Thatch finishes Thiago in the first

By foxsports
Published

Paulo Thiago (15-5) vs. Brandon Thatch (10-1)

Round 1

Dan Miragliotta is your referee for this welterweight contest.

Touch of hands and we're started. Southpaw for Thatch, who offers a high kick. Uppercut coming in for Thatch glances. Thiago offers a right hand, blocked, but gets the takedown briefly along the cage. Thatch back up, knee to the body in the clinch. Thiago with the body lock, knee inside. High knee from Thatch, and it's turning into the kind of clinch fight Thatch enjoys. Thiago defending and avoiding well, looking for the judo trip. Back in the clinch, Thatch blasts Thiago with a knee to the body, and the Brazilian drops to the ground, tapping right away.

Official Result: Brandon Thatch defeats Paulo Thiago by Submission (Strikes) at 2:10 of Round 1.

Analysis: Another fight, another first-round finish for Brandon Thatch, this time with a brutal step knee to the body. With a second consecutive finish, this time against an experienced veteran, we should see "Rukus" facing Top 20 competition next time out.