Following his departure from the UFC, Thiago Santos returned to action against Rob Wilkinson at PFL 1: 2023 Regular Season.
PFL 1 2023 Regular Season: Rob Wilkinson vs Thiago Santos
Round 1
Wilkinson steps in with a jab but doesn’t connect. Santos with an inside low kick. Santos swings wild with a left uppercut and misses. Wilkinson connects a nice left hand. He threatens stand up and shoots for a takedown to get Santos down. He moves to the side before Santos regains some control. Santos gets up. Wilkinson keeps holding on to him and takes him down again against the cage. He gets Santos’ back. Santos gets up momentarily before Wilkinson gets him down. Wilkinson gets his back, gets the double leg hooks in and looking to finish early with a submission. He locks in an arm triangle. Wilkinson lets it go to get the mount. In half guard now.
Round 2
Kick to the body from Santos. Low kick from Santos. Huge left hook from Wilkinson. Wilkinson goes in for a takedown but Santos defends well. Wilkinson steps in with his punches and gets the takedown. He’s trying to take the back. Santos tries to get up but Wilkinson keeps him down. Santos ends up giving the back. Santos reverses and takes Wilkinson’s back. They get up and Wilkinson changes places with Santos. He takes him down again. Santos doing well to maintain a strong base. Santos gets up and lands a knee. They get back in the middle. Wilkinson throws a jab and shoots for a takedown. He pins Santos against the cage.
Round 3
Santos goes for a punch and Wilkinson fires back and grapples against the cage. He keeps him pinned against the fence and unloads. They get back in the middle. Wilkinson gets a right hook in. Santos with a head kick. Wilkinson shoots for a takedown but Santos does well to defend. They get back in the middle. Wilkinson shoots for another takedown. He connects a nice strike in. Big punch from Santos and another one lands after the final bell.
Official Result: Rob Wilkinson defeats Thiago Santos by unanimous decision (29-28 x3).
Check out the highlights below:
Rob Wilkinson showing off his grappling skills in the 1st round!#2023PFL1 LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomD5xg pic.twitter.com/47Q8pK0KWD— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 2, 2023
We go to the judges' scorecards after 3 rounds. #2023PFL1 LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomD5xg pic.twitter.com/EFt9d91bHM— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 2, 2023
Rob Wilkinson spoils Thiago Santos' PFL debut and earns 3 points in the Light Heavyweight Standings!#2023PFL1 LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomD5xg pic.twitter.com/tq7DQuI1Tx— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 2, 2023
