TUF Brasil - Episode 13 Recap

After 13 episodes, the four finalists of the first edition of TUF Brazil are now known. In the featherweight division, Godofredo Pepey and Rony Jason were already guaranteed their spots. At middleweight, Daniel Sarafian was still waiting the result of the fight between Cezar Mutante from Team Vitor and Thiago Bodão from Team Wanderlei. Besides defining the last finalist of the reality show, the 13th episode of TUF also featured the participation of the narrator from Rede Globo, Galvão Bueno, who celebrated the fighters who did well inside the Octagon.

Galvão Bueno announced, among the other attractions of the night, the last fight of the seroes: Cezar Mutante vs Thiago Bodão. The fight would define the last finalist of the show, and the one who will compete for a UFC contract at UFC 147 on June 23rd in Belo Horizonte.

In preparation for combat, Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva praised the persistence and capacity for overcoming adversity of Bodão as his top qualities for the fight. However, the opinions diverged about Cezar Mutante. Wanderlei raised the possibility of Cezar being protected by Vitor because they were from the same team outside the house, and he said that he would only be convinced that Mutante is a great fighter when he defeated Bodão.

Before the fight, the fighters received the visit from Galvão Bueno, who talked with them and asked for their strategies. Mutante, almost prophetic, said he would try to take the advantages as they come, and that is exactly what he did.

The last semifinalists of the middleweight division entered the Octagon, and Mutante from the opening seconds, showed himself to be pretty confident. Soon he started to throw good punches at Bodão’s head, and his opponent felt the blows. After that, a spinning kick like that from capoeira (which got some compliments from Galvão after the fight) almost landed. The next one did hit though, as Cezar delivered a powerful side kick that hit Bodao flush in the face. He fell, knocked out, as Mutante guaranteed his spot in the final.

“What I did was focus and take advantage of the opportunity when it came up. It is a personal realization to fight on the UFC card.  I’ll give 100% to be the champion”, said Mutante, who submitted two opponents on TUF Brazil before knocking Bodão out.

After the fight, Galvao also announced the special awards from the show. Mutante got a Ford pickup truck for compiling the fastest total time in the Octagon during TUF Brazil: 7:29. Besides that, he also got a check for 45 thousand for best knockout (of Bodao). Best submission went to Rony Jason against Anistavio Gasparzinho, for his armlock in the quarterfinals. The best fight of the show was between Thiago Bodão and Trinaldo Massaranduba. In this case, both fighters got the prize.

This Saturday, the TUF Brazil champions will be crowned at UFC 147 in Belo Horizonte.

“There’s always a hurry,” said Mutante. “The next fight is always the most important.”  

“They are pursuing a dream, and this dream is to get to the final, be the champion and sign the contract with the UFC”, said Galvão.