The UFC returned to Brazil Saturday night in the 10th installment of the UFC’s free events on FUEL TV.
As expected, a number of the Brazilian fighters on the card came away with statement wins that will catapult them up the rankings in their respective divisions.
The theme of the evening was “finish him!” as 10 of the 12 fights held on the card ended via either submission or (technical) knockout.
Let’s evaluate whose stock went up, and down, the most in Fortaleza, Brazil this weekend.
BIGGEST WINNER
Fabricio Werdum – “Vai Cavalo” had the opportunity to avenge one of his two PRIDE losses Saturday night and he did so in impressive fashion.
Werdum had to deal with “Minotauro’s” constant pressure and clinch striking throughout the first round. So early in the second, he decided to finish this fight on the ground.
Matched up with one of the best submissions specialists in heavyweight history, Werdum showed he’s on a different level by locking up a masterful armbar from the back. Clearly, he deserves the winner of Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos III next.
WINNER
Erick Silva – The highly-touted Brazilian prospect had the wind taken out of his sails after a loss to Jon Fitch at UFC 153 in October, but he wasn’t going to lose in front of his countrymen in consecutive bouts.
Silva completely outclassed decorated wrestler Jason High on the ground, locking up an inverted triangle armbar from the back just 71 seconds in. He deserves a top 10 opponent ASAP.
WINNER
Thiago Silva – After his two most recent wins were overturned to no-contests following failed post-fight drug tests, Thiago Silva desperately needed a win over Rafael Cavalcante.
After weathering an early storm, Silva unleashed vicious combinations before dropping the former Strikeforce champ with an uppercut, needing to just one more shot on the ground to end the fight. Silva vs. Glover Teixeira is certainly an intriguing match up.
WINNER
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – The UFC has hosted countless events in Brazil before, a hot bed for skilled Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, but never has an event produced eight submission stoppages before.
All of the tap outs featured slick transitions into perfectly executed joint locks or chokes. Royce Gracie had to be a happy camper this weekend.
BIGGEST LOSER
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira – The ex-PRIDE champion may have very well reached the end of the line.
Up to winning the UFC interim heavyweight belt from Tim Sylvia at UFC 81 in February 2008, “Big Nog” boasted a rock solid 31-4-1(1) record.
Since then, he is just 3-3 and has been finished in each loss. The 37-year-old should hang up the gloves now before he tarnishes his world renowned legacy.
LOSER
Rafael Cavalcante – The former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion was putting it on Thiago Silva early in their main card match up and seemed poised for a knockout win.
Yet, for whatever reason, “Feijão” only had cardio for about three minutes and Silva was quick to pounce on his fading foe. It’s been all bad news for Cavalcante since testing positive for steroids after a submission win over Mike Kyle last May.
LOSER
Jason High – A lot of fans and analysts were giving Jason High, a highly-regarded wrestler, a fighting chance against Erick Silva.
That was a mistake, as Silva submitted High in a little over a minute, not receiving much resistance in the process. Despite a solid 16-4 overall record, High is remains winless (0-2) inside the Octagon.
LOSER
Karlos Vemola – The six-time Czech Republic National Wrestling Champion has now been rear-naked choked in consecutive bouts following his loss to Caio Magalhaes on Saturday.
Given a pedestrian 2-4 record inside the Octagon, don’t be surprised if Vemola is handed his pink slip this week.