Pat Lovell USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Thatch continues to live up to the hype as he secured another impressive finish at UFC Fight Night 32 in Brazil against veteran Paulo Thiago. Thatch entered hostile territory and was dominant in making it back-to-back wins in the Octagon. Thatch was able to utilize his striking skills in the opening round against Thiago registering brutal kicks and punches. Thiago did land a couple of punches that left Thatch with a cut over his left eye, but “Rukus” simply would not be denied. Thatch was able to get back to his feet after a Thiago takedown and showed his usual aggression in landing nasty knees in the clinch. Thatch finished the fight at the 2:10 mark with a brutal knee to the body that had Thiago tapping immediately as he crumpled to the canvas. It was quite the follow-up to his Octagon debut where Thatch needed just 83 seconds to polish off Justin Edwards.
Thatch has been a training partner of UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and is definitely a talent to watch in the 170 pound weight class. Thatch uses his 6-foot-2 frame to perfection in employing his brutal kickboxing techniques. He improved to 11-1 in his career with all eleven stoppages coming in the very first round. It doesn’t get any better than that when it comes to being explosive.
Thatch should be in line for bigger and better things in the welterweight division as his aggressive style is definitely a fan-friendly one and he’s been able to live up to his reputation of being a sensational finisher. As for Thiago, it’s likely the end of the line as he’s now dropped four of his last five fights.
Rick LaFitte is an MMA Writer for Rant Sports
