UFC on ESPN 71 – Neil Magny vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

Veteran experience clashed with dynamic striking when Neil Magny faced Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on August 2, 2025, at UFC on ESPN 71 in Las Vegas. Both fighters were eager to rebound from recent losses, and their contrasting styles promised a technical battle from the start, with Magny using length and Zaleski looking to impose unpredictable offense.

Magny opened the first round with smart distance management, sticking out a long jab, adding low kicks, and forcing Zaleski to chase. While the Brazilian moved forward with his usual capoeira-inspired rhythm, his heavy shots in the early going didn’t find the mark often enough to slow Magny’s steady pace.

Things shifted in the second round when Zaleski increased his urgency. He closed the gap, began throwing looping right hands and hard leg kicks, and pushed Magny into exchanges. Magny responded by clinching and attempting takedowns, but Zaleski’s ability to stuff those attempts and fire back made the momentum swing in his favor.

Midway through the fight, a clean punch from Zaleski landed flush and hurt Magny, forcing the American to cover up while the Brazilian poured on combinations. Though Magny managed to stay upright and avoid a stoppage, those heavy sequences clearly stole the round and changed the tone of the fight heading into the final minutes.

After three competitive rounds, the judges all scored the fight for Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos by unanimous decision. The result showcased Zaleski’s timing and ability to make mid-fight adjustments, while Magny’s calculated approach fell short once the Brazilian’s pressure took hold.