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.
Legend.
Thank you for everything, @MarkHunt1974. #UFCAdelaide pic.twitter.com/AkTA8dhVpy
— UFC (@ufc) December 2, 2018
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.
💰 50Gs 💰
FOTN: @KaiKaraFrance vs Garcia
POTN: @ShogunRua & @Super_Sodiq pic.twitter.com/Q7E4Ztb35S
— UFC (@ufc) December 2, 2018
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 CRAIGÂ
Jimmy Crute!@CruteJim gets the tap in his Octagon debut! Wow! #UFCAdelaide pic.twitter.com/bFRIL45POF
— UFC (@ufc) December 2, 2018
WINNER: JIM CRUTE VIA SUBMISSION R3 4:51
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JIM CRUTE VIA TKO
Andrews:Â Craig wanted the tap, but Crute overcame and flipped the script. Good win.
SUMAN HOKTHARIAN VS. SODIQ YUSUFF
"I lost my big brother last week. This was for him."@Super_Sodiq dedicated his performance tonight to his late brother. #UFCAdelaide pic.twitter.com/0m77sOWUET
— UFC (@ufc) December 2, 2018
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 MARTINÂ
Anthony Martin!! Wow!#UFCAdelaide @TonyRoccoMartin pic.twitter.com/7pV06LA0Xt
— UFC (@ufc) December 2, 2018
WINNER: TONY MARTIN VIA TECH SUBMISSION (ANACONDA CHOKE) R3 1:19
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JAKE MATTHEWS VIA UD
Andrews:Â Martin got the fight to the ground, give him credit. Good win over the hometown kid.
MAURICIO RUA VS. TYSON PEDROÂ
SHOGUN!#UFCAdelaide pic.twitter.com/edIh5002ck
— UFC (@ufc) December 2, 2018
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 WILLISÂ
"Thank you all for the support."
Thank you, @MarkHunt1974 #UFCAdelaide pic.twitter.com/mM02gsGFA5
— UFC (@ufc) December 2, 2018
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 TUIVASAÂ
IT'S OVER! JDS gets it done! #UFCAdelaide pic.twitter.com/fqyvGip4Yj
— UFC (@ufc) December 2, 2018
WINNER: JUNIOR DOS SANTOS VIA TKO R2 2:30
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TUI TUIVASA VIA TKO
Andrews:Â 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.
