UFC Sao Paulo Fight Pass Preliminary Card Results and Recap

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Thales Leites UFC
Thales Leites Credit: Gleidson Venga/Sherdog.com

UFC Sao Paulo marked the promotion’s final trip to Brazil in 2018, and offered up a solid preliminary card on UFC Fight Pass, including the final fight of Thales Leites.

The UFC returned to Sao Paulo on Saturday, holding UFC Fight Night 137, the promotion’s final Brazilian stop of 2018. With a main event that saw both fighters originally advertised drop out, the UFC Sao Paulo card had taken a few hits — but still promised some interesting match-ups. In the main event, Eryk Anders and Thiago Santos, a couple of middleweights both stepping up on short notice, threw down at light heavyweight. And while the bout was contested at 205lbs, with both fighters being notable 185’ers, there was no doubt the outcome would impact their futures moving forward.

Also on the UFC Sao Paulo card, Sam Alvey faced off with the legendary Little Nog, and Canada’s Randa Markos welcomed promotional newcomer Marina Rodriguez.

Before the five-fight main card, however, and the televised prelims, came a five-fight offering exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. The Fight Pass prelims were stopped by Serio Moraes meeting the gritty Ben Saunders in the featured fight of the early action. Yet a few other bouts were just as, if not more interesting: Gillian Robertson looked to become the first UFC flyweight to capture three wins in the weight class, while Thales Leites, a former title challenger at middleweight, had his retirement fight against former Bellator champion Hector Lombard. And ex-Invicta FC champ Livia Renata Souza took on Australia’s Alex Chambers.

Check back come fight time for full results and a recap of the action. The early prelims stream live exclusively on UFC Fight Pass! The fights kick off at 6:30 PM ET.

Livia Renata Souza vs. Alex Chambers

Strawweight action kicked off the UFC Sao Paulo card, and it didn’t take long for former Invicta FC champ Livia Renata Souza to come over the top with a right, and push forward with a flurry of strikes. Souza then took opponent Alex Chambers down, and worked her way into a mounted guillotine. It didn’t take long for the tap to come after that!

Livia Renata Souza def. Alex Chambers by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 1:21

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Luigi Vendramini

Newcomer Luigi Vendramini had to endure a tight Peruvian necktie style guillotine in the opening minute of his welterweight bout with Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. Vendramini survived, then climbed the back of his opponent and threatened with a rear-naked choke, pulling Zaleski dos Santos to the ground in the process. The Brazilian survived as well, making it back up only for Luigi to take the back again.

However, the end would not come via submission. Instead, dos Santos would turn the pressure on, backing Venramini up and attacking with a flying knee. While the knee wouldn’t completely finish the job it was the beginning of the end, and a few strikes later the Brazilian had the victory!

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Luigi Vendramini by knockout, Round 2, 1:20

Thales Leites vs. Hector Lombard

The retiring Thales Leites stayed on the outside early against Hector Lombard, who slowly stalked the Brazilian. Leites did damage first, with a right hand. Lombard, however, went to town on Leites lead leg with some punishing leg kicks. That forced Leites to change his approach and at times stances.

Round two saw the tables turn a little. This time it was Thales Leites pressing the action, backing Hector Lombard up, much to the delight of the Brazilian crowd. Lombard was on the defensive, but when they went to the ground, despite the danger Leites posed off his back, Lombard was able to control from guard then get back up. A high kick opened up a cut by the eye of Lombard, but he continued to attack the legs of Leites. Going to the third it was anyone’s fight, but Leites had taken control.

The third round saw the pace slowed a little, and the right eye of Lombard continued to be an issue. More grappling and clinching, not a lot of action in comparison to the first two rounds. In the final minute Thales Leites attacked with knees, and got the fight to the ground, controlling Lombard from the back as time ran out.

Thales Leites def. Hector Lombard by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Gillian Robertson

Gillian Robertson was boasting bright red hair for Canada as she took on UFC newcomer Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC Sao Paulo. The Canadian was looking to be the first to three wins in the UFC’s flyweight division. However, chasing the takedown, she took some damage on the feet early. A standing elbow was a particular threat for the Brazilian, who also added a spinning kick to the body as the round progressed. Robertson was on her bike, circling out of harm’s way. And when Robertson did finally secure a trip for a takedown, Silva nearly got on top. Robertson answered by attacking a leg, and eventually moved to guard.

That, however, allowed Silva to grab on to an arm while Robertson was in closed guard. She pulled back hard, and forced the tap, earning the win in her UFC debut!

Mayra Bueno Silva def. Gillian Robertson by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 4:55

Sérgio Moraes vs. Ben Saunders

Saunders and Moraes circled each other early in the featured prelim at UFC Sao Paulo, with neither men committing to throwing a punch. Instead, they found themselves in a clinch, then went to the ground with Moraes landing on top. Saunders employed a rubber guard, but Moraes slowly, methodically passed to mount. Saunders ground game kept him alive, even when Moraes tried a late-round arm-bar!

Round two saw the fight go to the ground early again. Once again, Moraes was on top; this time, Saunders was backed up against the fence. Saunders tried to bring his leg across the back of Moraes’ neck, but Moraes was able to move to half-guard nonetheless. He then moved to full mount, with over two minutes remaining in the round. Plenty of time to look for a finish. It would come when Moraes locked in an arm-triangle choke. Saunders fought it off as best he could, but simply couldn’t make it to the end of the round, tapping out for the first time in his career.

Sérgio Moraes def. Ben Saunders by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 2, 4:42

UFC Sao Paul Fight Pass Preliminary Card Results:

Sérgio Moraes def. Ben Saunders by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 2, 4:42
Mayra Bueno Silva def. Gillian Robertson by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 4:55
Thales Leites def. Hector Lombard by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Luigi Vendramini by knockout, Round 2, 1:20
Livia Renata Souza def. Alex Chambers by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 1:21

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