Cornel Thompson dominates on ground en route to decision win

Jean Do Santos spent years competing in rugby before transitioning over to MMA. He enters his PFL debut tonight with a 9-1 record in the sport, including five finishes. Do Santos, a lightweight champion on the regional circuit, scored a flying knee knockout in just eight seconds in his last fight.

Cornel Thompson makes his own PFL debut tonight with a 10-3 record, as well as with a regional lightweight title himself. Thompson had experience in both wrestling and boxing before transitioning over to MMA. Thompson last fought in November 2024, scoring a first-round submission of Richard Asiedu.

Which of these two PFL debutants will be victorious?

Round 1

Thompson flashes the right hand. Low kick by Thompson, and he dodges the level change from Do Santos. Do Santos misses a front kick before he presses Thompson to the fence. Do Santos gets the takedown. Thompson looks for a guillotine counter but can’t get it. Do Santos pressing again. Do Santos goes for back mount, but Thompson escapes. Do Santos presses him into the fence again, and we’ve got a clinch control battle. A separation before Thompson stops another takedown attempt. Right hand by Thompson on the ground. Thompson stops another takedown attempt, and Thompson is now in side control.

Do Santos makes his way back to his feet. Thompson now is the one pressing Do Santos into the fence. Low kick by Thompson. Another one. Thompson with the level change, and he scores the takedown. Do Santos gets up and looks for a combination, but Thompson counters with a clinch. One minute remaining. Low kick by Do Santos. The action has slowed to a halt here. Front kick from Do Santos. And another. Do Santos with a leg kick. Thompson feints a right hand and lands a low kick.

Round 2

Do Santos goes for a flying knee at the start, but he doesn’t land it. Thompson answers with a takedown, and he gets into the full guard of Do Santos. Do Santos lands his heels on Thompson’s rear. Thompson looks to transition into side control, but Do Santos trying to use his knees to limit the offense. Thompson with short shots to the back of Do Santos. Reverse elbows to the back of the head earns Do Santos a warning. Thompson continues to try and do work in the guard. Do Santos is warned again for shots to the back of the head.

Thompson now doing work with Do Santos sitting up against the fence. Thompson pinning the legs of Do Santos down. Thompson now gets Do Santos back-flat on the ground, successfully controlling the action from up top. Do Santos manages to get up just before the bell, and Thompson nearly lands a high kick upstairs before the bell.

Round 3

Thompson tells Do Santos to bring the fight to the center of the SmartCage. Not much action in the first minute; the fight’s pace has definitely slowed to a near halt. Easy takedown for Thompson. Thompson doing work with short shots in the guard of Do Santos. Do Santos goes for a butterfly sweep but is unable to get himself up. Do Santos is looking to land from the bottom now, but it’s not enough to lessen Thompson’s pressure.

Thompson continues to hold Do Santos down, and Do Santos isn’t doing anything to stop Thompon’s top pressure. Thompson with head control. A little surprising the referee has kept them on the ground for this long. Thompson controls the action here, grinding his way to a decision win as the final bell rings.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Cornel Thompson def. Jean Do Santos via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)