In a Top Ten Middleweight Bout, Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza Wins Rematch Against Derek Brunson With First Round Head Kick…
Unfortunately for the organization’s executives, UFC on Fox 26 will be remembered more for some extremely dubious judging than for the actual fights that took place. Andre Fili and Ji Yeon Kim both won by dubious split decisions. Kim’s victory over Justine Kish was particularly atrocious, with many fighters tweeting that the American was robbed.
However, one fight that didn’t disappoint was the headliner. Brazilian Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza took on Derek Brunson in the main event at Charlotte, South Carolina. Hometown boy Brunson was hoping to avenge his previous loss to Souza way back in 2012 when the pair crossed paths in their Strikeforce days.
Both men were aware that this was a potential title eliminator. ‘Jacare’ was coming off a defeat to current middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, back in April last year. Meanwhile, Brunson came into the bout on a two-fight win streak, beating Lyoto Machida last time out.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Been-mSFwP7/?hl=en&taken-by=ufc
Highlight Reel Finish
While many expected Brunson to come out quickly and apply pressure on Jacare, in truth nothing happened for the first 90 seconds. Then Brunson tried to put together a few combinations, before coming forward aggressively. ‘Jacare’ lands a highlight reel leg kick to the head, dropping the American and then it’s ground and pound.
A great way to finish what was a controversial night. ‘Jacare’ made use of a sharper fight IQ. Brunson has the physicality and athletic ability but he is prone to rash decisions that cost him in big fights like this.
Rough night in the office . When two Top 10 guys in the world are going after it someone has to leave… https://t.co/2HL3NFS7Hr
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) January 28, 2018
Gracious in Defeat
As much as it must have hurt to have lost to ‘Jacare’ for the second time – and to be knocked unconscious by a kick straight from Hell – Brunson tried to stay respectful. He tweeted after the fight, as can be seen above. Despite being beaten in his home state he made no excuses. He told MMAJUNKIE in the postfight interview:
I can’t blame nobody but myself. I look at the replay and, man, I cover up a little bit tighter, and we’re still in the fight. I felt really good in the fight, was doing well. I saw myself taking him out, but hey, it didn’t go my way. So it’s just back to the drawing board.”
It’s not unfair to say that the South Carolina fighter has lost serious momentum. The top of the middleweight division is congested and complicated, with little room for error.
HE'S BACK! @jacaremma gets a huge TKO win with the head kick on Derek Brunson! #UFCCharlotte https://t.co/qQnOuNcuJO
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) January 28, 2018
What Next?
If it wasn’t for the title picture being so messy, Souza would probably be in line for a title shot. However, with Whittaker recovering from a life-threatening staph infection, Luke Rockhold and Yoel Romero will fight for an interim title. You would assume the winner of the interim title will face Whittaker after he recovers.
Kelvin Gastelum may be next for ‘Jacare’. He was disappointed after Luke Rockhold got the interim title shot ahead of him. The loser of Rockhold and Romero may be next for Brunson. It’s really such a congested division.
‘Jacare’ will have done his chances no harm after such a devastating finish. The undisputed highlight of a night that raised serious questions about the caliber of judges at different UFC events, it gave something for audiences to cheer. Watch the Move of the Fight above, courtesy of UFC on Fox 26. The Brazilian is one scary man.
