Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (ranked 14th at welterweight) and Curtis Millender faced off with each other tonight (Saturday, March 9, 2019) in the INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas, only on ESPN+ (start your free trial here)
Millender came out moving forward, looking to impose his frame and range on Zaleski. Zaleski ducked under a hook for a beautifully timed double, and quickly popped his head free of Millender’s guillotine attempt. He moved right into half guard, posturing to land ground and pound, including a couple nice elbows. Zaleski seemed very comfortable controlling Millender; when Millender scrambled to his base, he leapt straight into back mount. He transitioned to full mount, then to back mount, locking in a short choke. That was it! Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos with the quick and easy win over Curtis Millender, making that seven straight wins for him. He celebrated with an acrobatic flip/cartwheel combination, fitting his nickname, ‘Capoeira’.
He spoke through a translator in the post-fight interview, saying that though he is a capoeirista, he is also a jiu-jitsu black belt, and said he is one of the best wrestlers in Brazil. He said to give him a top-five fighter next, because he deserves it. “Show me some respect.”
Official result: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Curtis Millender via submission (choke) at 2:35 of Round 1.
Fight Night 146 results, including play-by-play, click here
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