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Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos claimed the inaugural Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA heavyweight title with a brutal knockout victory over Alan Belcher at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7 in Orlando.
The highly anticipated bout headlined the event, marking the promotion's first-ever world title fight. Dos Santos and Belcher, both heavyweights known for their striking prowess, were expected to deliver an exciting fight, and they did not disappoint.
After a competitive opening round, Dos Santos seized control in the second round. He landed a powerful left hook that dropped Belcher, followed by relentless ground-and-pound to secure the victory and the championship belt. Dos Santos, known for his successful UFC career, remains undefeated in bare-knuckle MMA.
Dos Santos' journey to the title included notable victories in the UFC, where he captured the heavyweight title by defeating Cain Velasquez in November 2011. Despite some ups and downs in his later UFC fights, including wins over Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa, and Stipe Miocic, Dos Santos ultimately parted ways with the promotion after a loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC 256.
Belcher, on the other hand, entered the fight on an 11-fight winning streak, with experience in both boxing and bare-knuckle boxing. His defeat to Dos Santos ends his impressive streak, which included a victory over Roy Nelson to earn the title shot.
Dos Santos is now poised to defend his Gamebred title, with fellow UFC veteran Chase Sherman potentially lining up as his first challenger. For Dos Santos, the victory is another opportunity to showcase his skills and add to his storied career as a world champion.