Sherdog’s Top 10: Memorable UFC Debuts

Junior dos Santos launched himself to stardom at UFC 90. | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com

7. Junior dos Santos
UFC 90 “Silva vs. Cote”
Oct. 25, 2008 | Rosemont, Ill.

When a fighter takes an opponent lightly, terrible things tend to happen. This time-honored belief was on display when Fabricio Werdum moved on UFC 90 expecting to walk through the unknown dos Santos. “Vai Cavalo” was anticipating a title shot with a victory over dos Santos but entered the cage unprepared for what awaited him.

Dos Santos detonated a pinpoint uppercut on Werdum’s chin, scoring a sensational knockout 81 seconds into the first round. The victory announced the arrival of “Cigano” as a force in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Some three years later, dos Santos earned a title shot against Cain Velasquez on national television and made the most of it, as he handed the American Kickboxing Academy standout the first defeat of his career.

Though he lost two subsequent rematches against Velasquez, dos Santos remains the consensus No. 2 heavyweight in the sport.

Number 6 » Karo Parisyan

7. Junior dos Santos UFC 90 “Silva vs. Cote” Oct. 25, 2008 | Rosemont, Ill.

7. Junior dos Santos
UFC 90 “Silva vs. Cote”
Oct. 25, 2008 | Rosemont, Ill.