Rising UFC star Song Yadong put Marlon Moraes' lights out with a first-round knockout shot
- Song Yadong showed that accuracy can be as important as power in his Saturday win.
- The fast-rising fighter hit his UFC opponent with a shot that separated him from his senses.
LAS VEGAS — Rising MMA star Song Yadong put Marlon Moraes' lights out with a first-round knockout shot Saturday in the middle of the UFC Fight Night event which was held inside the Apex in Las Vegas.
Song stamped his authority on the fight early in the opening round as he hit Moraes with heavy right hands.
He then threw a head kick which Moraes blocked.
Monments later another right hand landed with such accuracy it separated Moraes from his senses and he dropped to the canvas.
Though Moraes was not knocked out cold, he was clearly in a bad way, dazed, and confused. And so the referee Keith Peterson stepped in to wave the bout off at the two-minute, six-second mark.
Watch Yadong's finish right here:
With victory, Yadong advanced his pro MMA record to 19 wins (eight knockouts, three submissions, and eight decisions) against five losses, one draw, and one no decision.
The entire UFC Fight Night card was filled with action.
A Russian MMA fighter called Azamat Murzakanov finished his opponent with a flying knee and a shove in a UFC debut to remember.
A veteran UFC fighter nicknamed 'Ninja' obliterated his opponent with a merciless barrage of strikes, Cody Brundage overcame a striking onslaught to submit Dalcha Lungiambula in a rollercoaster slobberknocker, and Drew Dober came back wildly from a near-knockout to score a thumping win of his own.
Elsewhere, an American called Khalil Rountree Jr. beat Karl Roberson like he was owed money, before giving an emotional speech about how he overcame depression to be where he is today.
A light heavyweight match between Thiago Santos and Magomed Ankalaev topped the UFC Fight Night event, which was broadcast in its entirety on ESPN+.