Thiago Santos moved one step closer to a possible title shot by knocking out Jan Blachowicz at UFC Fight Night 145 in Prague.
The two men fought out two close rounds before Santos got the stoppage in the third after a long series of hammerfists.
Earlier in the night, Stefan Struve ended his three-fight losing streak, bouncing back from a rough opening round to beat Marcos Rogerio de Lima. Michal Oleksiejczuk also notched a win with a brutal body-shot knockout of Gian Villante.
Main Card Results
Thiago Santos defeated Jan Blachowicz via TKO (strikes), R3 0:39
Stefan Struve defeated Marcos Rogerio de Lima via submission (arm-triangle choke), R2 2:21
Michal Oleksiejczuk defeated Gian Villante via KO (strikes), R1 1:34
Liz Carmouche defeated Lucie Pudilova via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Petr Yan defeated John Dodson via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Magomed Ankalaev defeated Klidson Abreu via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Four Straight for Santos
Saturday's main event was a bout between two men in the light heavyweight division who both carried solid win streaks and were likely hoping to work their way into title contention this year.