Curtis Blaydes rose to the occasion Saturday night, scoring a second round finish over former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos in the main event of UFC Fight Night 166.
The event marked the 24th to air on ESPN+ already, taking place from the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. The UFC last visited North Carolina in 2018 and this was the first time they have went to Raleigh.
Blaydes has won three in a row since a 2018 loss to Francis Ngannou, topping dos Santos, Shamil Aburakhimov and Justin Willis. He is now 13-2 overall in his career with 10 knockout wins.
Who’s next!? #UFCRaleigh pic.twitter.com/sD1N32XrQe
— UFC (@ufc) January 26, 2020
Dos Santos suffered his second consecutive loss, having also been finished last June by Ngannou. He is 4-3 over his last seven fights.
In the co-main event, Michael Chiesa picked up one of the biggest wins of his career, scoring a decision over former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.
“Colby Covington, I’ll see you in July.”
SHOT CALLED. @MikeMav22 #UFCRaleigh pic.twitter.com/pzynAHpIj3
— UFC (@ufc) January 26, 2020
Chiesa used his size to his advantage, as the welterweight swept all three scorecards. The 32-year-old former Ultimate Fighter winner has won three in a row over dos Anjos, Diego Sanchez and Carlos Condit.
For dos Anjos, the loss was his third in his last four bouts, as the lone win came via submission last May over Kevin Lee.
Alex Perez improved to 5-1 with the UFC by topping Jordan Espinosa with an arm-triangle choke in the first round. Perez also scored a victory over Mark De La Rosa last year after falling to Joseph Benavidez in late 2018.
HE’S OUT! @AlexPerezMMA with an absolute masterclass finish!
Tune in on E+ ➡️ https://t.co/7gsc6RyHDA pic.twitter.com/m4wvlsszgd
— UFC (@ufc) January 26, 2020
Angela Hill finished Hannah Cifers in the second round and Jamahal Hill kicked off the main card with a decision win over Darko Stosic.
@AngieOverkill silences the NC crowd!
Tune in on E+ ➡️ https://t.co/7gsc6RyHDA pic.twitter.com/tU69zxjDfF
— UFC (@ufc) January 26, 2020
On the prelims, which also streamed live on ESPN+, Bevon Lewis, Arnold Allen, Justine Kish, Montel Jackson and Sara McMann won decisions.
Herbert Burns opened the show with thrilling fashion, connecting with a knee midway through the second round that finished Nate Landwehr.
Brett Johns followed that performance up with a third round submission vs. Tony Gravely.
UFC Fight Night 166 Results
Curtis Blaydes def. Junior dos Santos via TKO (strikes) at 1:06 of Round 2
Michael Chiesa def. Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Alex Perez def. Jordan Espinosa via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:33 of Round 1
Angela Hill def. Hannah Cifers via TKO (strikes) at 4:26 of Round 2
Jamahal Hill def. Darko Stosic via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Bevon Lewis def. Dequan Townsend via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Arnold Allen def. Nik Lentz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Justine Kish def. Lucie Pudilova via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Montel Jackson def. Felipe Colares via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)
Sara McMann def. Lina Lansberg via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
Bret Johns def. Tony Gravely via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:53 of Round 3
Herbert Burns def. Nate Landwehr via KO (knee) at 2:43 of Round 1
