Tag: Gian Villante

Five Biggest Takeaways From UFC Fight Night 106

While it may not have inspired the hype of a UFC pay-per-view (PPV) event (which have been failing majorly lately), last night’s (Sat., March 11, 2017) UFC Fight Night 106 from the Olympic Training Center in Fortaleza, Brazil, delivered one of – if not the – best top-to-bottom mixed martial arts (MMA) events of the

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While it may not have inspired the hype of a UFC pay-per-view (PPV) event (which have been failing majorly lately), last night’s (Sat., March 11, 2017) UFC Fight Night 106 from the Olympic Training Center in Fortaleza, Brazil, delivered one of – if not the – best top-to-bottom mixed martial arts (MMA) events of the year thus far.

The card featured a changing of the guard when a young, up-and-coming contender beat an aging legend, another legend showing he can still compete with the best, and the far and away best knockout of the year, among other highlights.

Overall the card delivered an action-packed night of bouts where several fighters made extremely strong cases for their prospects going forward. Let’s take a look back at the five biggest takeaways from the entertaining event.

Photo by Jason da Silva for USA TODAY Sports

5.) Alex Oliveira has a permanent home at 170 pounds:

Energetic Brazilian Oliveira had some questions to answer after his first bout against Tim Means was declared a no contest due to illegal knees, and he accomplished that goal in impressive fashion by finishing ‘The Dirty Bird’ with a flawless gameplan in his home country. ‘Cowboy’ was aggressive with effective wrestling from the opening bell, and it opened a path for Oliveira to use his slick submission skills to win the bout with a fight-ending rear-naked choke in the second round.

Like his American ‘Cowboy’ counterpart (whom he lost an exciting bout to last year), Oliveira has benefitted from fighting up a weight class after depleting his body to make the lightweight limit of 156 pounds. That’s a good thing, because he missed weight before his last lightweight bout and has a short leash in that regard. As of now, it appears to be a blessing in disguise, with Oliveira looking strong and dangerous at 170 as he improves with each passing contest. It’s going to be exciting to watch the ultra-active brawler attempt to rise up the ladder in arguably the toughest division in all of the UFC.

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Shogun Rua vs. Gian Villante Full Fight Video Highlights

In our co-main event of last night’s (Sat. March 11, 2017) UFC Fight Night 106 event from Fortaleza, Brazil, former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio Rua took on No. 12-ranked Gian Villante. Rua came into the bout on a two-fight win streak over names such as Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and The Ultimate Fighter 19 (TUF

The post Shogun Rua vs. Gian Villante Full Fight Video Highlights appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

In our co-main event of last night’s (Sat. March 11, 2017) UFC Fight Night 106 event from Fortaleza, Brazil, former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio Rua took on No. 12-ranked Gian Villante.

Rua came into the bout on a two-fight win streak over names such as Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and The Ultimate Fighter 19 (TUF 19) winner Cory Anderson. Villante was looking to muster up a winning streak of his own coming off of a win over Saparbek Safarov in December.

In the first round the two exchanged some heavy shots, giving the Brazilian crowd quite the treat in the opening five minutes. Both men found themselves in trouble at various times but Villante seemed to edge out the future Hall Of Famer when the horn sounded.

The second round saw Rua turn it up even more and continue to exchange a great deal of strikes with Villante. In the third round, however, Shogun landed a vicious combination that sent Villante crumbling and earned him his third straight win at this point in his mixed martial arts (MMA) career.

You can check out the full fight video highlights here:

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Twitter Reacts To Knockout-Filled UFC Fight Night 106

UFC Fight Night 106 went down tonight (Saturday, March 11, 2017) from the Centro de Formação Olímpica do Nordeste in Fortaleza, Brazil. The headliner saw hometown hero and MMA legend Vitor Belfort throw hands with new middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum. Unfortunately for the hometown crowd, it didn’t end well for “The Phenom”. Belfort was good for

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UFC Fight Night 106 went down tonight (Saturday, March 11, 2017) from the Centro de Formação Olímpica do Nordeste in Fortaleza, Brazil. The headliner saw hometown hero and MMA legend Vitor Belfort throw hands with new middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum. Unfortunately for the hometown crowd, it didn’t end well for “The Phenom”.

Belfort was good for his early trademark blitz. He cracked Gastelum with hard left hands, but the former welterweight was undeterred. He dropped Belfort with a straight left and pounced for the finish, but the Brazilian would survive and regain his feet. Gastelum wrapped it up soon after, though. He punctuated a combination with another cross, and this time, Belfort would not recover. The win might be the most significant of the former TUF winner’s career.

The co-main event featured another Brazilian MMA icon, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, fighting for his third straight win against New York-based slugger Gian Villante. Rua would fare better than his Brazilian compatriot.

