Anthony Smith showed the heart of a lion, but it was Thiago Santos getting the job done in a wild brawl at UFC Belem on Saturday night.
Kicking off the main card on Saturday at UFC Belem, middleweights Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith looked to put on a war. Both men entered the night on three fight win streaks. Impressively, both men finished each and every one of the fights in their respective streaks by knockout. In all likelihood, someone was going to sleep when the pair met at UFC Fight Night 125 on Saturday.
After an initial exchange of kicks, Smith was able to attack off a Santos slip early, and we were underway! Moments later, a hugh spinning kick connected on the chin of Smith! Santos went in and and followed up with a head kick, but it was Smith coming out on top in the scramble that followed. Santos would eventually reverse, and work from within Smith’s closed guard. In close quarters against the fence, he worked the body with some heavy punches.
Back on the feet, Smith chased Santos, landing an elbow only to eat a big right for his efforts. Smith was rocked! Santos was bleeding! Santos added some short punches while Smith was down. Smith ate a knee on the way up! Santos, pressuring, forced him back down. He worked the body, tried to take the back, but Smith survived the round.
Round two saw Santos land a body kick early, and almost in slow motion, Smith fell backwards. Santos rushed in for the finish, but somehow, Smith held on! Literally, Smith grabbed on to Santos’ leg, but after eating punch after punch, the ref waved it off!
The win marked four straight knockouts in a row for Thiago Santos, who asked for a top 5 contender following the fight.
Thiago Santos def. Anthony Smith by TKO, Round 2, 1:03
