Carlos Leal
The Lion
Brazil
Rebounds with strong effort
Leal defeated Chidi Njokuani via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Houston.
ANALYSIS
In a battle of two guys that were finished in about a minute their last time out, both showed well. Leal started quickly, easily winning each of the first two rounds. He finally slowed a bit in Round 3, allowing Njokuani to win the frame on two of the three scorecards, but his good work early on ensured he would be winning the decision. A long-time PFL standout, Leal, now 31 years old, has alternated wins and losses in his four UFC fights. He has far more talent than the .500 record would lead you to believe. The power is clearly legitimate and if the durability holds up, Leal should continue to be a threat at 170 pounds for the foreseeable future.
In a battle of two guys that were finished in about a minute their last time out, both showed well. Leal started quickly, easily winning each of the first two rounds. He finally slowed a bit in Round 3, allowing Njokuani to win the frame on two of the three scorecards, but his good work early on ensured he would be winning the decision. A long-time PFL standout, Leal, now 31 years old, has alternated wins and losses in his four UFC fights. He has far more talent than the .500 record would lead you to believe. The power is clearly legitimate and if the durability holds up, Leal should continue to be a threat at 170 pounds for the foreseeable future.
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Set to fight Njokuani
Leal will fight Chidi Njokuani at UFC Houston on Feb. 21, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Leal will be aiming to redeem himself in February after losing his most recent fight against Muslim Salikhov in just 42 seconds. Leal will have to overcome a few hurdles to do so, however, as he'll be giving up six inches of reach to Njokuani, who has won three of his last four bouts.
Leal will be aiming to redeem himself in February after losing his most recent fight against Muslim Salikhov in just 42 seconds. Leal will have to overcome a few hurdles to do so, however, as he'll be giving up six inches of reach to Njokuani, who has won three of his last four bouts.
Lasts 42 seconds in Abu Dhabi
Leal lost to Muslim Salikhov via KO (punch) at 0:42 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Leal linked up with the UFC last October and had looked good in his first two fights with the company. As a result, he was a -500 favorite here against Salikhov and was promptly finished in just seconds. Leal had never been knocked out in his professional career entering the evening, but all it took was one huge right hand from Salikhov to close the show. A former PFL standout, Leal is going to have a difficult time overcoming this result moving forward.
Leal linked up with the UFC last October and had looked good in his first two fights with the company. As a result, he was a -500 favorite here against Salikhov and was promptly finished in just seconds. Leal had never been knocked out in his professional career entering the evening, but all it took was one huge right hand from Salikhov to close the show. A former PFL standout, Leal is going to have a difficult time overcoming this result moving forward.
Taking on Salikhov in July
Leal will fight Muslim Salikhov at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Leal will head into the fight looking to build positive momentum off his recent victory over Alex Moreno in March. The 5-foot-11 Brazilian will look to use a slight reach advantage to take out the older Russian fighter. With a prefect 11-0 record in KO/TKO finishes, Leal will undoubtedly be looking to end this one early, though he will have to remain wary of Salikhov's ample power as well (13-2 KO/TKO professional record).
Leal will head into the fight looking to build positive momentum off his recent victory over Alex Moreno in March. The 5-foot-11 Brazilian will look to use a slight reach advantage to take out the older Russian fighter. With a prefect 11-0 record in KO/TKO finishes, Leal will undoubtedly be looking to end this one early, though he will have to remain wary of Salikhov's ample power as well (13-2 KO/TKO professional record).
Cruises as biggest favorite on card
Leal defeated Alex Morono via TKO (punches) at 4:16 of Round 1 at UFC 313 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Many were shocked that Leal entered as a massive -750 favorite, largest on the entire card, but it proved to be nowhere near a high enough number. Leal simply pushed forward throughout the bout, winging bombs, and Morono had zero answers. The fact the fight lasted four-plus minutes is a testament to Morono's toughness. Leal has looked strong through two UFC appearances, but he's already 30 years old and had mixed results during an extended PFL run. His long-term ceiling remains an open question.
Many were shocked that Leal entered as a massive -750 favorite, largest on the entire card, but it proved to be nowhere near a high enough number. Leal simply pushed forward throughout the bout, winging bombs, and Morono had zero answers. The fact the fight lasted four-plus minutes is a testament to Morono's toughness. Leal has looked strong through two UFC appearances, but he's already 30 years old and had mixed results during an extended PFL run. His long-term ceiling remains an open question.
Set to fight Morono
Leal will fight Alex Morono at UFC 313 on March 8, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Leal's UFC debut ended in a controversial loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov in October, but he'll have another shot to earn his first win against Morono, who has dropped three of his last four bouts.
Leal's UFC debut ended in a controversial loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov in October, but he'll have another shot to earn his first win against Morono, who has dropped three of his last four bouts.