Carlos Leal
The Lion
Brazil
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).
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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.
Gets no help from judges in defeat
Leal lost to Rinat Fakhretdinov via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 27-30) at UFC 308 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
You can't help but feel for Leal. Finally making his UFC debut after a long run in the PFL, he clearly won this fight, only to have his victory ripped away by incompetent judging. Leal won the total strike battle by a 146-119 count, in addition to stuffing 17-of 19 Fakhretdinov takedown attempts. It's literally impossible to explain how one judge, let alone all three, went the other way. The good news for Leal is that he's still just 30 years of age and proved in this fight he can get the better of a quality opponent on the biggest stage. He'll be back.
You can't help but feel for Leal. Finally making his UFC debut after a long run in the PFL, he clearly won this fight, only to have his victory ripped away by incompetent judging. Leal won the total strike battle by a 146-119 count, in addition to stuffing 17-of 19 Fakhretdinov takedown attempts. It's literally impossible to explain how one judge, let alone all three, went the other way. The good news for Leal is that he's still just 30 years of age and proved in this fight he can get the better of a quality opponent on the biggest stage. He'll be back.
Set for UFC debut
Leal will fight Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Leal will get a chance to make his debut within the UFC after Nursulton Ruziboev (undisclosed) withdrew from his scheduled fight versus Fakhretdinov. The 30-year-old Neal owns a 21-5-0 record in his professional career and is currently enjoying a two-fight win streak that includes victories in UAE Warriors and LFA.
Leal will get a chance to make his debut within the UFC after Nursulton Ruziboev (undisclosed) withdrew from his scheduled fight versus Fakhretdinov. The 30-year-old Neal owns a 21-5-0 record in his professional career and is currently enjoying a two-fight win streak that includes victories in UAE Warriors and LFA.
Opens Bellator 190 with upset victory
Leal defeated Mihail Nica via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27) at Bellator 190 on Saturday in Florence, Italy.
ANALYSIS
Leal came into this fight as the underdog and greatly overperformed. He spent most of this fight dominating from the top position. The European fighter seemed to have no answers for the Brazilian from the bottom and mostly ate strikes. Leal had never previously fought outside of his native Brazil before signing with Bellator and taking this fight. He improves to 11-3 as a professional. He will be an interesting lightweight to monitor in Bellator going forward.
Leal came into this fight as the underdog and greatly overperformed. He spent most of this fight dominating from the top position. The European fighter seemed to have no answers for the Brazilian from the bottom and mostly ate strikes. Leal had never previously fought outside of his native Brazil before signing with Bellator and taking this fight. He improves to 11-3 as a professional. He will be an interesting lightweight to monitor in Bellator going forward.