Jorge Santiago is known to have a little bit of a suspect chin, and with Brian Stann possessing big power in his hands that turned out to be a recipe for disaster for the former Senguko champion at UFC 130.
The first round began with a feeling out process, with Santiago looking a little cautious in his return to the big stage, while Stann was confidently stalking him and landing some solid leg kicks.
The round exploded into life in the closing minutes of the round when Stann displayed his firepower with a big left hook that rocked Santiago and sent him to the floor.
Stann followed up with an assortment of ground and pound punches and elbows, but despite taking some solid shots Santiago survived and made it to the end of the round, though he still looked a little wobbly on his legs as he retreated back to his corner.
Onto round two and Santiago was still struggling to find his range and rhythm, though as it progressed he did mix things up a little, throwing a spinning backfist which connected, and a flying knee which just missed the mark.
Stann still looked like the more powerful, compact and confident fighter though and after stiffening Santiago’s legs with an uppercut early in the round he was clearly taking full control of this match-up.
Again towards the end of the round he connected with another thunderous left hook that dropped his opponent once more.
From there Stann landed a series of unanswered right hands to the face of Santiago who was still conscious on his back, but to dazed to defend himself intelligently, forcing the referee to step in and hand ‘The All-American’ the TKO victory.
This was another big win for Stann in his new home at middleweight, and he now places himself firmly in the mix in the upper reaches of the division.
The victory also held special significance for the former war hero who described getting the win as “vital” given that it came during Memorial Day Weekend.
