Anderson (left) and Belfort (right): from rivals to “naked” colleagues. Photo: Disclosure
This Sunday (21), great classics such as Flamengo x Vasco, Internacional x Grêmio and Santos x São Paulo shake up the pitches in a round marked by classics in the Brasileirão. Taking advantage of this atmosphere, SUPER LUTAS recalls some great Brazilian rivalries that shook up the UFC.
Inside the Octagon, some rivalries have become iconic and have gone down in history. Let's relive and contextualize some of them:
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Vitor Belfort vs. Wanderlei Silva
Vitor's sequence over Wand was the most memorable scene at UFC Brasil in 1998. Photo: Disclosure
Almost 30 years have passed since the only time I Vitor belfort e Wanderlei Silva shared the octagon. The rivalry between the two, however, continues to generate storylines to this day.
Before becoming world MMA legends, Vitor belfort knocked out Wanderlei Silva in just 44 seconds during the first UFC event in Brazil in 1998. Years later, in 2012, the two starred as coaches in the first season of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil, the Brazilian version of the UFC reality show. The expectation was that the rematch would take place at the end of the season, but an injury to Belfort prevented the plan from coming to fruition.
Vitor belfort e Wanderlei Silva had a boxing match scheduled for next Saturday (27), at Spaten Fight Night 2, but concussions suffered in training forced Vitor belfort to cancel the commitment, being replaced by boxing legend Acelino Popó Freitas.
Anderson Silva x Vitor Belfort
Weighing in was one of the highlight moments of the duel. Photo: Disclosure
The rivalry between Anderson Silva e Vitor belfort transcended the sport, representing a generational clash between two of Brazil's greatest MMA icons. On the one hand, the absolute reign of Anderson Silva, who dominated the middleweight division with an aura of invincibility. On the other hand, Vitor belfort, the "Phenomenon," seeking to prove he was still capable of reaching the top. The fight was so highly anticipated that it earned the nickname "Fight of the Century" even in its publicity.
The climax came at UFC 126, when Silva landed a historic front kick that knocked out Belfort in less than four minutes. The move not only ended the fight in spectacular fashion but also definitively crowned Silva a living legend of the sport. The image of the knockout became one of the most replicated moments in UFC history.
Even years later, the “Fight of the Century” remains a reference to how rivalries between great stars can elevate MMA to a broader cultural level, transforming a fight into a truly historic event.
Mauricio Shogun vs. Lyoto Machida
Lyoto Machida (left) and Mauricio Shogun (right) faced each other twice for the belt (Photo: Reproduction)
The rivalry between Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Lyoto Machida It was a clash of styles that captivated MMA fans. On one side, Machida's precise and defensive karate; on the other, Shogun's aggressive Muay Thai. Their first fight, in 2009, was so technical and close that it generated historic controversy: Machida won by unanimous decision, but many believed Shogun had done enough to win.
The rematch, at UFC 113, left no doubt. Shogun adjusted his strategy, found the right distance, and knocked out Machida in the first round, winning the light heavyweight title. The fight showcased Shogun's tactical evolution and the resilience of both fighters.
Despite their rivalry, Shogun and Lyoto maintained mutual respect, making their clash an example of how an intense fight can be fought with honor. Their two fights—the controversial first and the definitive rematch—remain among the most technical and memorable duels in UFC history, marking an era of Brazilian excellence in the sport.
Amanda Nunes x Cris Cyborg
Amanda nunes (left) won Chris Cyborg by knockout in December 2018. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook ufc
The outcome was as explosive as it was unexpected: at UFC 232 in December 2018, Nunes landed a devastating sequence of strikes that knocked out Cyborg in just 51 seconds. The impact was historic—not only for the lightning victory, but for breaking an unbeaten streak of more than a decade and crowning "Leoa" the first woman to hold two UFC belts simultaneously.
Despite the clear verdict inside the Octagon, the rivalry remained alive beyond the UFC. Cyborg, who continued to win titles in other organizations, publicly expressed her frustration at the lack of a rematch, making it clear that the competitive flame never completely died out. This fight not only redefined an era of women's MMA but also solidified it. Amanda nunes as the greatest female fighter of all time.
Read More about: Anderson Silva, UFC, Vitor belfort, Wanderlei Silva
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