Yoel Romero punishes Thiago Santos’ lead leg en route to unanimous decision – PFL vs. Bellator Highlights

Yoel RomeroYoel Romero got back into the win column on Saturday night inside the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia…

Yoel Romero

Yoel Romero got back into the win column on Saturday night inside the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at PFL vs. Bellator: Champs

Representing Bellator MMA, the former UFC title challenger delivered a methodical performance against the always-dangerous Thiago Santos. Through three rounds of action, the ‘Soldier of God’ punished Santos’ lead leg which stifled Santos’ offense through most of the 15-minute affair.

Official Result: Yoel Romero def. Thiago Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Romero moved to 16-7 in his mixed martial arts career and earned his first win since a September 2022 meeting with Melvin Manhoef. Santos fell to 22-12 and has now lost five of his last six fights.

Check Out Highlights From Yoel Romero vs. Thiago Santos at PFL vs. Bellator:

Thiago Santos parts ways with the UFC, set to join PFL

Thiago SantosThiago Santos will no longer fight under the UFC banner after signing an exclusive deal with the PFL. The former UFC light heavyweight title challenger is coming off a hard-fought defeat to rising prospect Jamahal Hill in August. He hit a skid in his professional career that saw him drop five of his last six […]

Thiago Santos

Thiago Santos will no longer fight under the UFC banner after signing an exclusive deal with the PFL.

The former UFC light heavyweight title challenger is coming off a hard-fought defeat to rising prospect Jamahal Hill in August. He hit a skid in his professional career that saw him drop five of his last six bouts with a sole win coming over Johnny Walker.

Thiago Santos will leave the UFC after signing with the PFL

Brett Okamoto of ESPN reported the news on his Twitter account, confirming that Santos’ outing with Hill would be his final appearance under the banner.

“We are very excited to bring in Thiago Santos to the PFL light heavyweight division,” Sefo told ESPN. “He is known throughout the MMA world as a guy who delivers exciting fights, and I’m looking forward to seeing his elite knockout power up close.”

Having started his professional career in 2010, Santos made his way into the UFC in Aug. 2013 and delivered some thrilling performances over the years. He is the only fighter in the history of the promotion who came out on top of one judges’ scorecard against the former light heavyweight Jon Jones, who is widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time.

Thiago Santos did not look the same after the razor-thin loss to Jones and went on to get beat by Glover Teixeira, Aleksandar Rakic, and Magomed Ankalaev.

“It was an amicable separation with the UFC,” Santos’ manager Alex Davis told ESPN. “Thiago is very grateful for everything the UFC did for him, and he’s very grateful toward the PFL for signing with him. He’s looking forward to winning a million dollars.”

While a date or opponent for his PFL debut has not been announced, Santos will likely keep a close eye on the 2022 PFL finals in November, where grizzled veterans Robert Wilkinson and Omari Akhmedov will battle it out in the light heavyweight final.

Thiago Santos Signs With PFL Following Recent UFC Losing Skid

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos has become the latest UFC standout to make the move to the PFL. News of Santos’ UFC departure and signing with the PFL was first reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. “We are ver…

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos has become the latest UFC standout to make the move to the PFL. News of Santos’ UFC departure and signing with the PFL was first reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. “We are very excited to bring in Thiago Santos to the PFL light heavyweight division,” PFL President…

Continue Reading Thiago Santos Signs With PFL Following Recent UFC Losing Skid at MMA News.

Thiago Santos Wants Paulo Costa Fight At UFC 283 In Brazil

Thiago Santos and other Brazilian fighters have felt disrespected by Paulo Costa and Santos wants to be the one to make him pay. The former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Santos has lost five of his last six fights. He most recently suffered a …

Thiago Santos and other Brazilian fighters have felt disrespected by Paulo Costa and Santos wants to be the one to make him pay. The former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Santos has lost five of his last six fights. He most recently suffered a fourth-round TKO against Jamahal Hill earlier this month and it’s unclear…

Continue Reading Thiago Santos Wants Paulo Costa Fight At UFC 283 In Brazil at MMA News.

Thiago Santos Releases Positive Statement Following Hill Loss

Thiago Santos has released some hopeful words following his UFC Vegas 59 bout. On Saturday night a pair of ranked UFC light heavyweights headlines an ESPN+ event. The streaking Jamahal Hill defeated Thiago Santos in the main event by fourth-round TKO. …

Thiago Santos has released some hopeful words following his UFC Vegas 59 bout. On Saturday night a pair of ranked UFC light heavyweights headlines an ESPN+ event. The streaking Jamahal Hill defeated Thiago Santos in the main event by fourth-round TKO. The loss was the second in a row for Santos, but the 38-year-old Brazilian…

Continue Reading Thiago Santos Releases Positive Statement Following Hill Loss at MMA News.