Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is right back at it again as the world’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion returns to Sao Paulo, Brazil, with UFC Fight Night 137, which is spearheaded by a Light Heavyweight showdown between Thiago Santos and Eryk Anders.
What’s Hot:
The main event has changed so much over the last few months, it’s made it hard for UFC to promote the upcoming event, though it’s not like the public relations team was out in full force for this one, anyway.
Nevertheless, the headlining act is now set, as Eryk Anders will move up to 205 pounds to face off against Thiago Santos. Anders is coming off a third round head kick knockout over Tim Williams just a few weeks ago, so he does have a fight camp under him after taking the fight late notice. By doing the promotion a solid, Anders was rewarded with a new contract.
When opportunity knocks, you open the door.
Now, Eryk will look to make the most of his headlining gig as he faces Santos, the hard-hitting Brazilian who has won five of his last six bouts, including his most recent win against Kevin Holland. It’s not the most exciting headlining bout, but UFC did the best it could putting on a fight to spearhead its FOX Sports 1 as best it could. For Thiago, who — believe it or not — has been competing for UFC since 2013, it’s his chance to pick up a huge win against an up-and-comer who UFC really seems to be fond of.
Original Card vs Actual card:
The event was originally set to be headlined by Glover Teixeira and Jimi Manuwa, but Glover was forced out due to injury. After Thiago Santos was pegged as a replacement fight for Manuwa, “Posterboy” was forced to withdraw a few weeks later citing a torn hamstring. As a result, the revamped headlining bout will now be Santos taking on Eryk Anders.
Neil Magny was set to take on Alex Oliveira at this event, but UFC opted to yank Neil from the fight to have him headline UFC Fight Night 140 against Santiago Ponzinibbio in November. As a result, Alex will now face Carlo Pedersoli.
Injuries:
Aside from Glover and Manuwa suffering unfortunate injuries, there were several other fighters bitten by the bug. Among them Ketlen Veiria, who was forced out of her fight against Tonya Evinger. Also, Mark Goodbeer and Antonio Carlos Junior were forced out of their fights against Luis Henrique and Elias Theodorou.
New Blood:
Andre Ewell will be making his Octagon debut against former Bantamweight champion Renan Barao, which is a tough task for anyone, much less a newbie. Still, Ewell is riding high on confidence with a four fight win streak. Marina Rodriguez will make her official debut against Randa Markos in main card action after earning spot with an impressive win on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. Also, Christa Giagos and Ryan Spamm will be fighting under the brightest lights when the face off against Charles Oliveira and Luis Henrique, respectively.
Augusto Sakai -- another DWTNCS alum -- will be making his first jump into the eight-sided cage, officially, when he faces off against Chase Sherman. Mayra Silva also earned her spot on Dana’s show, as she will put her undefeated mark (4-0) against Gillian Roberson. Luigi Vendramini will also make his UFC debut when he squares up with Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, while former Invicta FC strawweight champion Livia Renata Souza makes her Octagon debut against Alex Chambers.
How The Prelims Look:
Two long-time veteran in Francisco Trinaldo and Evan Dunham will collide in Lightweight action, while Ben Saunders and Sergio Moraes face off in Welterweight action in what could be a show-stealer. Then you have a former champion and a former title contender in Hector Lombard and Thales Leites getting it on on the Fight Pass portion of the event.
To get a more detailed look at those, as well as the rest of the underbelly, click here and here.
Who Needs A Win Badly:
How the mighty have fallen, as one of the most hyped transfers ever, Hector Lombard, has been relegated to the Fight Pass “Prelims,” taking on Thales Leites in Middleweight action. That’s a result of Lombard losing a mind-blowing five straight fights. Yes, five. Should he lose his sixth in a row, I highly doubt UFC will keep him around, which could pave his way to a Bellator return. If they’ll even have him back. Hector needs a win in the worst way. In an interesting note, Thales will retire after the fight, win, lose or draw.
Interest Level: 5/10
The card is really lacking some heavy drawing power, but it will keep people satisfied for the time being, as most are anxiously awaiting UFC 229. Sam Alvey and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira will collide in main card action in a bout that could prove to be fun. Furthermore, former UFC bantamweight champion, Renan Barao, will attempt to save face after failing miserably to make weight for his 135-pound fight against Andre Ewell. In the meantime, maybe he can find the fighter who was once considered a top pound-for-pound athlete.
Barao has lost two in a row, and is shell of the former fighter he used to be, winning just one fight since 2015. Indeed, after getting knocked out by T.J. Dillashaw, Barao simply hasn’t been the same. If he suffers his third straight defeat, who knows if the promotion will keep him around.
Full Fight Card:
UFC Fight Night 137 Main Event:
205 lbs.: Thiago Santos vs. Eryk Anders — Jimi Manuwa injured (full details here)
UFC Fight Night 137 Main Card on FS1 (10:30 p.m. ET)
170 lbs.: Alex Oliveira vs. Carlo Pedersoli
205 lbs.: Sam Alvey vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
135 lbs.: Renan Barao vs. Andre Ewell
115 lbs.: Randa Markos vs. Marina RodriguezUFC Fight Night 137 Prelims on FS2 (8:30 p.m. ET)
155 lbs.: Christos Giagos vs. Charles Oliveira
155 lbs.: Evan Dunham vs. Francisco Trinaldo
205 lbs.: Luis Henrique vs. Ryan Spann
265 lbs.: Augusto Sakai vs. Chase ShermanUFC Fight Night 137 Prelims on Fight Pass (6:30 p.m. ET)
170 lbs.: Sergio Moraes vs. Ben Saunders
125 lbs.: Marya Bueno Silva vs. Gillian Robertson
185 lbs.: Thales Leites vs. Hector Lombard
170 lbs.: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Luigi Vendramini
115 lbs.: Alex Chambers vs. Livia Renata Souza
For more upcoming UFC events click here.