LAS VEGAS – Rob Wilkinson beat Thiago Santos with a unanimous decision Friday in the co-main event at 2023 PFL 1 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Wilkinson, the 2022 light heavyweight season winner who picked up 3 points in his quest to repeat.
Thiago Santos vs. Rob Wilkinson
Result: Rob Wilkinson def. Thiago Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Wilkinson (18-2), Santos (22-12)
Key stat: Wilkinson kept Santos’ power at bay with takedowns in seven of eight attempts.
Wilkinson on the fight's key moment
“I got the win. I wasn’t super impressed with my performance, but I know he’s the hardest guy I’ve fought – toughest opponent, I’d say, in the division. So it’s good to go out there and win two rounds against him.
“I thought I had kind of had him on the back. I knew he throws those hard left kicks, and one got through. But it was similar to what I thought the fight would be. I just felt like I let him back in the fight in the last round a little bit. I don’t know what it was. I didn’t feel bad today, but I just didn’t feel like I was my usual self. I didn’t feel, uh, as sharp as I normally do. It’s just that last round I just wasn’t happy with.”
Wilkinson on fighting a former UFC title challenger
“I kind of felt more pressure on this fight than I did for the title fight (in 2022). Thiago coming over, huge name, really good fighter, fighting the top guys in the world for the last five years or so, and I remember he was one of the guys that, when I was thinking about going up to (light heavyweight): ‘Sh*t – don’t want to go up and fight that guy. He’s massive and knocks everyone out.’ So it’s cool to be fighting those people now.”
Wilkinson on what he wants next
“I usually get the finish. I’m never looking for it, but I think I can finish any of the other guys in the division. I saw a few of the fights and I wasn’t particularly impressed with anyone, like a big standout or anything. I’ll be confident against whoever I face next.”
To hear more from Wilkinson, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 1.
