The Korean Superboy earned his third straight stoppage victory and immediately set his sights on former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull.
Doo Ho Choi delivered one of the most impressive performances of his UFC comeback run at UFC Vegas 117, stopping Brazil’s Daniel Santos with a crushing body shot in the co-main event.
The victory marked Choi’s third consecutive stoppage win and continued a resurgence that has quickly reestablished the South Korean fan favorite as a dangerous force in the UFC featherweight division.
After years of injuries, setbacks, and inactivity, Doo Ho Choi is beginning to look like the fighter who once captivated fans around the world with his aggressive striking style and highlight-reel finishes.
Daniel Santos Started Fast Against Doo Ho Choi
The opening round was anything but easy for Choi.
Daniel Santos entered the fight with momentum and immediately applied pressure. The Brazilian pushed forward with aggressive combinations, body kicks, and takedown threats, forcing Choi to fight off the back foot for much of the first round.
Santos’ early success included opening a significant cut and causing visible damage around Choi’s nose. For a brief period, it appeared that the Brazilian’s pace and pressure could overwhelm the Korean veteran.
Instead, Choi remained composed.
Rather than engaging in a reckless firefight, he relied on a disciplined jab and patient footwork to slow Santos’ momentum. As the round progressed, Choi began finding his timing and forcing Santos to work harder for every exchange.
The adjustments would ultimately pay dividends.
Doo Ho Choi Delivers a Perfect Body-Shot Finish
The turning point came midway through the second round.
After establishing his jab and drawing predictable reactions from Santos, Choi landed a perfectly timed left hand to the body that immediately folded the Brazilian.
Santos collapsed to the canvas and was unable to continue.
The referee stepped in at 4:29 of Round 2, awarding Doo Ho Choi a TKO victory and sending the crowd into celebration.
The finish showcased the evolution of Choi’s striking game. Known primarily for his devastating punching power and head-hunting combinations earlier in his career, Choi demonstrated a more calculated approach by investing in body work and patiently creating the opening for the fight-ending shot.
UFC Vegas 117 Continues Doo Ho Choi’s Career Resurgence
The victory improves Doo Ho Choi’s professional record to 17-4-1 and further solidifies his return as one of the UFC’s most compelling comeback stories.
More importantly, it gives Choi three consecutive stoppage victories, his longest finishing streak since emerging as one of the UFC’s most exciting featherweight prospects nearly a decade ago.
At 35 years old, Choi appears to have found the balance between the aggression that made him famous and the patience that comes with experience.
His recent performances suggest that he may be entering a new phase of his career rather than approaching the end of it.
Key Moments from UFC Vegas 117
Santos Applied Early Pressure
The Brazilian came out aggressively, landing combinations, body kicks, and forcing Choi to defend takedown attempts.
Choi’s Jab Changed the Fight
As the fight progressed, Choi established his jab and disrupted Santos’ rhythm, creating opportunities to counter effectively.
The Fight-Ending Body Shot
A perfectly placed left hand to the body ended the contest instantly and highlighted Choi’s improved shot selection.
Third Straight Finish
The victory extended Choi’s streak of consecutive stoppage wins and continued his climb back into relevance in the featherweight division.
Doo Ho Choi Calls Out Patricio Pitbull
Following the victory, Choi wasted little time making his intentions known.
The Korean Superboy called for a matchup against former Bellator featherweight champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, one of the most accomplished fighters outside of the UFC over the past decade.
A potential matchup would immediately become one of the most intriguing fights available in the division.
Pitbull brings championship credentials, knockout power, and years of elite-level experience. Choi offers a revitalized career, growing momentum, and one of the most fan-friendly styles in the sport.
Whether the UFC chooses to grant that request remains to be seen, but the callout sends a clear message.
Doo Ho Choi is no longer focused on rebuilding his career.
He’s focused on proving he belongs among the division’s most dangerous names.
The Korean Superboy Is Chasing Legacy Fights
For years, injuries and inactivity prevented Doo Ho Choi from reaching the heights many expected when he first arrived in the UFC.
Now, with three consecutive stoppage victories and renewed confidence inside the Octagon, Choi has positioned himself for the biggest opportunities of his career.
If UFC Vegas 117 proved anything, it is that the Korean Superboy’s story is far from over.
And the next chapter may be even bigger than the first.
UFC Vegas 117 Fight Night highlights available on UFC on Paramount+ Youtube Channel
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Love this!
No more Korean Killer
Daniel Santos is such a humble guy. Joo’s fight made me really root for Santos.