Gabriel Santos overcame a thunderous head kick in the first round to earn a wild stoppage win at UFC 312.
UFC featherweights Gabriel Santos and Jack Jenkins treated fans to a wild affair on the UFC 312 prelims. Santos vs. Jenkins was the featured prelim bout after a few fight cancelations forced the matchmakers to shift the event’s order.
Jenkins was the arena favorite in Sydney after an impressive start to the Australian’s UFC career. Early on, Jenkins gave the crowd a lot to yell about in the opening minutes, as he flattened Santos with a head kick.
After dropping Santos, Jenkins appeared on the verge of finishing the fight with ground-and-pound in Round 1. But Santos used his slick grappling to stifle Jenkins on the mat, and nearly trapped Jenkins in a triangle choke.
Gabriel Santos rallies to stun Jack Jenkins to close out UFC 312 prelims
Santos’ confidence blossomed as the action went on. After a back-and-forth Round 2, Santos landed a bullseye front kick to Jenkins’ face that left the Australian badly wobbled in the closing minutes.
After getting Jenkins to the ground, Santos sunk in a rear-naked choke to complete the miraculous comeback win. He’s a top contender for a post-fight performance bonus after UFC 312.
Santos, a top protege of former UFC champion Charles Oliveira, is entering his physical prime and coming off the biggest win of his career. Before UFC 312, he defeated Yizha by unanimous decision in September after dropping his first two fights in the Octagon.
Bringing the action early 💥 #UFC312 pic.twitter.com/pKqZ7aUVsX
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2025
Gabriel Santos is a featherweight to keep an eye on after UFC 312
Santos put himself on the UFC’s radar after winning the LFA featherweight tournament championship with a liver punch at LFA 151 in 2023. He dropped his UFC debut to standout contender Lerone Murphy before a third-round knockout defeat to David Onama.
Jenkins, a former Dana White’s Contender Series standout, has now lost two of his last three fights inside the Octagon. He won his first two UFC fights over Don Shainis and Jamall Emmers before an injury stoppage loss to Chepe Mariscal.
Santos vs. Jenkins wrapped out a wild preliminary card at UFC 312. The event began with a 19-second knockout that left UFC fans debating the referee’s stoppage.
Follow along with all the latest from UFC 312 here. The card is headlined by Dricus du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland 2.
MOSQUITINHO GETS THE TAP 🦟@MosquitinhoMMA takes it out of the judges hands with a RNC in Round 3! #UFC312 pic.twitter.com/YPqW4cMvAJ
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2025