Title shot next? It wasn’t an electrifying main event, but light-heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev took Thiago Santos’ best strikes – R2 knockdown included – and weathered the Brazilian’s storm over 25 minutes. Prior, featherweight Sodiq Yusuff (#12) returned to winning ways, while bantamweight contender Song Yadong (#14) blasted Marlon Moraes (#10) in the co-main event.
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Tag: Thiago Santos
UFC Vegas 50: Thiago Santos, Magomed Ankalaev excited before LHW title eliminator
Since a last-second submission defeat vs. Paul Craig on his UFC debut four years ago this month, Dagestani light-heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev (16-1, 9 KOs) has justified the high hopes for his progression with six consecutive victories. Now, he faces former title challenger Thiago Santos tonight, targeting another scalp in his first main event opportunity. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 38: Santos outlasts Walker in five-round clash, calls out Prochazka
It wasn’t a vintage performance, but former light-heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos produced a vitally important decision win (48-47 x 3) over Johnny Walker in the main event on the final fight of his existing contract. Afterwards, he called out Jiri Prochazka (#2) – who is the alternate for this month’s championship fight between Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira.
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UFC Vegas 38: Thiago Santos finally feels 100% again after injury-plagued losing run
After fighting through injuries but ultimately losing a split decision to Jon Jones for UFC light-heavyweight gold two summers ago, Thiago Santos stressed he’ll be better than his more recent outings – successive defeats – when facing Brazilian compatriot Johnny Walker tonight. Continue reading
UFC 266: Jan Blachowicz to defend his LHW title vs. Glover Teixeira on September 4
After making championship weight as a back-up fighter for last month’s UFC 259 pay-per-view, Glover Teixeira has been granted a second opportunity to become light-heavyweight champion: seven years after his unsuccessful challenge against Jon Jones in April 2014. It’ll also be Jan Blachowicz’s second title defence, having ended Israel Adesanya’s unbeaten streak on March 6. Continue reading
UFC 259: Blachowicz, Nunes win big after controversial bantamweight title finish
Jan Blachowicz defended his light-heavyweight strap for the first time with a UD win after a closely-fought duel against middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, following Amanda Nunes’ ruthless decimation of her latest featherweight challenger in Megan Anderson. Prior to that, bantamweight Petr Yan’s R4 illegal knee on Aljamain Sterling saw the Russian lose his title.
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Caution up ahead: Why Jan Blachowicz presents Israel Adesanya’s biggest test yet
After blasting uncrowned champion Dominick Reyes to bits in September, Jan Blachowicz (27-8 MMA, 10-5 UFC) makes the first defence of his light-heavyweight strap against an undefeated middleweight star in Israel Adesanya – going up a weight class and looking to make his own history this weekend. An underdog perhaps, Jan offers Izzy’s most dangerous challenge yet. Continue reading
UFC 259: Nunes-Anderson featherweight title fight rebooked to headline March 6 card
Originally scheduled to take place at UFC 256 this past month, Amanda Nunes will defend her featherweight strap vs. Megan Anderson as the main event at UFC 259 on March 6 next year. Barring cancellations, the card is expected to also feature two-time bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and light-heavyweight contender Aleksandar Rakic (#4), among others. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 13: Glover Teixeira recovers to beat Thiago Santos, new #1 LHW contender
Glover Teixeira (#3) survived two knockdowns to earn a big win over compatriot, #1 light-heavyweight contender Thiago Santos in a back-and-forth main event. Beforehand, there were impressive victories for Giga Chikadze and Raoni Barcelos among others, while strawweight Yan Xiaonan (#8) proved her mettle with a disciplined showing against Claudia Gadelha (#4). Continue reading
UFC: Jon Jones reveals ‘strong possibility’ he’ll move up to heavyweight in 2020
UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones has this weekend revealed a move up into the heavyweight division could happen sooner than expected – possibly as early as after his upcoming title defence. He faces #4 ranked Dominick Reyes on February 8 at UFC 247 and is targeting a step-up after that. Continue reading
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