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The UFC returns to Brazil for the first time in 2014 with a card being headlined by a bout with middleweight title implications. The preliminary card bouts that are airing on UFC Fight Pass are plentiful as well, with seven total fights airing on the network. Of those seven fights, there are some TUF alumni in action as well as a lot of top prospects coming out of Brazil.
Kicking off the action is a featherweight division attraction as Douglas “D’ Silva†De Andrade (22-0-0-1NC) competes against Zubair Tuhugov (15-3-0). De Andrade will be making his UFC debut in this fight and he is a longtime veteran of the Jungle Fight promotion. Tuhugov will also be making his UFC debut in this fight and he will do so while riding a six fight winning streak. These are two impressive fighters who are making their promotional debuts, but it will be De Andrade remaining undefeated in the end.
A pair of welterweights will clash next as Ildemar “Marajo†Alcantara (19-6-0) is in action against Albert Tumenov (12-1-0). Alcantara has won two of three under the UFC banner, with a notable win coming over Wagner Prado at UFC On FX VII. Tumenov will be making his UFC debut while on an eight fight winning streak and he has not lost a fight in well over a year. Alcantara is one of the better prospects coming out of Brazil and he will show why when he ends Tumenov’s winning streak.
More featherweight action will be happening next as Felipe “Sertanejo†Arantes (15-6-1-2NC) does battle against Maximo “Maxi†Blanco (9-5-1-1NC). Arantes has won two of five under the UFC banner and he is coming off of a loss to Edimilson Souza at UFC Fight Night 28. Blanco has won just one of his last four fights, with that lone victory coming over Sam Sicilia at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. This is a must win situation for both of these competitors, but it will be Arantes coming out on top to save his job.
Bantamweights will be stepping into the cage next as Yuri “Marajo†Alcantara (28-5-0-1NC) stands across the cage from Wilson Reis (17-4-0). Alcantara is coming off of the biggest fight of his career, which was a loss to Urijah Faber at UFC Fight Night 26. Reis is currently undefeated in UFC competition, having defeated Ivan Menjivar by unanimous decision at UFC 165. Alcantara has not been doing too well in his UFC run and that will continue as Reis outwrestles him to win his second UFC bout.
We move to the lightweight division for the next bout as Jesse “The Body Snatcher†Ronson (13-3-0) battles Francisco "Massaranduba" Trinaldo (13-3-0). Ronson is currently winless under the UFC banner, having dropped a fight to Michel Prazeres at UFC 165. Trinaldo has won two of his last three in UFC competition, most notably defeating Mike Rio at UFC On FX VIII. Trinaldo has been looking good in his UFC run and he will handily defeat Ronson to keep climbing up the ladder.
Up next is a featherweight division affair as Rodrigo Damm (11-6-0) takes on Ivan “Batman†Jorge (25-3-0). Damm has won two of three fights under the UFC banner, last defeating Mizuto Hirota at UFC On Fuel TV X. Jorge is currently undefeated under the UFC banner, having defeated Keith Wisniewski at UFC Fight Night 28. Jorge may not be as well known to stateside fans as his opponent, but that will change when he defeats a name opponent in Damm.
Headlining this portion of the card is a lightweight division bout as Cristiano Marcello (13-5-0) faces Joe Proctor (8-2-0). Marcello has won one of three fights under the UFC banner, with that lone victory coming over Reza Madadi at UFC 153. Proctor will be looking to rebound from his first UFC defeat, which came to Ramsey Nijem at UFC On Fox V. Proctor has been inactive since that UFC On Fox V appearance, which is going to hurt him as Marcello picks up a much needed victory.
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