Brazil vs. United States in the UFC 102

By Guilherme Cruz

Photo Josh Hedges

 

With Lyoto Machida’s conquest at UFC 98, taking the light heavyweight belt to Belém, Brazilwill have a big challenge in the edition 102 of the American event. Still without official confirmation, the UFC 102 should put six Brazilians in the octagon. Interestingly, they’ll all face Americans opponents. In the main fight of the night, the UFC should promote the awaited bout between the former champions, putting the legend Randy Couture face to face with the former Pride and UFC champion Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira.

 

At the middleweight division, Demian Maia, who comes from five victories by submission in the UFC, will have the biggest challenge of his career against the tough Nate Marquardt. "I'm already training. Indeed, I didn’t stop, but now is near and the training changes a little. I think that, whoever wins, faces Anderson Silva in the end of the year... And I hope it is me", said the black belt to TATAME.com. Among the heavyweights, Junior dos Santos will face Justin McCully, and is excited to bring another victory to Brazil.

 

"He doesn’t have much striking standing, but is a great athlete, very hard. I’ll train to try to impress on the ground, but my game plan is to fight standing, I’ll prefer to strike again. It is doing right and I hope I get another knockout. But, if the fight goes to the ground, I’ll be well trained", guarantees Dos Santos, in an interview to TATAME.com, betting on a victory of Nogueira in the main fight of the night. "I believe that Rodrigo takes it. Couture is a very experienced guy, will probably want to grab Rodrigo, put him down and work the ground and pound, but Rodrigo is the best of all. He came from a bad phase, but will return surprising. I spoke with him and he is training hard, already lost some weight and is in shape again”.

 

Still among the heavyweights, Gabriel Gonzaga should return to the UFC against Chris Tuchscherer, who will make his UFC debut after 17 victories in 18 fights. At the middleweights, James Irvin  will have Wilson Gouveia as opponent and, completing the Brazilian participation, the light heavyweight Thiago Silva returns to the UFC thirst for victories against Keith Jardine. "I'm doing the complete work, strengthening the column to have no more injuries, but it’s ok, is all set. Keith Jardine is a good athlete, but for now I’m emphasizing the technical part, at the physical preparation. I’ll start to create a tactic close to the fight", said Thiago.