The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4 - Episode Two Preview

The first episode of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4 kicked off with one of the most hellacious knockouts in the history of the show since Uriah Hall separated Adam Cella from consciousness back in season 17 of The Ultimate Fighter.

Bruno Mesquita made quite the first impression with his spinning heel kick knockout over Franklyn Santos, so the bar was set rather high for the rest of the competitors on the season. Luckily, the cast members for the new season were up for the challenge as six of the next seven fights ended by either TKO or submission to wrap up the first half of the elimination round matchups.

The final eight competitors to earn a slot on this new season of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4 will be determined on the next episode (airing on Monday on UFC FIGHT PASS) finalizing the  lightweight and bantamweight divisions before coaches Anderson Silva and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua select their teams.

The most common theme that runs throughout the history of The Ultimate Fighter, no matter the location or when it's taken place, are the competitors leaving someone they love behind so they are able to pursue a dream of landing a spot on the UFC roster.

This season is no different, especially for fighters like Matheus Mattos and Fernando Bruno, who both leave behind newborn babies.  Mattos is considered one of the top prospects on the series, with an 8-0 record coming out of Team Nogueira, where he works with several notable UFC fighters, including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira as well as submission specialist Rousimar Palhares and former Ultimate Fighter Brazil finalist Vitor Miranda.

Giovanni Santos returns to The Ultimate Fighter Brazil three seasons after his first attempt to make the show at 145 pounds.  He lost in his opening round matchup against John Teixeira, but the desire to return to the show and make the final cut was something he's always had in his mind since facing that disappointment three years ago. Santos is another name to watch with a 15-1 record overall, with a barrage of finishes coming by way of TKO and submission on his resume.  

A few more athletes to keep an eye on as the second episode of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4 continues its elimination round this week include Bruno Murata, who enters the competition after joining the fight game thanks to inspiration from his father, who was a professional Judo practitioner, as well as Leandro Higo, who is a high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who trains alongside Ultimate Fighter Brazil season one victor Rony Jason.

One of the best parts of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil every season are the stories the fighters carry with them into the house and this year is no different, especially the inspiration that brought Peter Montibeller to the show for season four.

Besides the fact that Montibeller is a great up and coming young talent with an undefeated 7-0 record, he's also fighting for something more than just a UFC contract.  Years ago when Montibeller was first starting out in MMA he was joined by his brother, who was also hoping to one day make it to the level of the UFC.

Unfortunately, Montibeller's brother lost his life in a tragic motorcycle accident and he was never able to live his dream to make it as a professional fighter or attempt a career in the UFC.  So Montibeller fights on with the spirit of his brother always beside him as he steps into the Octagon for a chance to make it on The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4, with a win likely to feel like a double victory as he honors his sibling.

If there was a theme to the first set of elimination round fights on last week's debut of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4, don't expect it to slow down one bit for the second round of bouts to determine the final eight competitors who will punch their tickets into the house.  The fights and finishes land in rapid-fire action this week as well, so don't blink!  

There's even one fight that will have UFC President Dana White on the edge of his seat as well, as two Ultimate Fighter hopefuls put on a show to try and make it into the house.

Once the elimination round bouts are compete and the final eight fighters have been determined, it then becomes time for team selections, as Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Anderson Silva divvy up the 16 fighters to see who they will try to coach to the championship this year.

As always, the coin toss determines the first pick and then it's a matter of who wins and what matters most in the strategy of putting your fighters into the finals - is it better to select the first fighter in the entire competition or choose the first fight?

Watch episode two of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4 this Monday on UFC FIGHT PASS to see the final eight elimination round fights, as well as the team selections and the announcement of the first fight of the season.