Ronaldo Souza – Page 7 – Syndication Server

Ronaldo Souza ready to show the real ‘Jacare’ is back at UFC on ESPN+ 22

When fans tune into UFC on ESPN+ 22, Ronaldo Souza said they can expect to see the resurgence of the true “Jacare.”

Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 22 marks the debut of [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] at light heavyweight.

Souza (26-7 MMA, 9-4 UFC), a perennial middleweight contender, will elevate to 205 pounds for the first time in his UFC tenure when he takes on Poland’s Jan Blachowicz.

Souza’s move to 205 pounds comes after dropping three of his past five fights. In April, Souza suffered a unanimous decision loss to Norway’s Jack Hermansson. Since then, “Jacare” said he has improved his life inside and outside the cage.

“I’m happy because everything has changed in my life,” Souza said in a UFC promotional video. “This fight against Jan is very important for me. The UFC gave me the opportunity to fight in a light heavyweight main event – a tough fight in my hometown.”

For the fight against Blachowicz (24-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC), Souza said he will return to his roots – his signature grappling abilities. While his striking has improved over the years, Souza thinks he’s over-utilized it in recent fights.

“Sometimes, I use too (much) striking,” Souza said. “Sometimes, I win. Sometimes, I lose. But right now, I’m back to my roots. I use a lot of jiu-jitsu. I train a lot of jiu-jitsu. I believe everything is going to be different right now.”

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When fans tune into UFC on ESPN+ 22, Souza said they can expect to see the resurgence of the true “Jacare.” The key to his success has been his happiness. Souza indicated he’s entering UFC Sao Paulo in a great mood.

“I’m happy, and if I’m happy it’s hard to beat me,” Souza said. “I have to go there and beat Jan and make me more happy. When I think about this, my mind is blowing. Whatever he brings to the octagon, I overcome.

“I’m ready for the fight and to show everybody ‘Jacare’ is back.”

UFC on ESPN+ 22 takes place Saturday at Ginásio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo. The card streams on ESPN+.

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UFC on ESPN+ 22 predictions: Who’s taking ‘Jacare’ to upset Blachowicz in Sao Paulo?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN+ 22 main card in Sao Paulo.

	Blachowicz vs. Souza	Craig vs. Rua	Gordon vs. Oliveira	Arroyo vs. Muniz	Perez vs. Turman
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2019: 194-120 (62%)	Blachowicz (61%)	Rua (64%)	Oliveira (95%)	Muniz (53%)	Perez (56%)
Simon Head @simonhead 2019: 110-62 (64%)	Blachowicz	Rua	Oliveira	Muniz	Perez
Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2019: 200-114 (64%)	Blachowicz	Rua	Oliveira	Muniz	Perez
Nolan King @mma_kings 2019: 106-61 (63%)	Blachowicz	Rua	Oliveira	Muniz	Perez
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2019: 198-116 (63%) 2018 Champion	Souza	Rua	Oliveira	Muniz	Turman
Brian Garcia @thegoze 2019: 197-117 (63%) 2017 Champion	Blachowicz	Rua	Oliveira	Muniz	Perez
John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2019: 195-119 (62%)	Blachowicz	Rua	Oliveira	Muniz	Perez
Simon Samano @SJSamano 2019: 195-119 (62%)	Souza	Rua	Oliveira	Muniz	Perez
Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2019: 194-120 (62%) 2014 Champion	Souza	Rua	Oliveira	Muniz	Perez
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2019: 190-124 (61%)	Blachowicz	Rua	Oliveira	Muniz	Turman
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2019: 96-65 (60%)	Blachowicz	Rua	Gordon	Muniz	Perez
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2019: 184-130 (59%)	Blachowicz	Rua	Oliveira	Muniz	Perez
Dave Doyle @davedoylemma 2019: 122-100 (55%)	Blachowicz	Rua	Oliveira	Muniz	Perez
Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2019: 167-147 (53%)	Souza	Craig	Gordon	Arroyo	Turman

The UFC is back in Brazil this week with a longtime middleweight heading to 205 pounds for the first time.

