Fabio Maldonado has proven over the years that he’ll take a punch, or two, or three, just to get the right opportunity to deliver a few of his own.
Saturday night was no exception. The Brazilian light heavyweight patiently waited out Hans Stringer, then turned it on in the second round.
Maldonado awoke the Rio de Janeiro crowd and scored at TKO at 4:06 of round two.
Stringer (22-6), a Netherlands-based fighter, controlled the first round and well into the second with takedowns and work from top position.
In the second, though, Maldonado reversed position, and it didn’t take long for the former pro boxer to start laying some heavy hands on Stringer. Maldonado (22-7) battered Stringer with body shots and shots to the head. Stringer, looking like he wanted no part of it, covered up until referee Marc Goddard stopped it.
Maldonado was greeted in victory by Team Nogueira teammate Anderson Silva, was watching the fight in the front row.
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“It was great to see Anderson,” Maldonado said. “It is good to see he is doing well.”
Though Maldonado lost at heavyweight to Stipe Miocic in his last fight, he’s won his past four at 205, his regular weight class.
“I am never leaving this Octagon again, never getting knocked out, never tapping out,” he said.