RIO DE JANEIRO – Ismael Bonfim shined when the lights were brightest.
In his promotional debut at UFC 283, Bonfim (19-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) served up a ridiculous flying knee, which knocked opponent Terrance McKinney (13-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) unconscious on the preliminary card at Jenuesse Arena on Saturday. The official time of the stoppage came at 2:17 of Round 2.
Bonfim, 27, impressed on Dana White’s Contender Series in September and carried that momentum into his first UFC bout. In Round 1, Bonfim showed off slick striking as he tagged McKinney on multiple occasions. McKinney hung tough and ended up on top when the fight hit the ground, but couldn’t muster up much offense.
In Round 2, Bonfim continued to pull away. After he knocked McKinney’s mouthpiece out with a punch, Bonfim leaped and landed a switch knee that drilled McKinney directly in the chin. McKinney was out on his feet and crashed awkwardly to the canvas on his neck.
When Bruce Buffer read the decision, McKinney was up and moving under his own power.
Ismael Bonfim's flying knee is the early clubhouse leader for Knockout of the Year. 😳#UFC283 results: https://t.co/DY2bEBW8n3 pic.twitter.com/osBSLIW00I
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 22, 2023
Bonfim’s victory came three fights before his brother, Gabriel Bonfim, debuts against Mounir Lazzez. The victory was his 13th in a row.
McKinney, 28, a highly popular lightweight, now falls to 1-2 in his most recent three. All five of his UFC bouts have ended inside the distance, with Saturday’s being the longest.
The up-to-the-minute UFC 283 results include:
- Ismael Bonfim def. Terrance McKinney via knockout (flying knee) – Round 2, 2:17
- Nicolas Dalby def. Warlley Alves via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Josiane Nunes def. Zarah Fairn via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Daniel Marcos def. Saimon Oliveira via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 2:18