UFC on ESPN+ 22 takes place Saturday at Ginásio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo. The card streams on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

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In the main event, [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] (24-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC) takes on longtime 185-pound standout [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] (26-7 MMA, 9-4 UFC), who is moving to light heavyweight for the first time. Blachowicz is as much as a 2-1 favorite at some sports books, and nine of our 13 MMA Junkie editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers are picking him to win in hostile territory.

In the co-main event, [autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC) travels into hostile territory to take on former light heavyweight champion and longtime fan favorite [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] (26-11 MMA, 10-9 UFC). “Shogun” is a heavy favorite, and all but one of our pickers are taking him to beat Craig.

Also on the main card, only two pickers are taking [autotag]Jared Gordon[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) to upset [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (27-8 MMA, 15-8 UFC) in their lightweight bout. Oliveira is the heaviest favorite on the card at -450.

A pair of promotional newcomers from Dana White’s Contender Series meet at middleweight when [autotag]Antonio Arroyo[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) takes on [autotag]Andre Muniz[/autotag] (18-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC). It’s a close fight with the oddsmakers, who have it nearly a pick’em with just a slight betting edge to Muniz. But Muniz has the picks lead from our staff members in a 12-1 blowout.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) is a slight favorite against [autotag]Wellington Turman[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at middleweight, but our pickers have Perez with a heavy 10-3 lead.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Blachowicz (61%), Rua (64 percent), Oliveira (95 percent), Muniz (53 percent) and Perez (56 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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5 burning questions heading into UFC on ESPN+ 22

MMA Junkie’s Dave Doyle previews UFC on ESPN+ 22 with the top storylines heading into the Brazil card.

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A stretch of weekly UFC events dating back to Aug. 31 winds to its conclusion Saturday, as the company heads back to one of its most reliable international markets, Brazil, for UFC on ESPN+ 22, before things shut down for a couple of weeks.

As is usually the case when the promotion goes to one of the sport’s true hotbeds, there’s an interesting array of matchups featuring several big names in consequential fights.

This includes the main event, an important light heavyweight showdown with potential championship-picture implications between [autotag]Jan Blachowicz [/autotag]and [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag].

UFC on ESPN+ 22 takes place Saturday at Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo. The card streams on ESPN+.

Without further ado, here are five burning questions heading into UFC on ESPN+ 22.

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How will the move up to light heavyweight go for ‘Jacare’ Souza?

After dropping two of his past three fights and three of his past five, former Strikeforce middleweight champion Souza (26-7 MMA, 9-4 UFC) makes the move up to 205 pounds for his main event bout with Jan Blachowicz (24-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC).

It’s hard not to draw a comparison to the other former champs who have recently attempted to refresh their careers with moves up in weight.

And, well, it hasn’t exactly gone so well.

Luke Rockhold made the jump earlier this year at UFC 239, where he get mauled in short order by Blachowicz. Chris Weidman tried it out last month, and he didn’t last two minutes before he was finished by Dominick Reyes.

Add in that “Jacare” is a month shy of his 40th birthday, and, well, it doesn’t look good on paper. Until you look a little deeper, that is.

Rockhold, who spent years sparring hard in the gym with bigger fighters in Cain Velasquez and Daniel Cormier at American Kickboxing Academy, was knocked out badly by Michael Bisping and Yoel Romero at middleweight before moving up. Weidman, for his part, was on an even worse string of results, including getting stopped by Souza and Rockhold.

“Jacare,” on the other hand, lost a debatable split decision to Kelvin Gastelum and accepted a dangerous short-notice foe in Jack Hermansson last time out, where he still went the distance before losing.

Blachowicz is no less dangerous for Souza than he was Rockhold, but the simple fact of the matter is this move doesn’t seem to present the same red flags as his fellow standouts who have made the jump.

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UFC on ESPN+ 22 breakdown: Is Jan Blachowicz’s Polish power too much for ‘Jacare’ Souza?

MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom takes a closer look at the UFC Sao Paulo headliner between Jan Blachowicz and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza.

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MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main event for UFC on ESPN+ 22.

UFC on ESPN+ 22 takes place Saturday at Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo. The card streams on ESPN+.

Jan Blachowicz (24-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC)

Staple info:

Height: 6’2″ Age: 36 Weight: 205 lbs. Reach: 78″
Last fight: Knockout win over Luke Rockhold (July 6, 2019)
Camp: WCA Fight Team (Poland)
Stance/striking style: Orthodox/muay Thai
Risk management: Good

Supplemental info:

+ KSW light heavyweight title
+ Muay Thai accolades
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ 6 knockout victories
+ 9 submission wins
+ 6 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Excellent jab
+ Dangerous uppercuts and hooks
+ Will switch stances
^ Favors liver kicks from southpaw
+ Strong inside the clinch
^ Strikes well off the breaks
+ Improved wrestling ability
^ Defensively and offensively
+ Solid transitional grappler
^ Submission savvy from top or bottom

Ronaldo Souza (26-7 MMA, 9-4 UFC)

Staple info:

Height: 6’1″ Age: 39 Weight: 205 lbs. Reach: 72″
Last fight: Decision loss to Jack Hermansson (April 27, 2019)
Camp: Fusion X-cel Performance (Florida)
Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
Risk management: Fair

Supplemental info:

+ Former Strikeforce middleweight champion
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo black belt
+ Multiple grappling accolades
+ 8 knockout victories
+ 14 submission wins
+ 18 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Consistent pace and pressure
+ Heavy right hand
^ Throws well off feints and shifts
+ Improved overall boxing ability
^ Variates well to the body
+ Solid wrestling skills
^ Favors takedowns along the fence
+ Dangerous in transition
^ Superb scrambles and back-takes
+ Slick submission setups

Point of interest: Entering the pressure cooker

The main event in Sao Paulo features an interesting light heavyweight matchup between two men who are familiar with pressure.

Stepping onto the UFC scene as a persistent, pressuring stalker who can come forward in combination from either stance, [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] has steadily developed into a deceptively effective counter striker when he wants to be. In the heat of combat, the Pole packs a mean uppercut-hook return that he keeps on a hair-trigger, something he was able to show against both Jared Cannonier and Jimi Manuwa.

Blachowicz also employs a stiff and serviceable jab that he quietly uses to string together his offense, which may help him stave off the aggression coming his way. When he’s feeling in stride, the 36-year-old has no issue shifting to southpaw to deliver crushing liver kicks.

However, given his current counterpart, I suspect that Blachowicz may shelf kick attempts that are south of a headshot.

Enter [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag].

A marauding, athletic phenom who has consistently improved his striking since his days on the Strikeforce scene, Souza can truly call himself a multi-dimensional threat.

Steadily stalking his prey with palpable pressure, Souza will use feints to bait opponents into exchanging with him. Once able to get a bite, he will typically unleash a wicked counter cross or change his level to shoot for a takedown. Souza also occasionally shifts to southpaw when he needs to, often accompanying this move with a check hook for safety (something that could come in handy considering the success Thiago Santos had in his fight with Blachowicz).

When Souza senses that he has someone hurt, the 16-year veteran has no problem letting his hands fly liberally, varying in between uppercuts and hooks along the way. And in Souza’s last few outings, he’s displayed upgraded boxing techniques and sensibilities, incorporating more inside slips and left hooks to the liver (both of which play very well off of his patented right hand).

Still, the pressure that Souza brings usually comes with a tangible price tag to go along with the gas that it requires, which means that this battle – which will see Souza carrying 20 more pounds than usual – should get even more intriguing the longer it goes.

Next point of interest: Jacare’s world

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UFC on ESPN+ 22 pre-event facts: What record will Charles Oliveira set next?

The best stats and figures about UFC on ESPN+ 22, which features a Jan Blachowicz vs. Ronaldo Souza main event.

