Did Mairon Santos Win UFC 313? A Look At The Fight Against Francis Marshall

Rajiv Sharma

5 min read

Post on May 19, 2025

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Pre-Fight Expectations and Fighter Profiles

Before the clash at UFC 313, both Mairon Santos and Francis Marshall presented intriguing profiles. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses is crucial to analyzing the fight's outcome.

Mairon Santos: Known for his aggressive Mairon Santos fighting style, Santos boasts a solid Santos UFC record built on powerful striking and a relentless pace. His strengths lay in his explosive power punches and his ability to maintain a high fight tempo. However, his defensive grappling could be exploited by a more skilled submission artist. His Mairon Santos UFC career trajectory hinted at significant potential.

• Strengths: Explosive striking, high fight pace, powerful punches.
• Weaknesses: Defensive grappling, potential stamina issues in later rounds.

Francis Marshall: Francis Marshall MMA experience showcased a more calculated approach. While lacking Santos' raw power, Marshall UFC stats indicated a strong ground game and a knack for controlling the pace. His strategic approach and superior grappling skills made him a formidable opponent.

• Strengths: Strong grappling, strategic fighting, excellent control.
• Weaknesses: Less powerful striking compared to Santos, potential vulnerability to explosive counters.

Pre-fight UFC 313 predictions were varied, with odds slightly favoring Mairon Santos due to his knockout power. However, Marshall's grappling prowess made him a dangerous underdog in the Mairon Santos vs Francis Marshall odds.

A Round-by-Round Breakdown of the Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall Fight

Let's break down the fight round by round to understand how the victory was ultimately decided.

Round 1

The first round saw Santos immediately press forward, utilizing his superior Mairon Santos round 1 highlights of quick strikes and aggressive pressure. Marshall, however, skillfully avoided many of the power shots, focusing on maintaining distance and looking for takedown opportunities. While Santos landed some significant strikes, Marshall successfully secured a late takedown, ending the round with some ground control.

• Key Moments: Santos' early aggression, Marshall's successful takedown.
• Scoring: Likely a slight edge to Santos for significant strikes landed, but Marshall's takedown and control made it a close round.

Round 2

Round 2 continued the pattern established in Round 1. Santos, seemingly tired from his initial flurry, relied more on single strikes, giving Marshall more opportunities to clinch and control. Marshall utilized his superior wrestling to bring the fight to the ground multiple times, securing significant control time. Francis Marshall UFC 313 performance in this round was impressive.

• Key Moments: Marshall's consistent takedowns and ground control.
• Scoring: Clear round for Marshall due to consistent control and top position.

Round 3

The final round, UFC 313 round 3, saw a change in tactics. Santos, perhaps sensing the need for a finish, went all-in for a knockout. While he landed some heavy strikes, Marshall weathered the storm, utilizing his grappling defense and occasionally returning to the ground to sap Santos' energy. The final minute saw a scramble where neither fighter could gain a decisive advantage, leading to a close end to the Mairon Santos vs Francis Marshall final round.

• Key Moments: Santos' desperate push for a knockout, Marshall's resilience and takedown defense.
• Scoring: While Santos landed heavier strikes, Marshall's consistent control and defense possibly negated them in the judges' eyes.

The Judges' Decision and Post-Fight Analysis

The judges' scores for the Mairon Santos vs Francis Marshall fight at UFC 313 judges scores were announced as 29-28, 29-28, and 28-29, resulting in a split decision victory for Francis Marshall. This created some Mairon Santos fight controversy, with some fans and analysts believing Santos deserved the win due to the perceived damage he inflicted with his strikes.

The Mairon Santos fight analysis afterward pointed to his inability to maintain his initial aggressive pace, leading to a decline in effectiveness later in the fight. Marshall’s superior grappling and control proved crucial, dictating a larger portion of the fight's total time. There was no significant Mairon Santos win UFC 313 argument to be made based on the official decision. The UFC 313 scoring debate showed that the judges’ criteria were not entirely clear and consistent. No notable Mairon Santos post fight interview nor Francis Marshall post fight interview emerged immediately to publicly challenge the decision.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Francis Marshall defeated Mairon Santos via split decision at UFC 313. While Santos showed explosive power and aggression early, Marshall’s superior wrestling, control, and strategic approach ultimately secured him the victory. The fight highlighted the importance of maintaining a strategic approach throughout the entire fight, as opposed to relying only on raw power. The outcome had significant implications for both fighters' future careers, with both now likely facing different challenges and opportunities based on their performance at UFC 313.

Want to learn more about other exciting UFC fights? Check out our other articles analyzing key matchups and fighters! Search "UFC highlights" to find more detailed analyses. Learn more about Mairon Santos UFC career or Francis Marshall's next fight!