LAS VEGAS – Umar Nurmagomedov remains undefeated after picking up a brutal knockout finish over Raoni Barcelos.
Nurmagomedov (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) didn’t rush things against Barcelos (17-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC), but the knockout still came in the closing seconds at 4:40 of the first round.
The bantamweight bout opened up the UFC Fight Night 217 main card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The pair exchanged range-finding punches and kicks early. Nurmagomedov’s primary attack was front kicks and snappy head kicks as Barcelos stayed in range offering a few punches of his own. In the latter half of the round, Nurmagomedov’s striking set the tone while evading a pair of Barcelos’ takedown attempts.
Just when it felt like the fight would reach the second round, Nurmagomedov changed everything out of nowhere.
After stepping in with a kick to the body, Nurmagomedov followed through with a crisp left hook that caught Barcelos clean on the jaw, sending him crashing to the mat. Barcelos was completely out on the way down, and Nurmagomedov landed a couple of hammerfists before referee Jason Herzog rushed in.
Check out video of the finish below (via Twitter):
OUT. OF. NOWHERE!!!!!!!
[ @UNmgdv | #UFCVegas67 | Live on ESPN+ ] pic.twitter.com/yxQSPU4lQG
— UFC (@ufc) January 15, 2023
During his post-fight interview, Nurmagomedov immediately apologized for the follow-up punches, as he said he was not aware Barcelos was completely out. He then turned his attention to calling out anyone who wants to compete against him in March.
Nurmagomedov remains undefeated in his pro career as he picks up his fourth win under the UFC banner. He has finished three of his opponents in the promotion, including two first-round finishes. As expected due to recent reports, his cousin UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, was notably absent from his corner.
Barcelos, who won a unanimous decision over Trevin Jones in his previous outing, leaves with his third loss in the promotion and his fourth overall in his professional career.
Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 217 results include:
- Umar Nurmagomedov def. Raoni Barcelos via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 4:40
- Javid Basharat def. Mateus Mendonca via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Abdul Razak Alhassan def. Claudio Ribeiro via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 0:28
- Mateusz Rebecki def. Nick Fiore via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
- Allan Nascimento def. Carlos Hernandez via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:16
- Daniel Argueta def. Nick Aguirre via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Charles Johnson def. Jimmy Flick via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:33
