #7: Willian Steindorf vs. Ricardo Abreu “Demente” (Middleweight)
First up, we have Willian Steindorf – Whose last name is proof that Brazil is truly the melting pot of South America – a young man who says that getting into the UFC and winning a belt in 2-3 years is his dream. The purple-mohawked Steindorf admits to not only loving to fight, but having a kind of latent masochism in that he sometimes enjoys being punched. He also claims that “no one will defeat me unless they kill me.” As he walks to the cage, Hortencia remarks that she likes his attitude.
Ricardo Abreu “Demente” – Yes, “Demented” in English – starts off saying that he got the nickname when he first started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as he was hyper and did not show older practitioners the proper respect. The Nova Uniao product was a silver medallist at the 2010 World Jiu Jitsu Championships, losing to Roger Gracie in the Super Heavyweight finals. The decorated grappler says he will fight to win, and that he will not be easy to defeat. He finishes by stating that “Victory is a sensation that can not be bought with money.”
The fight starts with Ricardo Abreu “Demente” wading in with wild hooks before trying to drag Willian Steindorf to the mat. Isabel Salgada says that this was a very violent bout, with both fighters giving it their all. Chael Sonnen chimes in to let us know that “Demente” was the middleweight getting the most buzz going into the show because he trains with Wanderlei Silva outside of the competition. We move to Wandy talking up his pupil as we see clips of Abreu taking the fight to the ground eventually catching an armbar that gave me flashbacks to the first Ronda Rousey-Meisha Tate fight. After his elbow had dislocated, Steindorf managed to escape, but was eventually caught in turtle position by “Demente,” who peppered him with punches until the end of the round.
Between rounds, Steindorf had trouble getting to his feet and to his corner. His condition was worrisome enough that Chael Sonnen left the dais to check on him and make sure he could continue. Like all warriors, Willian Steindorf insisted he was able to fight a second round. However, the second round would simply be more domination on the part of Ricardo Abreu, who beat him up on the feet before taking the fight back to the mat and finishing the purple-haired fighter with ground’n’pound. This – of course – to the joy of his coach back home, Wanderlei Silva.
Post-fight, Chael Sonnen says quite plainly that he believes “Demente” is a major threat, and has what it takes to win the middleweight portion of this season. Abreu, for his part, promises to be more violent and explosive in his fights in the house.
Ricardo Abreu “Demente” def. Willian Steindof via TKO (Strikes) in Round 2.
Fight #8: Guilherme Viana vs. Antonio Carlos Jr. “Cara de Sapato” (Heavyweight)
Guilherme Viana says that he was born fighting, because for 13 days after his birth, the doctors thought he wouldn’t survive. He states that fighting is his life, and he wants to help his family by doing it. He also fights for his daughter – who he is prevented from seeing by her mother – so that he can provide a good life for her.
His opponent, Antonio Carlos Jr. “Cara de Sapato” – “Shoe Face” in English – got his unique nickname in jiu jitsu. While training under Ricardo Vieira – who apparently has a large chin – Carlos was told that his chin was even bigger than his BJJ professor’s, and that his face resembled a shoe. Appearing on The Ultimate Fighter is a step towards his goal, which is to enter the UFC and “conquer his dreams.”
Antonio Carlos Jr. comes out swinging to start Round 1, but Guilherme Viana uses good head movement and footwork to avoid the blows. He then catches “Cara de Sapato” with a solid 1-2 combination as he comes in. Viana does well with counter-punching as Carlos moves in aggressively, then stuffs a takedown from the Ricardo Vieira-trained fighter. Carlos is able to eventually move the fight against the cage and go for the legs, scoring a takedown as Guilherme attempts a kimura. “Cara de Sapato” ends up in Viana’s half-guard and fights off another kimura before starting to land some punches. Viana manages to get to his feet after Carlos postures up to throw some punches, but gets dragged right back down to the mat and gives up his back. He manages to escape to his feet again, but “Cara de Sapato” is right there, firing off hooks that rock Viana as he tries to escape, causing the referee to stop the bout with both men standing in a manner reminiscent of Maynard-Diaz III.
Like others before it, Wanderlei Silva finds this fight to be interesting. He credits Carlos’ use of his superior jiu jitsu skills for that. Chael Sonnen made sure to mention “Care de Sapato’s” speed and power, as well as his attitude. Wanderlei then mentioned that the fight was stopped at the right time. Isabel found watching Viana’s family as they took in the fight to be difficult, as she could see the pain in his mother’s face as the end began to come. Hortencia says that, “It always hurts to see a dream shattered, but there can only be one winner.”
After the fight, we see Carlos exit the cage and share a tender moment with his significant other. He says that the fight was hard, and got harder when it went to the ground. “Thank God a punch landed, and I did it!” he exclaims.
Antonio Carlos Jr. “Cara de Sapato” def. Guilherme Viana via TKO (Punches) at 2:32 of Round 1
So now, 8 fighters are moving on to the TUF House, and 8 more still have to earn their place in the second episode. I enjoyed the pacing of the show so far, but question the inclusion of the non-fighter coaches. This could very well be an attempted ratings grab, as the previous TUF: Brazil season did quite poorly. I’m not sure how much of the talent will be retained, but I could see some of these guys being kept around for Fight Pass prelims. Stay tuned for next week, when I review episode 2.
