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Thiago Santos scored a well-deserved victory in the main event at UFC Vegas 38, although that probably wasn’t the statement he was hoping to make.
Over the course of five rounds, Santos managed to land the best shots against Johnny Walker, who spent most of the fight setting up feints but without actually triggering any combinations. While land shots were rare, Santos connected with a few hard kicks to the body and legs as well as the only real punches, which helped secure him the victory.
At the end of the fight, the judges all scored it 48-47 for Santos, who returns to the winning column after losing his last three consecutive fights.
“I fight every day to be here. I won’t stop, ”Santos said afterwards. “It was super difficult to train for him. He is unpredictable. I trained so hard. I understand, I try to do my best. I try to knock him out. He is tall but he moves fast.
Santos and Walker were reluctant to engage too much in strikes, knowing that any mistake could result in a highlights knockout, as both possess serious end-of-fight power. With time running out in the first round, Santos got a bit more aggressive, but neither of the two fighters was really willing to commit much.
The patience Walker showed with kicking the outside legs and staying out of range frustrated Santos, who was reluctant to really let go of his hands. Santos eventually found an opening with a pair of blistering body kicks that smashed into Walker’s midsection with a sickening thud reverberating through UFC APEX.
While Walker was still moving away from the outside with a few quick kicks and a right block that managed to find a home, Santos was always more offensive. Taking the center of the octagon, Santos was able to unleash his powerful shots without getting hit with much in return.
The majority of rallies were traded one hit at a time with Walker throwing a kick and Santos countering with a punch but no combination coming from either fighter. Walker managed to get a bit more active as time went on in the fourth round, but overall the trades were still even.
A close fight going into the final five minutes, Santos connected with arguably the best strike of the fight after unleashing a monstrous left counterhand that crushed Walker as he stepped into the punch at the same time. While Walker was able to eat the punch and get out of trouble, the impact of the punch was undeniable.
Not much happened beyond that punch in the fifth round, but Santos was still efficient enough to put himself in position for the victory.
After falling in three straight fights, Santos needed a win more than anything else and now it looks like he will be entering contract negotiations with the UFC as he looks to resume promotion.
“Hey Dana [White], Mick [Maynard], let’s renew my contract, ”Santos said. “This is my last fight and please give me some more money.”
As Santos celebrates his victory, Walker will return home with a third loss in his last four fights as the promising light heavyweight prospect continues to seek that signing performance to move him forward in the division.
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