Ilia Topuria moved up a weight class for this fight with Jai Herbert at UFC Fight Night 204 and might have been having doubts about that decision in the opening round as he got caught by some big shots by his much bigger opponent, but then in the second round he showed off his own punching power to score a devastating KO finish.
Round One:
Herbert feels out with the jab and then looks for a knee. They exchange punches and Herbert lands nicely.
Another exchange and Topuira lands a hook, but Herbert then drops Topuria with a head kick!
Topuira dazed but is able to grab hold of Herbert and drives back up to his feet. Now he gets Herbert over to the cage and starts to work for a takedown.
Herbert grabbing the cage to keep himself upright, but Topuira adjusts, picks him up and dumps him to the mat.
Topuira quickly trying to set up the crucifix position. Herbert able to bring him back to guard though.
Topuira is cut from that earlier head kick, but it’s not too bad for now. Eventually Herbert finds space to kick Topuira away and stand up.
Herbert immediately dangerous as he threatens with big strikes and his long limbs and accuracy is troubling him.
There’s a bit of a lull in the action but then Herbert steps in with another big knee and knocks Topuria’s mouthpiece.
The fight roars on with Herbert looking to land more big strikes and Topuria is having to dig deep here against the cage and is no doubt relieved when the horn sounds for the end of the round.
Round Two:
Overhand right from Topuria as Herbert is looking to land a kick. Straight right gets through for Herbert as his massive reach advantage continues to pay dividends.
Topuira bites down on his mouthpiece and throws with all his might into a big body shot and then a thunderous right hook behind it that folds Herbert to the mat in a heap, and Topuria walks off knowing there’s no coming back from that – huge comeback KO win for Topuria at 1.07mins of the second round!