Shogun continually found a home for his overhand right, scoring throughout the abbreviated contest. But the bout was not without adversity. Villante stunned Rua on multiple occasions but failed to capitalize. Villante’s chin held up well under the constant barrage of right hands he absorbed, but a straight in round two snapped his head around and buckled his legs. Shogun followed up masterfully, polishing off his American foe with a head kick and a final volley of powerful hooks and uppercuts. With the win, Rua could find himself an unlikely member of the light heavyweight top five (he was #6 coming in).

See how MMA Twitter reacted to these electrifying bouts below:

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UFC Fight Night 106 – more predictions

The Brazilian crowds are going to expect more than a few tough bouts at UFC Fight Night 106 in Fortaleza. Apart from the main event featuring welterweight import Kelvin Gastelum and fomer UFC champion Vitor Belfort the light heavyweight bout between Gian Villante and Mauricio Rua and another in the lightweight in which Beneil Dariush […]

The Brazilian crowds are going to expect more than a few tough bouts at UFC Fight Night 106 in Fortaleza. Apart from the main event featuring welterweight import Kelvin Gastelum and fomer UFC champion Vitor Belfort the light heavyweight bout between Gian Villante and Mauricio Rua and another in the lightweight in which Beneil Dariush is pitted against Edson Barboza.

Gian Villante (15-7) vs. Mauricio Rua (24-10)

Rua enters the ring after back to back wins against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Corey Anderson. Rua made a great start to his career in combat sports but is now kind of had his enthusiasm mellowed down. His opponent, Villante too isn’t too much of a threat since he failed to gain any momentum and hasn’t been able to hit the top 10. Talent and skill isn’t his style. He has won most of his bouts through sheer toughness and courage. However, a seasoned fighter like Rua does have the upper hand in what could be a technical knockout.

Beneil Dariush (14-2) vs. Edson Barboza (18-4)

Fans of UFC must have noticed how Edson Barboza  gets so close yet so far from title contention especially in fights against Donald Cerrone and Tony Ferguson. Dariush should be a tough opponent since he is sure to bring out his grappling skills like he did against James Vick. Barboza is likely to do what he does best and that is keep circling and get in a few stunning leg kicks. If Dariush is mentally prepared for the initial onslaught from the Brazilian then he could make it a close fight. Nevertheless, we expect a unanimous decision in favor of Barboza.

UFC Fight Night 106 – more predictions

The Brazilian crowds are going to expect more than a few tough bouts at UFC Fight Night 106 in Fortaleza. Apart from the main event featuring welterweight import Kelvin Gastelum and fomer UFC champion Vitor Belfort the light heavyweight bout between Gian Villante and Mauricio Rua and another in the lightweight in which Beneil Dariush […]

The Brazilian crowds are going to expect more than a few tough bouts at UFC Fight Night 106 in Fortaleza. Apart from the main event featuring welterweight import Kelvin Gastelum and fomer UFC champion Vitor Belfort the light heavyweight bout between Gian Villante and Mauricio Rua and another in the lightweight in which Beneil Dariush is pitted against Edson Barboza.

Gian Villante (15-7) vs. Mauricio Rua (24-10)

Rua enters the ring after back to back wins against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Corey Anderson. Rua made a great start to his career in combat sports but is now kind of had his enthusiasm mellowed down. His opponent, Villante too isn’t too much of a threat since he failed to gain any momentum and hasn’t been able to hit the top 10. Talent and skill isn’t his style. He has won most of his bouts through sheer toughness and courage. However, a seasoned fighter like Rua does have the upper hand in what could be a technical knockout.

Beneil Dariush (14-2) vs. Edson Barboza (18-4)

Fans of UFC must have noticed how Edson Barboza  gets so close yet so far from title contention especially in fights against Donald Cerrone and Tony Ferguson. Dariush should be a tough opponent since he is sure to bring out his grappling skills like he did against James Vick. Barboza is likely to do what he does best and that is keep circling and get in a few stunning leg kicks. If Dariush is mentally prepared for the initial onslaught from the Brazilian then he could make it a close fight. Nevertheless, we expect a unanimous decision in favor of Barboza.

Gian Villante: ‘I Kind of Like Getting Hit a Little Too Much’

No one can accuse Gian Villante of not showing up to fight every time he steps inside the Octagon. On March 11, Villante will go one-on-one with former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight title holder Mauricio Rua. The two will share the Octagon inside the Centro de Formacao Olimpica do Nordeste in Fortaleza, Brazil for […]

No one can accuse Gian Villante of not showing up to fight every time he steps inside the Octagon. On March 11, Villante will go one-on-one with former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight title holder Mauricio Rua. The two will share the Octagon inside the Centro de Formacao Olimpica do Nordeste in Fortaleza, Brazil for […]