TUF 14 Finale Results: What We Learned from Diego Brandao

Fighters can put a tremendous degree of pressure on themselves in their choice of who and what they fight for; fighters like Brian Stann, who is closely associated with the brave men and women of the U.S. military, or Cain Velazquez who proudly fights on behalf of the Mexican people. 

Like these fighters, Diego Brandao was fighting for things greater than himself, something very immediate, very personal.  

Brandao fought fellow The Ultimate Fighter finalist Dennis Bermudez, for his mother’s new home with his family in the audience. How did Brandao deal with that pressure?

Brandao stalked the edge of the cage while Bruce Buffer made the introduction, his face slack, eyes burning.

Both men came out swinging, Bermudez, getting the better of Brandao in the early exchanges, and landing a knee while releasing a standing guillotine attempt. Brandao looked unfazed and retook the center bouncing lightly. 

Bermudez continued to have his way with Brandao, finding a home for the jab and cross throughout the second minute of the round. Bermudez was just starting to display some truly impressive foot work, testing Brandao from multiple angles with convincingly feinted shots. When Brandao caught Bermudez with a fully loaded overhand right, he dropped him immediately. 

Bermudez popped up quickly and recovered easily from the shot before launching another offensive at Brandao. 

The two circled and exchanged for awhile until Brandao landed a big flying knee with all his hopes and dreams behind it. Bermudez fell to his back and Brandao swarmed, but Bermudez pulled Brandao in close and outwrestled Brandao back to his feet only to be suplexed back to the canvas.  

Bermudez popped to his feet and dropped Brandao, landing some good ground and pound from the standing and top position. Then, with 15 seconds left in the round Diego Brandao reversed the position and rolled Bermudez into at deep armbar, from which the he tapped out at time minus nine seconds to the bell.

In addition to demonstrating the health and well being of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in mixed martial arts, Brandao teaches us to draw determination rather than fear from the responsibilities we bear, and to never stop looking for victory, to keep looking for the win even when being overwhelmed and struck repeatedly.