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“The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2” Welterweight Final

Leonardo Santos (11-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. William Macario (6-0, 0-0 UFC)

The Matchup: The second, less celebrated iteration of “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” matches experience against potential, as the 33-year-old Santos squares off with the 21-year-old Macario.

Santos suffered a decision loss to Santiago Ponzinibbio in the reality show’s semifinals, but “El Rasta” broke his hand and was unable to compete in the final. Prior to facing Ponzinibbio, Santos advanced through the bracket by beating Pedro Irie and Thiago Santos. Macario, meanwhile, captured a decision victory over Thiago Santos and knockout triumphs over Tiago Alves and Viscardi Andrade to earn a spot opposite Santos in the final.

The brother of World Extreme Cagefighting veteran Wagnney Fabiano, Santos is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with seven career submission victories to his credit. Most recently, Santos submitted two-time UFC competitor Mark Holst with an arm-triangle choke 1:15 into the opening frame at Cage Warriors Fighting Championship “Fight Night 7” in September. The Nova Uniao product is a seasoned fighter: he began his professional tenure with a bout against Takanori Gomi under the Shooto banner in 2002 and has also fought for the Sengoku and British Association of Mixed Martial Arts promotions.

Once considered to be the best lightweight grappler in the world, Santos has won multiple world championships in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and once famously submitted Georges St. Pierre with a flying armbar at the Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships in 2005. Santos is competent enough on the feet, as he can use leg kicks to control distance and straight punches to set up takedown opportunities. On the mat, however, is where he does his best work, constantly looking to pass guard and advance position while attacking with moderate spurts of ground-and-pound.

With six finishes in six professional appearances -- including five inside of a round -- Macario has yet to be seriously tested in his budding career. However, it is worth noting that only one of “Patolino’s” opponents prior to “The Ultimate Fighter” had a winning record, so give Santos the edge in terms of quality competition.

Macario prefers to stalk his opponents, moving forward while landing power punches and knees in the clinch. The young fighter is adept at muscling foes to the canvas once he closes the distance, and on the mat, he has very heavy hands from above. Macario also is capable of exploding out of bad positions, but in doing so he could leave himself vulnerable against someone with as good of a ground game as Santos.

The Pick: Both fighters have plenty of quick finishes to their credit, but Santos has more experience going into the deep waters of a fight. Look for him to survive Macario’s initial assault and win via decision or late submission.

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