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Remains unbeaten in UFC
Santos defeated Roman Bogatov via unanimous decision (29-26, 29-26, 29-26) at UFC 251 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Santos didn't win so much as survive. It started off well for the Brazilian. He appeared to be cruising to a unanimous decision in the later stages of Round 2 when things nearly fell apart. Santos smashed Bogatov with multiple massive shots but was unable to get the finish and emptied his gas tank in the process. Santos was in rough shape throughout Round 3, and that was before Bogatov crushed him with a pair of low blows and an illegal knee. Referee Marc Goddard (correctly) docked Bogatov two points for the knee strike and Santos was home free from there. Santos has been with the UFC for more than seven years but has fought just eight times during that span. He's undefeated (7-0-1) with the company, but Santos turned 40 years old this past February, and time is clearly not on his side. The UFC should considering pushing Santos against a quality opponent his next time out. There's nothing to lose at this point.
Santos didn't win so much as survive. It started off well for the Brazilian. He appeared to be cruising to a unanimous decision in the later stages of Round 2 when things nearly fell apart. Santos smashed Bogatov with multiple massive shots but was unable to get the finish and emptied his gas tank in the process. Santos was in rough shape throughout Round 3, and that was before Bogatov crushed him with a pair of low blows and an illegal knee. Referee Marc Goddard (correctly) docked Bogatov two points for the knee strike and Santos was home free from there. Santos has been with the UFC for more than seven years but has fought just eight times during that span. He's undefeated (7-0-1) with the company, but Santos turned 40 years old this past February, and time is clearly not on his side. The UFC should considering pushing Santos against a quality opponent his next time out. There's nothing to lose at this point.
To fight Roman Bogatov at UFC 251
Santos (ribs) will fight against Roman Bogatov in Abu Dhabi at UFC 251, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Santos is 17-3 as a professional, with his most recent fight being a victory over Steven Ray at UFC Fight Night 153 during June of last year. Of Santos' 17 wins, nine of them have been by submission, four have been by decision, three have been by KO/TKO and one has been classified as "other". Bogatov is 10-0 as a pro, with his most recent victory occurring August of last year against Mickael Lebout at M-1 Challenge 104. Five of his victories have been by submission, three by decision, one by KO/TKO and one other.
Santos is 17-3 as a professional, with his most recent fight being a victory over Steven Ray at UFC Fight Night 153 during June of last year. Of Santos' 17 wins, nine of them have been by submission, four have been by decision, three have been by KO/TKO and one has been classified as "other". Bogatov is 10-0 as a pro, with his most recent victory occurring August of last year against Mickael Lebout at M-1 Challenge 104. Five of his victories have been by submission, three by decision, one by KO/TKO and one other.
Cleared to train
Santos (ribs) was cleared to train and is targeting a return in early 2020, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Santos revealed that he was sidelined for a month as a result of a rib injury sustained in his win over Stevie Ray via KO (punch) at UFC Stockholm in June. However, the 39-year-old says that he is now fully healthy and hopes to return to the Octagon in early 2020. His win at UFC Stockholm marked the first time he fought since October of 2016, but he showed that he can still be dominant against Ray. Santos carries a 17-3-1 record over his professional career.
Santos revealed that he was sidelined for a month as a result of a rib injury sustained in his win over Stevie Ray via KO (punch) at UFC Stockholm in June. However, the 39-year-old says that he is now fully healthy and hopes to return to the Octagon in early 2020. His win at UFC Stockholm marked the first time he fought since October of 2016, but he showed that he can still be dominant against Ray. Santos carries a 17-3-1 record over his professional career.
Drops jaws with one-shot knockout
Santos defeated Stevie Ray via KO (punch) at 2:17 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night 153 in Stockholm, Sweden on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Santos was holding range with kicks to the body early in Round 1, which may have left Ray desperate to get inside on his longer opponent. It only took one instance of Ray overextending on a punch for Santos to slide back and land a thunderous counter that crumpled the Scottish fighter in the middle of the cage. Santos was coming off a three-year layoff since getting a split-decision victory against Adriano Martins in 2016 but announced his return with authority Saturday. He improves to 17-3-1 in professional MMA as a result of the victory.
Santos was holding range with kicks to the body early in Round 1, which may have left Ray desperate to get inside on his longer opponent. It only took one instance of Ray overextending on a punch for Santos to slide back and land a thunderous counter that crumpled the Scottish fighter in the middle of the cage. Santos was coming off a three-year layoff since getting a split-decision victory against Adriano Martins in 2016 but announced his return with authority Saturday. He improves to 17-3-1 in professional MMA as a result of the victory.
Making return at UFC Stockholm
Santos (hand) has been booked to take on Stevie Ray in a lightweight bout at UFC Stockholm on June 1.
ANALYSIS
It has been nearly two and a half years since Santos stepped in the Octagon, as he last defeated Adriano Martins via split decision at UFC 204 in October of 2016. Now, after an attempt to make his return at UFC Utica last June was derailed by a hand injury, Santos, at 39 years old, will make his return. It is worth noting that Santos is still riding a streak of 11 straight bouts without a loss, as the last time he was defeated was all the way back in 2009.
It has been nearly two and a half years since Santos stepped in the Octagon, as he last defeated Adriano Martins via split decision at UFC 204 in October of 2016. Now, after an attempt to make his return at UFC Utica last June was derailed by a hand injury, Santos, at 39 years old, will make his return. It is worth noting that Santos is still riding a streak of 11 straight bouts without a loss, as the last time he was defeated was all the way back in 2009.