NEWARK, N.J. – Randy Brown beat Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos with a unanimous decision Saturday to open up the main card at UFC 302 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Take a look inside the fight with Brown, who called for a fight with Geoff Neal after his win.
Randy Brown def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
Result: Randy Brown def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Brown (19-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC), Zaleski dos Santos (24-8-1 MMA, 10-4-1 UFC)
Key stats: Zaleski dos Santos landed four takedowns, but Brown outstruck him 89-42.
Brown on the fight's key moment
“Relief. Tough vet – going up against a guy that’s really experienced and has been around. I’ve got to be happy with my performance. I wanted to get the finish, but obviously that motherf*cker’s tough, so I’ve got to take what I can get.”
Brown on getting into the top 15
“I think I should be ranked, but I’m not the one that makes that decision. I’m fine with just getting paid and beating up on the guys that are not as good. But if you get me in the rankings, I know that means more money. That means more notoriety. That means I’m able to build a legacy and move forward. But if not, if I keep getting paid, it is what it is. But I’m undeniable and eventually I will be undeniable. I’ve just got to just keep going.”
Brown on what he wants next
“I think I knock (Geoff Neal) out early, late – it doesn’t matter. I think I can get to him. And if I get to him and I can put some good shots on him clean, I don’t think anybody can take that. I think I can get him out of there. The main thing is that I know he’s going to scrap. A lot of these dudes, they just want to dive for your ankles immediately, even though I will more than welcome that, as well.
“But I know he’s a guy that’s going to be there and he’s going to fight. Styles make fights, and looking at his style vs. my style, I know the company is going to love that. I think that that’s just going to make a fantastic fight. We’re going to do it. We’re going to stand and we’re going to get it done. Somebody is going to get finished in that fight.”
To hear more from Brown, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.