Raphael Assuncao Earns Devastating KO Against Matthew Lopez, Wants Trilogy with TJ Dillashaw
Raphael Assuncao isn’t one to use trash talk to hype his fights but the knockout he landed on Saturday night spoke louder than words.
Assuncao was facing highly touted bantamweight prospect Matthew Lopez, who failed to make weight on Friday and then paid for it once he stepped into the Octagon with a top five fighter on the main card from Norfolk, Virginia.
Assuncao was methodical with his offense through the first two rounds, absolutely battering the inside of Lopez’s leg with a barrage of kicks.
By the time the third round got underway, Lopez’s thigh had turned purple with bruising in the shape of Assuncao’s foot.
With Lopez slowing down and unable to put much weight on his lead leg, Assuncao went for the kill after throwing a flying knee and then following up with a huge combination of punches with the last one landing flush.
WATCH FOR THE HOOK! Raphael Assunção makes a statement with the KO vs. Matthew Lopez! #UFCNorfolk https://t.co/42IJIRIFNL
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) November 12, 2017
Lopez crumbled unconscious to the mat and credit goes to Assuncao, who pulled up just short from landing an extra hammer fist in the heat of the moment as he realized his opponent was finished before the referee could even swoop into stop the fight.
The win moved Assuncao to 10-1 as a bantamweight and it was clear afterwards that he only had one fight on his mind for what comes next.
“We have to do that trilogy. T.J. let’s do it,” Assuncao said addressing new bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw. “I’m not the most talkative guy out there but I think I earned it.”
Dillashaw and Assuncao have split a pair of bouts with each earning a decision win over the other one and now the Brazilian is hoping to get a third fight — this time with the title on the line.
