After laying out Saint Preux at UFC 204, Jimi Manuwa says 'a knockout is always the plan

MANCHESTER, England – Jimi Manuwa scored a statement knockout win over Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 204. Making the win even sweeter was getting the job done in front of a raucous hometown crowd.

After being put on his back for most of the opening round, Manuwa (16-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) stormed back in the second, leaving Saint Preux (19-9 MMA, 7-4 UFC) down and out after a pinpoint left hook.

The light heavyweight bout was part of the main card of UFC 204 at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. It aired pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Manuwa said adjusting to the late hour of the fight – the main card started at 3 a.m. local time to accommodate American PPV audiences – was worth it to fight in front of his countrymen.

“It was great,” Manuwa said. “The Manchester crowd is second to none. The crowd is so loud and they give us great support. It was great.”

Manuwa had to survive an opening round that saw Saint Preux score a takedown and dominate on the ground positionally.

Fatigue may have been Saint Preux’s biggest enemy. He appeared to fade badly and as his cardio went, Manuwa found more and more openings in the striking game.

“It was the pace I put on him to close him down,” Manuwa said. “He’s the taller fighter and he fights long and everything. I put pressure on him and didn’t give him any space. That’s how I planned to fight him and it worked out.”

Manuwa’s knockout will be featured on UFC highlight reels for years. After tagging Saint Preux to the body, Manuwa went upstairs with a right hand, badly buckling his foe’s legs. He followed up with a short left hook, landing to the chin and leaving Saint Preux on the canvas with his leg tucked under his body.

For the fourteenth time in 16 professional victories, Manuwa had his hand raised after scoring a knockout. It’s the goal in every outing, he said.

“A knockout is always the plan for me,” Manuwa said. “I went for submissions today. But a knockout is always the plan for me.”

For complete coverage UFC 204, check out the UFC Events section of the site.