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!

The Brazilian Gangster! @LivinhaMMA makes quick work in her Octagon debut! #UFCSP pic.twitter.com/kNjwNtX7gT

— UFC (@ufc) September 22, 2018

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!

FLYING KNEE!!!@ElizeuCapoeira lands an INSANE flying knee and puts Vendramini away in round 2! #UFCSP pic.twitter.com/3dXrUzDlpy

— UFC (@ufc) September 22, 2018

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

The post UFC Sao Paulo Fight Pass Preliminary Card Results and Recap appeared first on Cageside Press.

UFC 224 flew under the radar pretty much until fight week was upon us, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t some fights worthy of keeping an eye on. In the main event, of course, Amanda Nunes looked to secure her third title defense against Raquel Pennington. Despite the fight being criminally under-promoted, it had the opportunity to establish Nunes as one of the best women’s bantamweights ever, and get her halfway to Ronda Rousey’s title defense mark.

Also on the card, the legendary Vitor Belfort, himself a former light heavyweight champion and tournament winner, would call it a career. In his final fight, he was scheduled to face off against another formidable Brazilian, Lyoto Machida.

Before any of that could go down, however, the UFC Fight Pass Prelims were on deck. A four-pack of fights featuring names like Thales Leites, Warlley Alves, and Alberto Mina, they promised to bring the action — so would they deliver?

Markus Perez vs. James Bochnovic

At middleweight, James Bochnovic went right to the body with a kick off the opening bell of the night’s first fight, and immediately followed that up by looking for a takedown. However, it was Perez threatening to take the back. Unable to secure, the two worked back to their feet, which led to a grappling exchange along the fence. Perez got the better of that, finishing with a big takedown. He was then able to transition to half guard, and looked to slide in an arm-triangle choke, only to be denied. Perez was able to transition to the back, and after a couple of attempts that didn’t get under the chin, sunk in the rear-naked choke, earning the tap!

Markus Perez def. James Bochnovic by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:28

Alberto Mina vs. Ramazan Emeev

In what was a key welterweight fight for the undefeated 36-year old Alberto Mina, it was Ramazan Emeev connecting first with a big right hand. Mina would fire back a little later with a body kick, but Emeev would come over the top with another right hand in a counter. He then took the back, and threw Mina to his knees, keeping his arms locked and looking for some ground strikes. Mina made it back up, with Emeev looking for a kimura then taking things back to the canvas.

Mina would roll for a knee bar in the final minute of the round, but was forced to let it go. With things getting underway in the second, Mina scored with a leg kick, then went high with his next kick. Emeev, however, fell back on his grabbling, getting a seatbelt-like grip on his opponent, clasping his hands around his waist. Emeev was clearly looking to wear his opponent down, much to the displeasure of the crowd.

The third round was similarly uneventful, with Emeev wearing his opponent down. A tiring Mina allowed Ramazan Emeev to work his stand-up a little more, but for the most part, wall and stall was the name of the game, with the crowd again letting Emeev have it as the round wore on. In the end, they went to the scorecards, with Emeev earning the clear decision.

Ramazan Emeev def. Alberto Mina by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Thales Leites vs. Jack Hermansson

In middleweight action Jack Hermansson stayed extremely mobile early, moving in and out, working his jab. Leites finally snatched a leg, looking to slow the fight down and take it to the mat. However, Hermansson showed some solid takedown defense, fighting the Brazilian off. Neither fighter came close to finishing in the first, but the second was another story.

In the second, Thales Leites scored and early takedown that seemed to hurt Hermansson. Hermansson was grimacing, clearly in pain, and was unable to do much to fight back. Leites looked to sink in a submission, eventually sinking in an arm-triangle choke. Leites was able to step over his opponent, but Hermansson somehow fought off the submission even while unable to do much else.

Incredibly, Hermansson came out for the third round, but was quickly taken down, with Leites again looking for a submission finish. However, the most unlikely of comebacks then unfolded. Still crippled, Hermansson was in serious danger. But when Thales Leites looking to grab a guillotine, Hermansson was able to slip free and get into mount. That allowed him to begin unleashing some furious ground and pound, knowing it was his only shot. Soon enough, the ref waved off the fight. Afterwards, Hermansson said he’d broken his rib during the takedown, and was still grimacing during the post-fight interview.

Jack Hermansson def. Thales Leites by TKO, Round 3, 2:10

Warlley Alves vs. Sultan Aliev

Warlley Alves looked to impose his will early in the featured fight of the UFC 224 Fight Pass prelims. Against the fence, he was able to land knees and grind away at his opponent. When Aliev had space to work, he was able to get his hands going. However, towards the end of the first round, it was Alves connecting with a right hand that wobbled Aliev briefly. That seemed to put some pep in his step, as he came back slinging leather, looking to make something happen. Aliev would finish the round with a throw at the bell, and they would head to a second.

Round two saw Aliev and Alves working against the fence again, only this time, Aliev was able to get the better of the grappling exchanges early. However, Alves remained determined, and a short left connected under Aliev’s eye. That caused some considerable swelling under his right eye, which got worse and worse as the round progressed. With his eye swollen shut, the doctor called the fight off between rounds, giving Warlley Alves the TKO win!

Warlley Alves def. Sultan Aliev by TKO (doctor’s stoppage), Round 2, 5:00

Check back throughout the night for results and a full recap of the UFC 224 preliminary action!

UFC 224 Fight Pass Preliminary Results

Warlley Alves def. Sultan Aliev by TKO (doctor’s stoppage), Round 2, 5:00
Jack Hermansson def. Thales Leites by TKO, Round 3, 2:10
Ramazan Emeev def. Alberto Mina by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Markus Perez def. James Bochnovic by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:28

The post UFC 224: Nunes vs. Pennington Preliminary Results and Recap appeared first on Cageside Press.