L. Santos (photo) scores a brutal knockout at UFC Stockholm. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @leosantosjj
Leo Santos He was away from the Octagon for 32 months, but the 39-year-old Brazilian showed that he can still do a lot of work in the UFC's lightweight division. The Nova União black belt, even though his main weapon was his ground game, needed just 2m17s to brutally knock out Stevie Ray. The duel was an attraction on the preliminary card of UFC Stockholm, held this Saturday (01), in Sweden.
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In addition to Léo, Brazil had another representative on the UFC Stockholm card. Duda Cowboyzinha debuted in the octagon, but ended up submitted by Bea Malecki
Leo Santos beats Stevie Ray with brutal knockout
Without fighting since October 2016, Leo Santos showed that he didn't feel the lack of rhythm. In the duel against Stevie Ray, the Brazilian made use of his greater wingspan and worked from medium distance with kicks from the waistline. In turn, the Scot waited for the best moment to shorten and connect with his left.
In the first attack, Ray tried a high kick, Léo ducked and he fell on his back to the ground. The Scot even got up quickly so as not to risk falling to the ground with Santos. But then, in a new attack, he was caught. Stevie shortened and released the left, but Léo dodged and connected with a precise counterattack, on his rival's chin, who was already knocked out with open arms.
Léo left the Octagon and even left the arena, running and celebrating his victory.
“After almost three years, I'm back. It's tough being away for so long. There were a lot of injuries, mine and my opponents. I thank my team and my family for their support. I always look for the ground game, I'm from the best ground team in the world, Nova União, but I always try to be complete. I want to fight more, don't keep me waiting. After three years I'm still the same. The time has come to face a top 10. Sean Shelby and Dana White, I've been out of action for three years, how about a bonus”, asked the Brazilian after the fight.
Duda starts well, but is finished by Malecki
Duda entered the Octagon dancing samba for his Octagon debut. The fighter from Cidade de Deus even started the fight well against the Swedish player Bea Malecki. The Brazilian equalized the contest in the exchange of blows and managed three takedowns on her rival, keeping the hostess on the ground for a good part of the session. Despite not being able to strike on the ground or come close to finishing, Duda kept her rival on the ground for a long time and opened up an advantage on the judges' scorecards.
Cowboyzinha tried to follow the same strategy in the second round. She pressed Malecki against the bars and attacked with a takedown, but she entered too much with her hips and in the counterattack she fell underneath. The Swede attacked with some punches from above and the Brazilian turned her back. Afterwards, the hostess attacked the rear naked choke on two occasions, always with good defense from the Tupiniquim athlete. However, in the third attack, Malecki applied the choke and forced Duda to give up.
UFC Stockholm results
Welterweight: Sergey Khandozhko defeated Rostem Akman via unanimous decision (29-28 29-28 29-28)
Bantamweight: Lina Lansberg defeated Tonya Evinger via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-26)
Lightweight: Leo Santos defeated Stevie Ray by knockout at 2m17s of R1
Lightweight: Frank Camacho defeated Nick Hein via TKO at 4:55 of R2
Bantamweight: Bea Malecki finished Duda Cowboyzinha with a rear naked choke at 1m59s of R2
Light Heavyweight: Devin Clark defeated Darko Stosic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Joel alvarez beat Danilo Belluardo by technical knockout at 2m22s of R2
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