Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Curtis Blaydes kept things rolling last night (Sat., Jan 25, 2020) at UFC Fight Night 166 live on ESPN+ from inside PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., finishing former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos via second-round technical knockout (punches).
Dos Santos showed strong takedown defense in the early going as he created space to load up on a monstrous uppercut. Blaydes remained mobile and kept the former champion guessing with leg kicks, straight punches, and level changes. “Razor” even landed two big right hands toward the end of the first that certainly caught dos Santos’ attention.
Early pressure came from Blaydes in the second as he threw hands with confidence. Dos Santos hung in the pocket until catching a nasty right hand that stopped him in his tracks. Blaydes pounced on top for knees and punches until the referee stepped in for the standing stoppage.
Check out the huge shot that set up the finish above and some extra main event footage below, both courtesy of UFC/ESPN:
Chicago, MAKE SOME NOISE! #UFCRaleigh pic.twitter.com/EzDgMmHgy8
— UFC (@ufc) January 26, 2020
Queue the Rocky theme song #UFCRaleigh pic.twitter.com/Lc5R1yBClP
— UFC (@ufc) January 26, 2020
GET TO YOUR TV!
Heavyweights don’t need long #UFCRaleigh pic.twitter.com/DyW0mCpYza
— UFC (@ufc) January 26, 2020
RAZOR. BLAYDES. #UFCRaleigh pic.twitter.com/71vUfAvdIM
— UFC (@ufc) January 26, 2020
Who’s next!? #UFCRaleigh pic.twitter.com/sD1N32XrQe
— UFC (@ufc) January 26, 2020
For complete UFC Raleigh results and coverage click here.