The Ultimate Fighter has always been a gateway for entertaining talents to emerge and show their potential to the fight fans. This year, seasoned MMA fighters Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso went against each other as coaches. Out of Garssoโs team, Mairon Santos recently fought Kaan Ofli in the featherweight final of TUF 32.ย
The series was completed on Tuesday, just in time for the announcements. It gave out the names of the contestants who would compete Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The first featherweight final ended in a devastating manner as Mairon Santos knocked out Kaan Ofli in Round 2.
In exhibition matches on the show, Santos won unanimous decisions over Edwin Cooper Jr. and Guillermo Torres. This earned him a spot in the championship match. Santos had participated in the Brazilian regional circuit before a couple of fights under the LFA brand before being cast on TUF.ย
Before Saturdayโs final match, Ofli had victories over Nathan Fletcher and Roedie Roets in TUF. As the featherweight champion of the Hex Fight Series, he had not lost since June 2016, and he had good momentum. Unfortunately, in UFC Vegas 96, his eight-fight winning streak ended.
Fight fans react to Mairon Santosโs electrifying knockout against Kaan Ofli
During the fight, Mairon Santos showed why he was a better fighter than Kaan Ofli. The Brazilian kept his composure and managed his distance effectively to get the KO by a nasty left hook.ย In the post-fight interview, Santos mentioned that he couldnโt believe whether he was dreaming or not.
Fight fans react to Mairon Santosโ KO finish (via X)The young fighter was overwhelmed by the win and couldnโt contain his emotions. Nevertheless, here are some reactions from his clinical knockout;
The classic battle of the left hooks after an exchange, might be the most common KO in MMA
โ ๐ดแดสแดแดสแดแด๊ฐแดกแดส๐ด (@TheArtOfWar6) August 25, 2024
Wouldโve been one of the coolest walk off KOโs ever
โ ๐ดแดสแดแดสแดแด๊ฐแดกแดส๐ด (@TheArtOfWar6) August 25, 2024
Could barley see the left hand in real time, shades of Conor
โ ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ซ๐ง๐ (@BIueNinja) August 25, 2024
He needs 50k. Thatโs a huge amount for Brazilians give that man his bonus let him help his family
โ X (@fau1in) August 25, 2024
Heโs so clean man! ๐ฅ
โ แดxแดแดแดแดแด ๐บ๐ฟ๐ (@jxkemma) August 25, 2024
Oh my god thatโs a bad knockout
โ ๐ดแดสแดแดสแดแด๊ฐแดกแดส๐ด (@TheArtOfWar6) August 25, 2024
Mairon has been a problem since he was 19. Very experienced for a 24 year old fighter. Got a learning lesson in his LFA debut and has looked phenomenal since. https://t.co/ysS9SA1eil
โ caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) August 25, 2024
Many fans were in awe watching the fight and how Mairon Santos delivered the vicious left hook. Fans loved his ability to be this clean with his strikes. One user even compared his striking speed with that of the legendary Conor McGregor in his prime days.ย
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