If you're planning to watch Saturday night's tape-delayed UFC 95 broadcast on Spike and don't want to know what happened in the heavyweight fight between Junior "Cigano" dos Santos and Stefan Struve, you will want to skip this post. Junior "Cigano" dos Santos is the next big thing in the heavyweight division of MMA.
Cigano absolutely destroyed Stefan Struve today at UFC 95 in London, needing just 54 seconds to land a couple of brutal punches and beat Struve by first-round TKO. It was his second UFC fight and his second first-round knockout; dos Santos needed just 1:21 to beat Fabricio Werdum at UFC 90 in October.
The 240-pound Cigano has devastating knockout power, and it's surprising what a big step down in level of competition the UFC gave him after he beat Werdum. It was bizarre that he beat a great fighter like Werdum, and then the UFC gave him a fight with a relatively unaccomplished opponent like Struve. I hope to see the UFC put him in the Octagon against top-notch competition, perhaps against the winner of next month's Shane Carwin-Gabriel Gonzaga fight. Cigano is ready for that kind of challenge.
UFC 95 Photos
Rory Markham, right, attempts to punch Dan Hardy during their match at UFC 95 on Feb. 21, 2009 in London, England.
Josh Hedges, UFC
Rory Markham punches Dan Hardy during their match at UFC 95 on Feb. 21, 2009 in London, England.
Josh Hedges, UFC
Rory Markham punches Dan Hardy during their match at UFC 95 on Feb. 21, 2009 in London, England.
Josh Hedges, UFC
Dan Hardy, right, connects with a devastating left hook against Rory Markham during their match at UFC 95 on Feb. 21, 2009 in London, England.
Josh Hedges, UFC
Dan Hardy watches Rory Markham recoil after his punch during their match at UFC 95 on Feb. 21, 2009 in London, England.
Josh Hedges, UFC
Dan Hardy quickly pounces on Rory Markham after his powerful punch during their match at UFC 95 on Feb. 21, 2009 in London, England.
Josh Hedges, UFC
Dan Hardy exalts after the ref stops his fight against Rory Markham at UFC 95 on Feb. 21, 2009 in London, England.
Josh Hedges, UFC
Dan Hardy celebrates his first-round TKO of Rory Markham at UFC 95 on Feb. 21, 2009 in London, England.
Josh Hedges, UFC
Dan Hardy celebrates his first-round TKO of Rory Markham at UFC 95 on Feb. 21, 2009 in London, England.
Josh Hedges, UFC
Diego Sanchez knees Joe Stevenson during their match at UFC 95 on Feb. 21, 2009 in London, England.
Josh Hedges, UFC
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