A historic night for the UFC and for Brazil. In spite of the balance at the end of UFC Goiânia, with most visitors winning their bouts, Vitor Belfort brought some redemption, knocking out the hitherto “unknockoutable” Dan Henderson in the main event.
Also that night we saw Cezar Mutante’s win over Daniel Sarafian via split decision, Rafael Feijão’s win over Igor Pokrajac via knee strikes, and Thiago Tavares’s and Adriano Martins’ submission wins on the undercard. Check out the biggest moments.
Belfort cracks Henderson’s steel chin
Surrounded by expectation, the duel between Vitor Belfort and Dan Henderson did not disappoint. Belfort returned to light heavyweight and got his revenge. Some were doubtful of Belfort’s performance at 93kg, but the answer came little more than one minute in.
The bell rang and the fighters studied each other. Vitor kept his arm stretched out to measure the distance. Henderson charged first with his deadly overhand punch. Vitor dodged and landed first, though. Hendo’s chin was being put to the test. He was stunned and Vitor attacked ferociously. But it wasn’t over.
Displaying another one of his qualities, Dan recovered from the ground punishment. He got up even after Belfort landed some more powerful punches. But then it was Vitor’s shin that came at his face, and landed squarely on it. Henderson’s chin was not invincible after all.
A historic win for Belfort in the UFC, and afterward Dana White said he is the next challenger to the belt. White even spoke of a rematch between Silva and Belfort taking place in a Brazilian soccer stadium.
Mutante beats Sarafian by decision
In the co-main event, Cezar Mutante and Daniel Sarafian finally had the TUF Brasil 1 final that never was. Daniel had been forced to pull out due to injury back then.
But in Goiânia he was in good shape and came charging and seeking a fight. Mutante contained his advances. Sarafian even attempted a guillotine, but the first round ended with no clear winner.
Mutante started the second round as the more effective fighter, though, connecting good strikes and taking his foe down twice. The third round was it. With Sarafian trying to strike standing, and Mutante always taking the fight to the ground, controlling the action and scoring points from there, the decision went to the judges. A split-decision win for Cezar Mutante.
Also noteworthy: Adriano Martins’ award-winning submission of Daron Cruickshank, starting with a kimura and ending in and armlock. Thiago Tavares’s RNC of Justin Salas. Jeremy Stephens’s quick KO of Rony Jason, breaking Jason’s streak in just 40 seconds.
Check out the results.
UFC Fight Night Combate: Belfort x Henderson
Goiânia Arena, Goiás
November 9, 2013
Vitor Belfort def. Dan Henderson at 1min17s of R1 (KO of the night)
Cezar Mutante def. Daniel Sarafian via split decision
Rafael Feijão def. Igor Pokrajac via TKO at 1min18s of R1
Brandon Thatch def. Paulo Thiago via TKO at 2min10s of R1
Ryan LaFlare def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via un. decision
Jeremy Stephens KO’d Rony Jason at 40s of R1
Undercard
Sam Sicilia def. Godofredo Pepey via TKO at 1min42s of R1
Omari Akhmedov KO’d Thiago Bodão at 3min31s of R1 (Fight of the night)
Thiago Tavares def. Justin Salas via RNC at 2min38s of R1
Adriano Martins def. Daron Cruickshank via armbar at 2min29s do R2 (Submission of the night)
Dustin Ortiz def. José Maria “Sem Chance” via TKO at 3min19s of R3
