Junior dos Santos

UFC Adelaide: Junior dos Santos overpowers Tai Tuivasa

December 2, 2018 by

Brazilian Junior Dos Santos (20-5-0) ended the undefeated streak of hometown hero Tai Tuivasa (10-1-0) with a convincing second -round TKO in the main event of UFC Adelaide last night.

Dos Santos was cautious in the first round, eating some good shots from the always confident Tuivasa, but landing some good ones of his own. Both fighters shunned opportunities to take the fight to the ground, but the fight seemed to turn when Tuivasa landed a leg kick that made Dos Santos wince near the end of the first frame.

But in the second round, Dos Santos caught Tuivasa coming in with a right hand, followed up by some quick shots and a left hook which dropped “Bam Bam.” Dos Santos then swarmed, securing the mount and using ground-and-pound to force referee  Herb Dean to stop the contest at 2:30 of the second round.

The win gives the No.7 “Cigano” a two-fight win streak, his first since he was champion over seven years ago. In the post-fight press conference, he called for a rematch with Alistair Overeem.

Tuivasa was gracious in defeat, with some self-depreciating remarks that amused the crowd. He then called out Justin Willis, who had defeated Mark Hunt earlier.

Kai Kara-France and Elias Garcia earned Fight of the Night, while Mauricio Rua and Sodiq Yusuff earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.

Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.

In case you missed the prelims:

DAMIR ISMAGULOV DEF. ALEX GORGEES VIA UD (30-25, 30-26, 30-26)

CHRISTOS GIAGOS DEF. MIZUTO HIROTA VIA UD (29-28, 29-27, 30-28)

KAI KARA-FRANCE DEF. ELIAS GARCIA VIA UD (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)

KEITA NAKAMURA DEF. SALIM TOUAHRI VIA SD (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

WILSON REIS DEF. BEN NGUYEN VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

ALEXEY KUNCHENKO DEF. YUSHIN OKAMI VIA UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

MAIN CARD

MAIN EVENT

JIM CRUTE VS. PAUL CRAIG 

 

WINNER: JIM CRUTE VIA SUBMISSION R3 4:51

ANDREWS PREDICTION: JIM CRUTE VIA TKO

Andrews: Craig wanted the tap, but Crute overcame and flipped the script. Good win.

SUMAN HOKTHARIAN VS. SODIQ YUSUFF

 

Andrews Prediction: Both fighters making their octagon debut. Sodiq wants to strike, Suman wants to submit. Tough one to call, but I will go with the striker.

Andrews Prediction: Sodiq Yusuff via TKO

JAKE MATTHEWS VS. TONY MARTIN 

WINNER: TONY MARTIN VIA TECH SUBMISSION (ANACONDA CHOKE) R3 1:19

ANDREWS PREDICTION: JAKE MATTHEWS VIA UD

 

Andrews: Martin got the fight to the ground, give him credit. Good win over the hometown kid.

MAURICIO RUA VS. TYSON PEDRO 

 

WINNER: MAURICIO RUA VIA TKO R3 0:43

ANDREWS PREDICTION: MAURICO RUA VIA TKO

Andrews: After some  back and forth Pedro almost got Rua, but then his ankle gave way, allowing Rua to get the TKO. Rua looked spent, still.

#10 MARK HUNT VS. #15 JUSTIN WILLIS 

 

WINNER: JUSTIN WILLIS VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: JUSTIN WILLIS VIA TKO

Andrews: Unfortunately, not a barnburner. Thanks Mark, for everything.

#7 JUNIOR DOS SANTOS VS. #11 TAI TUIVASA 

 

WINNER: JUNIOR DOS SANTOS VIA TKO R2 2:30

ANDREWS PREDICTION: TUI TUIVASA VIA TKO

Andrews: Tuivasa had a good first round but then got caught in the second round. He did well, but give credit to Dos Santos for some nice boxing counterpunching. Good win and Tuivasa will be back.

@kenaiandrews

Share1
Tweet
Share
Pin
1 Shares
Tags
Categories
ExtrafeaturenewsUFC

by KenaiAndrews - Dec 1, 2018

by KenaiAndrews - Dec 3, 2018

Kenai is a former Postmedia Network news and sports editor. He is the Editor-in-Chief for MMA Crossfire.

RELATED BY