Magny Escaped Bottom Position
Neil Magny stopped Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on August 2, 2025, at UFC Vegas 108 in Las Vegas. The welterweight contest ended by technical knockout at 4:39 of the second round after Magny reversed a difficult spell on the canvas.
The second round initially favored Zaleski’s wrestling
Following a competitive opening round, Zaleski completed a takedown in the second and spent an extended period working from top position. Magny had to defend before he could resume his own offense.
The early success did not develop into a finish for the Brazilian. Magny eventually returned to his feet, creating an opportunity to change both the location and direction of the contest.
A clinch knee triggered the comeback
Magny hurt Zaleski with a knee in close and followed by completing a takedown of his own. The exchange turned the fighter who had been defending underneath into the one pursuing the stoppage.
When Zaleski tried to stand, Magny reached the back and flattened him out. Repeated punches then forced referee Mark Smith to intervene before the round could end.
The result ended a difficult losing spell
Magny entered after consecutive knockout defeats against Michael Morales and Carlos Prates. His Las Vegas victory therefore represented a significant return to winning form against another experienced welterweight.
The finish rewarded persistence through an unfavorable position. Rather than allowing the second-round takedown to determine the contest, Magny rebuilt his offense, hurt his opponent and used the resulting positional advantage to secure a decisive technical knockout.
Sources
- MMA Mania: top-position spell, clinch knee and comeback sequence
- Nevada commission: referee and official stoppage time
