Thiago Santos took advantage of being in the pay-per-view opener at UFC 231 Saturday night, showing off his power with a second round knockout of Jimi Manuwa.
The light heavyweight contest opened the main card from Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.
For Santos, the win moved him to 7-1 over his last eight fights, with the lone defeat coming to David Branch earlier this year. He has now won three in a row since that setback, including stoppage wins vs. Manuwa and Eryk Anders.
“I am very strong, very happy,” Santos said after the victory.
This recent run dating back to 2017 also includes a second round finish over top contender Anthony Smith, along with stoppage wins vs. Jack Hermansson, Gerald Meerschaert and Jack Marshman.
UFC 231: Holloway vs. Ortega Complete Results
Max Holloway def. Brian Ortega via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 4 to remain UFC featherweight champion
Valentina Shevchenko def. Joanna Jedrzejczyk via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to become UFC female flyweight champion
Gunnar Nelson def. Alex Oliveira via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:17 of Round 2
Hakeem Dawodu def. Kyle Bochniak via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)
Thiago Santos def. Jimi Manuwa via KO (strike) at :41 of Round 2
Nina Ansaroff def. Claudia Gadelha via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Gilbert Burns def. Olivier Aubin-Mercier via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Jessica Eye def. Katlyn Chookagian via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Elias Theodorou def. Eryk Anders via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Brad Katona def. Matthew Lopez via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Dhiego Lima def. Chad Laprise via KO (strike) at 1:37 of Round 1
Carlos Diego Ferreira def. Kyle Nelson via TKO (strikes) at 1:23 of Round 2
Aleksandar Rakic def. Devin Clark via TKO (strikes) at 4:05 of Round 1