Fresh off a second-round TKO win over Gerald Meerschaert, Brazilian striker Thiago Santos felt like a rematch with Gegard Mousasi would be nice next logical step for him. However, now that Mousasi has closed a deal with Bellator, Santos was forced to change his mind. As he told Portal do Vale Tudo, he would like to take on veterans Tim Boetsch or Derek Brunson.

“Even though Mousasi went to Bellator, I already knew I wasn’t going to fight him next. I understand his decision, he did what he though was best for him financially. Now we’ll just have to wait for the UFC to decide my future. There’s plenty of guys that could give me a good fight, like Tim Boetsch, Derek Brunson and many others. Actually, I’ll fight whoever they put in front of me. I don’t pick my opponents.”

Thiago Santos defeated Gerald Meerschaert at UFC 213, but before that he scored a highlight reel spinning heel kick KO when he faced Jack Marshman in February. His last loss was a submission via guillotine choke to Eric Spicely, in September 2016.