LAS VEGAS – Mairon Santos wanted to pinch himself to ensure he wasn’t dreaming.
Santos (14-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) cracked Kaan Ofli with a counter left hand within the second spherical of their featherweight Season 32 finale of “The Final Fighter,” befell on the principle card of UFC on ESPN 62 on the UFC Apex.
The punch related, and Ofli (11-3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) crashed face-forward into the canvas. However Santos didn’t cease punching.
“I used to be like, this will’t be actual,” Santos stated at a post-fight information convention. “The way in which that it was, like him going face-first, I used to be like, this will’t be actual. That’s why I stored punching him as a result of I didn’t consider it. Proper now, I’m nonetheless pondering that’s a dream, however on the identical time, I’m making an attempt to suppose, OK, that is it. You’re The Final Fighter and in the future you could be a champion. … It’s a dream come true.”
There was no dream. Santos is now a UFC fighter and have become one with a highlight-reel end in an unfamiliar style. Positive, Santos has completed opponents with strikes on the regional scene, however this one was totally different.
“I’m not used to knocking individuals out like that,” Santos stated. “I didn’t know that I had this energy. That’s why I stored punching him, as a result of it was unreal to me.”
Now that he’s achieved step one in his purpose of turning into a UFC champion, Santos can’t wait to get pleasure from some good meals earlier than making ready for his subsequent combat, which he hopes happens earlier than the tip of the yr since he and his spouse have a child on the best way.
Other than getting in his subsequent combat quickly, he doesn’t need to rush his development within the UFC.
“When I’ve to be within the high 15, it can occur naturally,” Santos stated. “I don’t need to power it. I do know I’ve an extended strategy to go. So, I simply need to combat earlier than the tip of the yr after which combat once more, combat once more. Prime 15, high 5, however with out dashing something.”
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