Petrino knocks out Petersen at UFC Rio: where to watch the full event live Por Luís Henrique Costa
4 min de leitura
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Brazilian heavyweight fighter Vitor Petrino defeated Thomas Petersen by knockout in the third round during the UFC Fight Night held at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday (11). The main event, featuring Charles Oliveira against Mateusz Gamrot, drew thousands of fans, with Petrino’s fight taking place in the prelims, showcasing his adaptation to the new weight class.
Petrino, 27, improved his record to 2-0 in the heavyweight division with the win. Petersen, a 32-year-old American, fell to 2-3 in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The live broadcast of UFC Rio was available through exclusive platforms in Brazil. The prelims started at 5 PM (Brasília time), and the main card at 8 PM.
- UFC Fight Pass: Official service with full event access.
- ESPN+: International platform for high-definition streaming.
- ESPN channels: Option for cable TV viewers.
Petrino’s recent trajectory
Petrino began his UFC career in the light heavyweight division, where he secured notable victories. Two consecutive losses prompted his move to heavyweight in July this year.
In his debut in the division, he finished Austen Lane in the first round in Nashville. That performance highlighted his strength and improved physical conditioning without extreme weight cuts.
Now, with the knockout over Petersen, Petrino shows progress in his striking. Experts note his focus on quick transitions between clinch and striking.
Details of the fight against Petersen
The bout started with Petrino pressing Petersen against the fence within seconds. The American attempted a single-leg takedown, but the Brazilian maintained balance and responded with knees to the thighs.
In the second round, Petrino pursued a takedown and controlled Petersen on the ground briefly. Petersen recovered and ended the round standing, exchanging open strikes.
Decisive finish in the third round
The turning point came less than a minute into the third round. Petersen lowered his head in defense, and Petrino landed an uppercut followed by a left hook. The blows knocked Petersen face-first to the octagon floor.
The referee stopped the fight immediately, declaring a technical knockout. Petrino celebrated with the local crowd, reinforcing his connection to Rio de Janeiro, where he trains regularly.
Petersen received medical attention on-site and left with no apparent serious injuries. The win propels Petrino toward higher-ranked opponents in the division.
Petersen’s UFC history
Thomas Petersen joined the UFC in 2022 with an undefeated record initially. His first win came by unanimous decision against a promotion veteran.
He then suffered a submission loss but bounced back with a victory over Don’Tale Mayes in May. That streak positioned him as a solid test for newcomers in the heavyweight division.
The Rio fight marked his third international appearance. Analysts suggest his defense against direct punches needs improvement after the loss.
Broadcast options for Brazilian fans
UFC Rio was exclusively streamed on UFC Fight Pass, with Portuguese narration. The platform offers replays and post-fight analysis.
For traditional TV viewers, ESPN channels aired the main card. The service costs from R$49.90 monthly in Brazil.
Full card and event highlights
The UFC Fight Night in Rio de Janeiro featured 13 bouts, with most athletes being Brazilian. Oliveira defeated Gamrot by decision in a balanced five-round fight.
Other results included wins by Deiveson Figueiredo and Vicente Luque. The event drew around 15,000 spectators to Farmasi Arena.
- Prelims: Started with flyweight and bantamweight bouts.
- Main attractions: Focused on striking and varied grappling.
- Total duration: Approximately four hours of broadcast.
Petrino expressed gratitude to fans in a post-fight interview. He now aims for a top-15 opponent in his next outing.
