The meeting between two former UFC champions stole the show backstage at the Netflix MMA event, held last Saturday (16), in California (USA). Before facing Robelis Despaigne in the opening of the main card, Junior Cigano received a visit from Anderson Silva in the locker room and starred in a relaxed moment alongside his team.
In a video released by Netflix Sports' Instagram profile, Anderson appeared at Cigano's training location and was greeted with playful banter by the former UFC heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg). Upon seeing 'Spider', the Santa Catarina native reacted in English and then switched to Portuguese while hugging his friend and even lifting him into the air during the greeting.
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"Look at this big guy... oh my God. Hey, big guy," Cigano joked as he greeted Anderson Silva in the locker room.
Cigano also complimented Anderson's perfume and asked how the former UFC middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg) was doing. 'Spider' also greeted coach Luciano 'Macarrão', who was at the mitts, as well as Antônio ' Cara de Sapato ', champion of TUF Brazil 3 and winner of the PFL light heavyweight tournament (up to 93 kg) in 2021. In a lighthearted atmosphere, the São Paulo native wished his friend good luck before the fight.
"Go for it, like that. I wanted to joke around too, but they said old men can't," Anderson Silva teased.
The statement drew laughter from Cigano's team, who then joined in the joke. Master 'Macarrão' and Junior himself started talking to 'Spider' about his age, while the heavyweight responded in a relaxed tone before the video ended.
"Wow, now everyone's just calling me old," Junior Cigano replied , laughing.
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How was the fight between Junior Cigano and Robelis Despaigne at the Netflix MMA event?
Junior Cigano and Robelis Despaigne in combat at the Netflix MMA event. Photo: Reproduction/X
In the opening bout of the main card of the Netflix MMA event, Robelis Despaigne dominated Junior Cigano, winning by knockout in the first round of their heavyweight fight . The reigning Karate Combat champion, the Cuban fighter started by applying pressure from the opening seconds, landing powerful strikes and controlling the distance with kicks and quick combinations of punches.
Cigano tried to respond with low kicks and straight punches, but struggled to contain his opponent's pace. As the round progressed, Despaigne increased the pressure even more and began landing clean strikes to the Brazilian's head. In one of these attacks, the Cuban landed a jab followed by a right cross and a left hook to Cigano's chin, taking the former UFC champion to the ground.
The referee stopped the fight after the sequence, declaring Robelis Despaigne the winner by technical knockout in the first round. With this result, the Cuban reached six wins and two losses in professional MMA, while Cigano now has 23 wins and 11 losses in his career.
MMA results on Netflix
MAIN CARD
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Ronda Rousey defeated Gina Carano by submission at 4:43 of Round 1.
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Mike Perry defeated Nate Diaz by technical knockout at the end of round 2.
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Francis Ngannou defeated Philipe Lins by knockout at 4:31 of round 1.
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Salahdine Parnasse defeated Kenneth Cross by knockout at 4:18 of round 1.
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Robelis Despaigne defeated Junior Cigano by knockout at 2:02 of round 1.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Namo Fazil defeated Jake Babian by submission at 4:02 of round 2.
Catchweight (58,9 kg): Adriano Moraes defeated Phumi Nkuta by submission at 4:59 of Round 3.
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Jason Jackson defeated Jefferson Creighton by knockout 20 seconds into round 1.
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): David Mgoyan defeated Albert Morales by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27).
Catchweight (58,9 kg): Aline Pereira defeated Jade Masson-Wong by split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
Catchweight (74,8 kg): Brandon Jenkins defeated Chris Avila via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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