Thiago Santos (19-6-0) used extensive striking to stop Eryk Anders (11-2-0) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 137 Saturday evening in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
With Anders taking the fight on a week’s notice, Santos got the better of the exchanges on the feet for the most part, with Anders trying to get the fight to the ground with takedowns. But Anders could not do much and Santos even inflicted some good damage on the ground, forcing Anders to backtrack and reset. But Santos started to tire in the third round, allowing Anders to look for openings on the ground.
Ultimately, the fight ended when Santos used a half-guard position to pepper Anders with good shots sent him stumbling to the corner after the third round horn sounded. After collapsing twice, referee Marc Goddard halted the bout.
Santos and Anders earned Fight of the Night, while Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Charles Oliveira earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
💰 B O N U S E S 💰
FOTN: @TMarretaMMA vs @ErykAnders
POTN: @CharlesDoBronxs & @MinotouroMMA #UFCSP pic.twitter.com/QmOH0yeuMl
— UFC (@ufc) September 23, 2018
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
LIVIA RENATA SOUZA DEF. ALEX CHAMBERS VIA SUBMISSION (GUILLOTINE) R1 1:21
ELIZEU ZALEKI DOS SANTOS DEF. LUIGI VRNDRAMINI VIA TKO (FLYING KNEE AND PUNCHES) R2 1:20
THALES LEITES DEF. HECTOR LOMBARD VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
MAYRA BUENO SILVA DEF. GILLIAN ROBERTSON VIA SUBMISSION (FLYING ARMBAR) R1 4:55
SERGIO MORAES DEF. BEN SAUNDERS VIA SUBMISSION (ARM-TRIANGLE CHOKE) R2 4:42
AUGUSTO SAKAI DEF. CHASE SHERMAN VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R3 4:03
RYAN SPANN DEF. LUI HENRIQUE VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
FRANCISCO TRINALDO DEF. EVAN DUNN VIA TKO (KNEE) R2 4:10
CHARLES OLIVEIRA DEF. CHRISTOS GIAGOS VIA SUBMISSION (REAR-NAKED CHOKE) R2 3:22
TSN 5 MAIN CARD
#13 RANDA MARKOS VS. MARIANA RODRIGUEZ
Agree? #UFCSP pic.twitter.com/9pmYMhSlZ6
— UFC (@ufc) September 23, 2018
WINNER: MAJORITY DRAW (29-28, 28-28, 28-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MARIANA RODRIGUEZ VIA UD
Andrews: The grappling of Markos and the tenacity of Rodriguez was on display. Good fight.
RENAN BARAO VS. ANDRE EWELLÂ
Left hand after left hand for @Daii24_Dre stuns Barao! #UFCSP pic.twitter.com/e66JhDRUQS
— UFC (@ufc) September 23, 2018
WINNER: ANDRE EWELL VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: RENAN BARAO VIA TKO
Andrews: Barao had the advantage of missing weight, but Ewell’s quickness helped him outwork Barao. A good win for the American.
SAM ALVEY VS. ANTONIO ROGERIO NOGUEIRA
LITTLE NOG DOES IT!!@MinotouroMMA still got it at 42!! #UFCSP pic.twitter.com/jZqsTSc6DP
— UFC (@ufc) September 23, 2018
WINNER: ANTONIO ROGERIO NOGUEIRA VIA TKO (STRIKES) R2 1:00
ANDREWS PREDICTION: SAM ALVEY VIA TKO
Andrews: Alvey was doing his thing, but Nogueira caught him in the second round and got him out of there. I still think Nogueira is ready to retire, but good win for him.
#14 ALEX OLIVEIRA VS. CARLO PEDERSOLIÂ
DON'T BLINK!
"Cowboy" Oliveira ends it IN SECONDS at #UFCSP!! pic.twitter.com/1J5ogtp4Qa
— UFC (@ufc) September 23, 2018
WINNER: ALEX OLIVEIRA VIA TKO R1 0:39
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALEX OLIVEIRA VIA TKO
Andrews: I didn’t expect it to be that fast, but Cowboy did his job.
MAIN EVENTÂ
#12 THIAGO SANTOS VS. ERYK ANDERSÂ
PHONE BOOTH FIGHTING!!#UFCSP @TMarretaMMA @ErykAnders pic.twitter.com/jVciMISDcj
— UFC (@ufc) September 23, 2018
WINNER: THIAGO SANTOS VIA TKO (REF STOPPAGE) R3 5:00
ANDREWS PREDICTION: THIAGO SANTOS VIA TKO
Andrews: For taking the fight on a week’s notice, Anders did well. The experience of Santos was just too much.
