Chute Boxe featherweight Daniel Santos desires to attain his first knockout in 4 years when he faces South Korea’s Joo Sang Yoo at UFC 320, which takes place Oct. 4 in Las Vegas.
“Willycat” hasn’t scored a end since a bonus-winning stoppage over John Castaneda in October 2022 and admits it bothers him to not finish a battle like that. Santos enters the cage driving a three-fight profitable streak, the final two by way of choice.
“I can’t wait to see a physique flatlined like that and me taking a look at it with my fingers up,” Santos advised MMA Preventing. “It might be one thing to shut the weekend with a flourish, however over time, with expertise, you understand that the win is extra essential, no matter how it’s. However I miss feeling the adrenaline of the knockout. That feeling is surreal. It might be unimaginable if I might get the knockout Saturday. That will be great. We’ll work for that.”
Yoo, the person sharing the octagon with him Saturday evening on the T-Cell Area, is 1-0 within the UFC after knocking out Jeka Saragih in simply 26 seconds this previous June. “Zombie Jr.” received all 9 bouts since turning skilled in Might 2021, 4 by knockout.
“Primarily based on his preventing fashion, I believe he’ll attempt to contact [to score] and run away from the battle,” Santos stated. “I don’t assume he’ll attempt to stand there and commerce blows with me. He is aware of I’m an aggressive man that throws many strikes, and I believe he’ll attempt to run from this kind of battle slightly bit. I believe that’s his technique, to kick and jab extra to take care of the space and attempt to escape. I believe that’s the technique.”
Santos was initially scheduled to face Doo Ho Choi at UFC Perth on Sept. 27, however was moved to the next week’s occasion after Choi was pressured off the match. Santos admits he requested to be on the UFC Rio present as an alternative, the place his teammate Charles Oliveira headlines reverse Mateusz Gamrot on Oct. 11, however celebrates being on a pay-per-view present headlined by the Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira rematch.
“It’s lots much less advanced [fighting in Las Vegas instead of Australia] as a result of we’ve the [Performance Institute] right here for the load minimize, the resort,” Santos stated. “We’re extra used to the climate and the routine in Vegas. Every part is simpler right here like coaching and locations to be.”
“The Korean Superboy” Choi had extra expertise within the UFC after eight octagon appearances, together with memorable performances towards Cub Swanson, Thiago Tavares and Sam Sicilia. Santos feels that Yoo doesn’t add the identical worth name-wise, however comes with hype.
“[Choi] was near the rating so a win over him would positively put me nearer to a battle with a ranked opponent, and even to the rating,” Santos stated. “He had extra identify in [the UFC], however I see this child being overvalued after the fast knockout. [The UFC] sees him with good eyes as a result of he’s a child that — he’s not younger, he’s truly older than me [laughs] so I can’t name him a child [laughs]. However he’s coming off a fast knockout, has a flashy preventing fashion and all, so I believe it’s going to be a cool battle. I’m excited. I labored as if I’m preventing the champion, regardless of who’s on the opposite facet. I don’t underestimate anybody.”
