UFC Prague live blog: Jan Blachowicz vs. Thiago Santos

This is the UFC Prague live blog for the light heavyweight fight between Jan Blachowicz and Thiago Santos inside the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic.

Blachowicz, a former KSW champion, last earned a second-round submission win over Nikita Krylov in September. The performance extended his win streak to five striaght, which included decisions over Jimi Manuwa and Jared Cannonier.

Santos has been perfect since making the jump up from the middleweight division. In his most recent outing, the Brazilian buzzed through Manuwa in violent fashion in December. The win also marked his fifth fight of 2018, tying him for most bouts in a calendar year in UFC history.

Check out the UFC Prague live blog below:

Round 1

Herb Dean is the third man in the Octagon for this scrap. Both men touch gloves and immediately spring it action. Blachowicz is sticking to his jab as he dances away from a series of kicks from Santos. Both men look gun shy. Santos is clearly looking for an opening with his kicks but Blachowicz remains just out of reach. Blachowicz closes the distance but walks right into a straight left from Santos. Two minutes left now as Santos misses badly with left hook but finds a home for an overhand right. Santos lands another counter left hook, momentarily stunning his opponent. Clinching up, Blachowicz tries desperately to secure the takedown. Breaking free Santos narrowly misses with a looping right hook. 10-9 Santos

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Santos.

Round 2

Santos opens up the second frame with a series of oblique kicks to Blachowicz’s lead leg. Switching stances, Blachowicz plods forward and plants a hard body kick. Santos winds up with overhand right but only connects with air. Blachowicz continues to walk forward, looking to attack Santos’ midsection with kicks. With 90-seconds left Santos eats away at his opponent’s lead leg but misses badly with a pair of left haymakers. Blachowicz connects with another body kick before evading a lopping combination from Santos. Blachowicz, with his back to the cage, lunges forward with a head kick. Santos evades the attack and follows up with an ill-timed, but stellar looking, cart wheel kick.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Blachowicz.

Round 3

Santos once again going to work on Blachowicz’s lead leg. Walking forward, Blachowicz looks to close distance but walks right into a violent right-left combination from Santos. With his opponent crumpling to the canvas, Santos swarms in for the kill as he uncorks a barrage of hammer fists. With Blachowicz turtling up, the referee was forced to step in and stop the fight.

Official result: Thiago Santos def. Jan Blachowicz via TKO (strikes)