Former middleweight champion Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza put himself firmly back in line for a title shot tonight with a quick knockout win over Derek Brunson.
Looking to push the pace in the early stages Brunson came pressing forward with punches in the opening minute of the fight which ‘Jacare’ countered with a right hook that connected clean to the jaw and dropped Brunson face first to the canvas.
‘Jacare’ paused for a split second thinking the fight was over, but Brunson was sluggishly trying to get back to his feet so he got going again and sent him back down to the mat with a further two strikes.
A couple more strikes on the ground sealed the deal and handed Souza the knockout win in just 41 seconds.
‘Jacare’s’ striking has markedly improved over the years and tonight he got his reward for that with this being his first ever KO win, and should set up a second fight with current 185lb champ Luke Rockhold.
