Surprises and Disappointments is a column featured on MMAOddsbreaker.com after every UFC event, highlighting three fighters who had surprising performances and three fighters who disappointed. Here are the three surprises and the three disappointments from the TUF Brazil 3 Finale Surprises Warlley Alves — In the finals of the TUF Brazil 3 middleweight tournament, Warlley Alves defeated Marcio Alexandre Junior via third-round guillotine in a star-making performance. It was a sensational UFC debut for the Brazilian, who I believe could be a big star for the UFC down south. For his next fight, he says he’s dropping down to 170lbs, and at that weight class I believe he could be a future title contender. Robbie Peralta — In the opening main card bout, Robbie Peralta defeated Rony Jason via split decision in a close fight. Although some scored it for Jason, I believe Peralta did enough to win as the underdog and he continues to fly under the radar at 145lbs. For his next fight, I’d like to see him take on Diego Brandao in a ballet of violence. Mark Eddiva — In a featherweight bout that won FOTN, Mark Eddiva showed a ton of heart and some surprising striking skills in losing via second-round TKO to Kevin Souza in a barnburner. This was an excellent fight and Eddiva showed he can stick around the UFC as he hurt Souza with leg kicks and even had a takedown in the fight. For his next bout, look for Eddiva to fight a low-ranked featherweight fighter like Aaron Phillips. Disappointments Fabio Maldonado — In the main event of the evening, Fabio Maldonado suffered his first T/KO loss via strikes as Stipe Miocic crushed him in just 35 seconds. Maldonado moved up to heavyweight for this fight, but still, he looked awful and it’s possible at this point his once-iron chin is completely shot after all the years of abuse its taken. For his next fight, look for Maldonado to drop back down to 205lbs and fight someone like Jimi Manuwa. Rodrigo Damm — In a lightweight bout, Rodrigo Damm lost a decision to Rashid Magomedov. Damm really didn’t seem like he cared at all, and only turned things up late in the third round once the fight was out of reach. He won’t be cut, but the loss drops him down the ladder, and I expect him to fight a no-name lightweight in his next bout. Paulo Thiago — In one of the prelims, Paulo Thiago dropped a clear-cut unanimous decision to Gasan Umalatov in a performance that demonstrated he’s not a UFC-caliber fighter anymore. Thiago has now lost two-straight and six of his last eight bouts and at this point I don’t see how the UFC could keep him. Look for Thiago to call it quits and take a job with UFC Brazil.
