Thiago Santos plans to get back into the win column in a big way.
In the main event of a Fight Night card on September 25, Santos will face fellow Brazilian, Johnny Walker. It’s an intriguing bout and for Santos, he says he plans to show the world just how good he is.
“I will show Sept. 25 that I deserve to be UFC fighter, that I deserve to be No. 4 in the light heavyweight rankings,” Santos told MMA Junkie. “I need to show to everyone who I am. I think my last fight I didn’t show who I am. This fight I want to show to everyone that I’m better than before my surgery. I will try to finish the fight. … Show everyone that I deserve to get back to the title shot.”
When the fight was announced many fans were excited due to the fact it’s a fan-friendly bout. However, for Santos, he says he respects him as a person but on fight day he won’t give him any respect as he plans to KO him and get back into the win column.
“I respect him as a fighter, as a person, but on fight day (there will be) no respect, no mercy,” Santos said. “I will do my job. I will try to knock him out. … I will kick him hard, I will hit him hard, I will bring pain to him and I will try to knock him out. I will do my job. I feel much better than my last fight. I feel more confident, more comfortable and I will use my experience and I will show to everyone.”
Thiago Santos is coming off a lackluster decision loss to Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 259. It was his third loss in a row after being submitted by Glover Teixeira and losing a split decision to Jon Jones for the belt.
