Kevin Croom was as laid back as it gets for a fighter making his octagon debut on just about a day’s notice leading into Saturday’s showdown with Roosevelt Roberts at UFC on ESPN+ 35.
His performance showed why.
After smiling and combing his hair Friday during the pre-fight faceoff with an intense Roberts (21-12 MMA, 1-0 UFC), there were questions about how well Croom would fit in at the highest level of the sport.
He needed just 31 seconds to show that he does in fact belong, scoring a huge guillotine choke upset of Roberts (10-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC), who was stunned after coming into the fight as a -600 betting favorite.
Croom landed a huge left hook to start the fight, then latched on a modified guillotine choke that Roberts couldn’t escape from. Watch the replay of the finish below (via Twitter):
UPSET CITY 🗣@KevinCroom_MMA, welcome to the Octagon!
[ #UFCVegas10 – LIVE now on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/mPG9x6PL6e
— UFC (@ufc) September 12, 2020
The performance from Croom not only put him on the map in the UFC and exposed him to a whole new section of fans, it also put him in the record books, too. His win in 31 seconds was the fastest finish by a debuting lightweight in UFC history.
Many regard 155 pounds as the deepest division in the sport, and Croom just showed how truly unpredictable it can be – not bad for someone who accepted the fight Thursday.
UFC president Dana White said after the win that Croom is a lock for a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus (via Twitter):
Comment below and let me know who u think deserves a bonus at the end of the night. #UFCVegas10 is LIVE NOW on @espn+ pic.twitter.com/uXELw18ukE
— danawhite (@danawhite) September 12, 2020
