Rafael Estevam
Macapa
Brazil
Dominated after weight miss
Estevam lost to Ethyn Ewing via TKO (strikes) at 1:44 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
The events of the past 36 hours could not have gone any worse for Estevam. It began with him missing weight by half a pound Friday morning. It continued through the fight on Saturday evening, with him completely no-showing and getting dominated by Ewing from bell-to-bell. The Brazilian is a one-dimensional grappler that is entirely reliant on his wrestling game for success. Well, he failed on all eight takedowns in this one, ensuring it would be a rout in Ewing's favor. Not all losses are created equal. And while this is the first setback of Estevam's professional career, it's one that may be difficult to overcome.
The events of the past 36 hours could not have gone any worse for Estevam. It began with him missing weight by half a pound Friday morning. It continued through the fight on Saturday evening, with him completely no-showing and getting dominated by Ewing from bell-to-bell. The Brazilian is a one-dimensional grappler that is entirely reliant on his wrestling game for success. Well, he failed on all eight takedowns in this one, ensuring it would be a rout in Ewing's favor. Not all losses are created equal. And while this is the first setback of Estevam's professional career, it's one that may be difficult to overcome.
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Misses weight, fight still on
Estevam will compete against Ethyn Ewing in a catchweight fight Saturday for UFC Vegas 115, according to MMA Junkie.
ANALYSIS
Estevem missing weight has been a theme in his UFC career, and the problem continued Friday. Once again, he will forfeit 20 percent of his purse, this time to a relatively recent promotion debutant in Ewing.
Estevem missing weight has been a theme in his UFC career, and the problem continued Friday. Once again, he will forfeit 20 percent of his purse, this time to a relatively recent promotion debutant in Ewing.
Taking on Ewing
Estevam will face Ethyn Ewing in a flyweight bout at UFC Vegas 115 on April 4, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Estevam will look to continue what's been a strong start to his UFC career, boasting a 3-0 record in the promotion thus far. He was forced to pull out of his most recently scheduled bout against Allan Nascimento on Nov. 1, but he'll get back into the Octagon in April against a fighter in Ewing who will fight in his second UFC bout.
Estevam will look to continue what's been a strong start to his UFC career, boasting a 3-0 record in the promotion thus far. He was forced to pull out of his most recently scheduled bout against Allan Nascimento on Nov. 1, but he'll get back into the Octagon in April against a fighter in Ewing who will fight in his second UFC bout.
Pulls out of fight
Estevam withdrew from his scheduled fight against Allan Nascimento at UFC Vegas 110 on Nov. 1, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
It's unclear why Estevam pulled out of the event, but he will now have to wait a bit longer for his next chance to extend his perfect record, which currently sits at 14-0 (3-0 in UFC). Cody Durden will step in as his replacement and fight Nascimento in November.
It's unclear why Estevam pulled out of the event, but he will now have to wait a bit longer for his next chance to extend his perfect record, which currently sits at 14-0 (3-0 in UFC). Cody Durden will step in as his replacement and fight Nascimento in November.
Putting undefeated record on the line
Estevam will take on Allan Nascimento in a flyweight matchup at UFC Vegas 110 on Nov. 1, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Estevam has won all three official UFC bouts, all via decision, since getting his original shot via Contender Series in 2022. He's likely dialing in on a spot in the rankings, but first he'll have to get through Nascimento, a fighter who is also on a three-fight winning streak. Estevam likely brings the wrestling advantage here, averaging over six takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time, while Nascimento defends the takedown at a sub-par 30 percent clip.
Estevam has won all three official UFC bouts, all via decision, since getting his original shot via Contender Series in 2022. He's likely dialing in on a spot in the rankings, but first he'll have to get through Nascimento, a fighter who is also on a three-fight winning streak. Estevam likely brings the wrestling advantage here, averaging over six takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time, while Nascimento defends the takedown at a sub-par 30 percent clip.
Wins after weight miss
Estevam defeated Felipe Bunes via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Vegas 108 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Estevam remained undefeated with his third consecutive victory, but this one gets a bit of an asterisk due to the fact he missed weight by a whopping four pounds Friday morning. The extra weight certainly might have played a role in his grappling success, as "Macapa" racked up five takedowns for 10:42 worth of control time (in what was a 15-minute fight). It's hard to argue with the results, but Estvam needs to get the weight-cutting issues under control before getting awarded with a higher-profile fight. Also hurting his case is that he isn't much of a striker, as the 33 significant strikes landed her was a three-fight high, despite all three going to the judges.
Estevam remained undefeated with his third consecutive victory, but this one gets a bit of an asterisk due to the fact he missed weight by a whopping four pounds Friday morning. The extra weight certainly might have played a role in his grappling success, as "Macapa" racked up five takedowns for 10:42 worth of control time (in what was a 15-minute fight). It's hard to argue with the results, but Estvam needs to get the weight-cutting issues under control before getting awarded with a higher-profile fight. Also hurting his case is that he isn't much of a striker, as the 33 significant strikes landed her was a three-fight high, despite all three going to the judges.