Brazilian bantamweight prospect Iliarde Santos picks up win number 27 with first round TKO at Iron Fight Combat

September 4, 2012

The debut event for Brazil's Iron Fight Combat promotion was littered with some of the country's most underrated prospects. In the main event bantamweight prospect Iliarde Santos (27-6-1) steamrolled an inexperienced Alan Barros (0-2) in what became a clear-cut mismatch. After briefly gauging the distance Santos rocked Barros with a looping right hand followed by a quick takedown.

With Barros on his back Santos hovered over his opponent and stalked him with punches to the body and head. A pair of head shots would sneak through Barros' defenses and Santos with finish the fight with punches that went unblocked moments later. Santos was awarded the TKO win at 1:04 point of round one.

Santos has gone 5-0 with one no contest since his defeat to current UFC flyweight John Lineker (19-6) in September 2011. The 31 year old prospect and six year pro has already fought five times in 2012.With the ability to compete at 135 and 125 pounds Santos could bring diversity and underrated power to the UFC's two lowest weight classes.

On the undercard 19 year old lightweight prospect Goiti Yamauchi (9-1) picked up another first round submission victory. Yamauchi was booked versus an overmatched Dimitri Moicano (0-2). A hard takedown from Yamauchi brought Moicano to the floor.

Once on the ground Yamauchi quickly walked through Moicano's defense and the tapout from a rear naked choke came just 1:40 into the fight. Competing exclusively in his home country, all nine of Yamauchi's professional wins have come via submission. Still months away from his 20th birthday Yamauchi turned pro in October 2012 after posting a 7-0 record as a Brazilian amateur fighter.

With an aggressive ground game and room to improve Yamauchi could be called up to Bellator or the UFC sometime in 2013. Though his level of competition has not always been up to par, Yamauchi has the skills to compete on a larger MMA promotional platform and may even be a candidate for the next season of the Ultimate Fighter Brazil.

Iron Fight Combat results
Bahia, Brazil

*Iliarde Santos def. Alan Barros by TKO (Punches) 1:04 R1
*Samuel Trindade def. Klaiton Lima by Submission (Heel Hook) 2:54 R2
Edilberto de Oliveira def. Alessandro de Jesus Miguel by TKO (Retirement) 5:00 R1
*Bruno Carvalho def. Maicon Bastos by Decision (Unanimous)
Guilherme Viana def. Ed Carlos by TKO (Punch) 1:19 R1
Leonardo Guimaraes def. Jollyson Francino Sosatleta by TKO (Retirement) 4:07 R2
*Goiti Yamauchi def. Dimitri Moicano by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 1:40 R1
Bruno Menezes def. Ricardo Maciel by KO (Punches) 2:37 R2
Jurandir Sardinha def. Rivaldo Junior by TKO (Knees and Punches) 4:52 R1
Edilson Teixeira def. Danilo Noronha by TKO (Leg Injury) 0:57 R2

*Prospect to watch