Video: “Alpha Ginger” Spike Carlyle wins UFC debut with wild elbow combination

Spike Carlyle sure made a statement for his first UFC bout.

The “Alpha Ginger” had a successful debut at UFC on ESPN+ 27 in Norfolk, Va. on Saturday night. The 26-year-old featherweight stopped Aalon Cruz with brutal elbows in the first round of their preliminary-card contest. The official stoppage came at the 1:25 mark.

Granted, some of the strikes in the finishing flurry seemed borderline, but there’s not denying this was an impressive performance.

With this result, Carlyle (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is now on a five-fight win streak. Watch the finish that got Carlyle his first win inside the octagon below.

ALPHA GINGER! What a debut for Spike Carlyle! #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/hbWeR7z3PC

— UFC (@ufc) February 29, 2020

UPDATE: Cruz’s management team clearly believes the finish occurred due to illegal strikes, and says they will file an appeal with Virginia’s athletic commission:

Appeal gets sent in Monday. 100% back of the head and also 12 to 6. There’s no question about it, this will be overturned to a no contest. https://t.co/5NacwK8gLh

— Daniel Rubenstein (@dannyrube) February 29, 2020

UFC on ESPN+ 27 takes place Saturday at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va. The card streams on ESPN+.