UFC free fight: Curtis Blaydes showcases punching power to finish Junior dos Santos

Curtis Blaydes has proved that he’s not just a wrestler.

Blaydes (13-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) faced former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 24 in January, and showed the world that he had striking skills to back up his powerful wrestling credentials.

Blaydes came out looking to exert early pressure on the former champion, but was unable to take down dos Santos in his first two takedown attempts. He then switched to his kicks and connected with some powerful efforts, while dos Santos used his jab to keep Blaydes at bay as he prevented “Razor” from taking him to canvas.

In Round 2, Blaydes ramped up the aggression and countered a dos Santos uppercut with a cracking overhand right that left the Brazilian badly rocked. Blaydes then swarmed all over a wobbled dos Santos as he backed him up against the fence and unleashed a barrage of knees and punches until the referee stepped in to stop the fight.

Blaydes returns this Saturday in his second-straight main event when he faces Russia’s Alexander Volkov at UFC on ESPN 11.

Before he faces Volkov, relive Blaydes’ stoppage win over dos Santos in the video above.