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PRAGUE, Czech Republic – On Saturday at the UFC on ESNP + 3, a patient, Thiago "Marreta" Santos, added a new brutal result to his long list with a third-round elimination of Jan Blachowicz.
What we have not seen is the fight that took place before the arrival of the light heavyweight pavilion at the O2 arena.
"I got hurt. Last week, I could barely walk, "Santos told reporters, including MMAjunkie, in his native tongue at a Portuguese press conference after the fight. "I spent the week treating my knee, going to the doctor, doing physiotherapy. Well, I decided to fight. I was able to recover it well. It always bothered me, always does. I'm going to do tests, but I think it's nothing serious. "
In addition, as Santos (21-6 MMA, 13-5 UFC) declared in the Brazilian Combat a few minutes ago, he had also had to deal with a disease in the days leading up to the fight. In fact, "Marreta" said that he was throwing up in his locker room before heading to meet Blachowicz (23-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in the ESPN + match.
If Santos still felt the effects of his health problems before the fight, it would not be in the cage. Although his usual aggression gave way to a more patient approach, the Brazilian explained that it was the product of his team's strategy – tailor-made for the more technical Blachowicz.
It worked, since the second UFC head for Santos also earned his third straight win in stoppage time and his third consecutive bonus after the fight. Santos is now tied with Anderson Silva and Anthony Johnson for the second highest number of victories in the promotion history (11), behind Vitor Belfort (12).
Active 35-year-old Santos now has one loss in his nine most recent bouts – with only one of eight victories being decisive. "Marreta" has also remained perfect since joining the light heavyweight division after sending Eryk Anders and Jimi Manuwa in less than three months.
Add to that Santos also has a victory over TKO against Anthony Smith, who is currently booked to have his own goal under the title of Jon Jones, and that the Brazilian striker has a very clear idea of the result.
"I am very happy," said Santos. "Now, I'm looking forward to it. And in front of me, I see only one title: there is no one else in front of me. I beat the fourth in the ranking (Blachowicz). The third (Smith) is fighting for the title now. I am next. "
Santos's reasoning makes sense, but much remains to be done in the UFC light heavyweight division. The first of them, of course, is the star of the UFC 235 between champion Jones (23-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) and Smith (31-13 MMA, 7-3 UFC) , which takes place in Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena next Saturday.
Santos, who plans to watch the title in person, think Jones is the favorite to win but "would not be surprised" if Smith managed to win. The Brazilian thinks that Smith has weapons to win and could very well end up doing it "if Jon Jones underestimates him".
A Smith win would mean a rematch of Santos's fight while both were still in average weight. If Jones is the winner, we are considering a new confrontation for Santos – against a man who participates in all the "most successful conversations of all time" in the MMA.
Every fight is a fight, said Santos, and he can not predict how one with Jones would end. However, there is one thing that remains unchanged, no matter who stands in front of Santos: he is going for the finish.
With Jones, he assures, it would not be different.
"Of course, I will not be the favorite," said Santos. "Of course, they'll think Jon Jones is going to beat me. And I will shock the world, as I did. I am here, in this position where I am, for a reason. I want my shot. I want my luck. I deserved it. I want my luck. Just give me the opportunity, and I will shock the world. "
And for full coverage of the UFC on ESPN + 3, see the UFC Events section of the site.
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