The UFC makes its final Brazil stop of the year on Saturday with UFC on ESPN+ 22, which takes place at Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo with a 12-fight lineup set to stream entirely on ESPN+.

An important light heavyweight matchup headlines the card. [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] (23-8 MMA, 6-5 UFC) will look to improve his status as a top contender when he meets [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] (26-7 MMA, 9-4 UFC), the former Strikeforce champ who is moving up to 205 pounds for the first time with hopes of a fresh start.

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 60 pre-event facts about UFC on ESPN+ 22.

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Main event

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Blachowicz competes in his second UFC headliner. He’s 0-1 in previous main events.

Blachowicz is 5-1 in his past six UFC appearances dating back to October 2017. The only defeat in that stretch came to Thiago Santos.

Blachowicz is one of two light heavyweights in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a body kick. He accomplished the feat at UFC Fight Night 53.

Blachowicz lands 52 percent of his takedown attempts in UFC light-heavyweight competition, the second highest rate in divisional history behind Lyoto Machida (65 percent).

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Souza competes in the light heavyweight division for the first time in his career. He’s never fought above 194 pounds.

Souza has alternated wins and losses over his past six fights. He was defeated in his most recent bout at UFC on ESPN+ 8 in April.

Souza has earned 22 of his 26 career victories by stoppage. That includes seven of his nine UFC wins.

Souza’s 14 victories in UFC/Strikeforce middleweight competition are tied for third most in combined divisional history behind Michael Bisping (16) and Luke Rockhold (15).

Souza’s 12 stoppage victories in UFC/Strikeforce middleweight competition are second most in combined divisional history behind Rockhold (13).

Co-main event

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[autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] (26-11 MMA, 10-9 UFC) competes in his 20th UFC light heavyweight bout, tied with Ryan Bader, Rashad Evans and Ovince Saint Preux for the second most appearances in divisional history behind Jon Jones (21).

Rua’s 22 victories in UFC/PRIDE light-heavyweight competition are the most in combined divisional history.

Rua’s 18 stoppage victories in UFC/PRIDE/WEC/Strikeforce competition are fourth most in combined organizational history behind Mirko Filipovic (21), Wanderlei Silva (20) and Donald Cerrone (20).

Rua’s 17 knockout victories in UFC/PRIDE light-heavyweight competition are the most in combined divisional history.

Rua’s eight knockout victories in modern UFC light-heavyweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Chuck Liddell (nine).

Rua is the only light heavyweight in UFC history to earn his first six victories with the organization by knockout.

Rua’s 14 knockdowns landed in UFC light-heavyweight competition are tied with Liddell for most in divisional history.

Rua’s eight fight-night bonuses for UFC light-heavyweight fights are tied with Jones for most in divisional history.

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[autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC) makes his second UFC appearance in a 56-day stretch. He won at UFC on ESPN+ 17 on Sept. 21.

Craig has alternated wins and losses over his past six fights. He won his most recent bout at UFC on ESPN+ 17 in September.

Craig has earned all 12 of his career victories by stoppage.

Craig’s victory at 4:59 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 127 is the latest submission in a three-round UFC fight.

Remaining main card

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[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (27-8 MMA, 15-8 UFC) is 6-1 since he returned to the UFC lightweight division in April 2017. He’s 8-3 (with one no contest) in the organization at 155 pounds.

Oliveira’s average fight time of 5:08 in UFC lightweight competition is the second shortest in divisional history behind Manny Gamburyan (4:45).

Oliveira’s five-fight UFC stoppage streak is tied with Marlon Vera for the longest active streak in the company.

Oliveira’s 14 stoppage victories in UFC competition are tied with Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort for second most in company history behind Cerrone (16).

Oliveira’s 13 submission victories in UFC competition are most in company history.

Oliveira’s six submission victories in UFC featherweight competition are the most in divisional history.

Oliveira’s four guillotine-choke victories in UFC competition are tied with Nate Diaz for most in company history.

