Brazil closer to the UFC hegemony

By Guilherme Cruz

Photos Josh Hedges

 

Brazilian is good on the ground, but doesn’t know how to strike standing: this concept ran the world of MMA for many years, but this has changed. With the UFC consecrated as the biggest event in the world, we’re close to get three belts, which would put the country back on top of the sport. In TATAME Magazine’s May issue, we’ve talked with the three men who can put our country on top of the world, and who already changed a tradition.

 

In the moment that the UFC was created and the MMA was growing around the world, Brazil was known as the land of the Jiu-Jitsu. Used to see shows of Jiu-Jitsu, three masters of striking have shown that we also make the difference standing. In a amazing report, we show how Anderson Silva was consecrated as the greatest fighter in the UFC history, setting the new consecutive victories record with his demolishing Muay Thai, and we’ve talked to our "new generation", that has already dominated the UFC and is set to fight for two more titles, Lyoto Machida (at 185lbs) and Thiago "Pitbull" Alves (until 170lbs).

 

"I’ve battled hard to get here. Since my 14 years old I train and I pray every day to be the best in the world, and I see all this as a result of this dedication. I can’t wait to get in that octagon and bring that belt to Brazil and to ATT, which is my family here", promises Pitbull, who will face Georges St. Pierre at UFC 100, in Las Vegas. With an eye on the 205lbs belt, Lyoto Machida dispute, on May 23, the title against Rashad Evans, and wants to remain undefeated. "This fight is the realization of a dream, a personal achievement", says the fighter.

 

In the report, TATAME shows how Anderson Silva has been consecrated as the biggest fighter in the UFC history, winning his ninth consecutive fight, absolute record in the event, and analyzed the next belt chance of the Brazilians, who can finish the first semester with three of the five belts of the biggest event in the world. Click here and check what TATAME #149 brings to you, and here to ensure yours.