The UFC on ESPN 40 headliner did not go as planned for Thiago Santos, but the former light heavyweight title challenger is maintaining a positive outlook.
Santos fell to Jamahal Hill via fourth-round technical knockout on Saturday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. “Marreta” had his moments, including a fourth round where he landed five of his six takedowns. That effort drained his stamina, however, and Hill was able to pour it on for the finish in Round 4. The bout was ultimately received “Fight of the Night” honors from promotion officials.
“I worked hard and I had a amazing training camp,” Santos wrote on social media. “I [left] everything there and still wasn't enough, no shame about that —just a bad night in the office. Congratulations to Hill. I will be back stronger and better. Thank you all.”
The 38-year-old Santos has fallen on hard times after giving Jon Jones a difficult test in a split-decision defeat at UFC 239 in July 2019. That fight resulted in Santos undergoing surgery on both knees, and he has lost four of five promotional appearances since then.
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