Oliveira is one of two fighters in UFC history with multiple submission victories via anaconda choke. Phil Davis also accomplished the feat.

Oliveira is one of two fighters in UFC history to earn submission victories with six different techniques. Frank Mir also accomplished the feat.

Oliveira is one of two fighters in UFC history to earn a calf-slicer submission victory. Brett Johns also accomplished the feat.

Oliveira has been awarded 14 fight-night bonuses for UFC bouts, the fourth most in company history behind Cerrone (18), Diaz (15) and Joe Lauzon (15).

Oliveira has been awarded eight “Performance of the Night” bonuses, the most in company history.

Oliveira is the only fighter in UFC history to be awarded five or more fight-night bonuses in two separate divisions.

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[autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) is one of 17 fighters in UFC history to earn a submission victory by anaconda choke. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN+ 2.

[autotag]Wellington Turman[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC), 23, is the youngest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

Preliminary card

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[autotag]James Krause[/autotag] (26-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since August 2018. He hasn’t fought more than once in a calendar year since 2015.

Krause is 3-0 in the UFC when competing at welterweight.

Krause enters the event on a five-fight UFC winning streak. He hasn’t suffered an octagon defeat since February 2016.

[autotag]Ricardo Ramos[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) moves up to the featherweight division after spending his previous five UFC appearances at bantamweight.

Ramos is one of two fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout victory stemming from a spinning back elbow. He accomplished the feat at UFC 217. Dong Hyun Kim is the other fighter to win with the technique.

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[autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag] (23-7 MMA, 13-6 UFC), 41, is the oldest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

Trinaldo, 41, is the oldest active fighter in the UFC lightweight division.

Trinaldo becomes the 12th fighter in UFC history to make 20 or more lightweight appearances.

Trinaldo is the only fighter in UFC history to earn two arm-triangle submission victories from half-guard.

[autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] (24-9-1 MMA, 5-4-1 UFC) is 1-4 (with one no contest) in his past six fights dating back to November 2014.

[autotag]Warlley Alves[/autotag]’ (13-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) three guillotine choke submission victories in UFC competition are tied for third most in company history behind Oliveira (four) and Diaz (four).

[autotag]Douglas Silva de Andrade[/autotag] (25-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) returns to the featherweight division for the first time since his UFC debut in February 2014. He went 4-2 at bantamweight.

Andrade is 3-3 in his past five fights after starting his career on a 23-fight unbeaten streak.

Andrade is one of seven fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a spinning backfist. He accomplished the feat at UFC Fight Night 98.

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[autotag]Renan Barao[/autotag]’s (34-8 MMA, 9-7 UFC) four-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since September 2016.

Barao is 2-7 in his past nine fights after going on a 33-fight unbeaten streak that lasted more than nine years.

Barao returns to the featherweight division for the first time since September 2016. He went 0-4 during his most recent bantamweight stint before moving up.

Barao is one of three fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a spinning back kick to the head. He accomplished the feat at UFC 165.

Barao defends 92.5 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC competition, the sixth highest rate in company history.

Barao holds the record for most consecutive takedown attempts stopped in UFC history (33).

Barao’s five fight-night bonuses for UFC bantamweight bouts are tied for second most in divisional history behind T.J. Dillashaw (eight).

[autotag]Veronica Macedo[/autotag] (6-3-1 MMA, 1-3 UFC) is 1-2 since she dropped to the UFC women’s flyweight division in May 2018.

Macedo’s submission victory at 1:09 of Round 1 at UFC on ESPN+ 15 is the fastest finish in UFC women’s flyweight history.

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.

UFC on ESPN+ 22: Make your predictions for Jan Blachowicz vs. Ronaldo Souza

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 22 event in Sao Paulo.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Thursday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the UFC on ESPN+ 22 event staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. UFC on ESPN+ 22 takes place Saturday at Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo. The card streams on ESPN+.

Make your picks for all five main card fights inside:

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