LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 11: (L-R) Cesar Almeida of Brazil punches Abdul Razak Alhassan of Ghana in a middleweight battle in the course of the UFC Struggle Night time occasion at UFC APEX on January 11, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Photographs)
Middleweights Cesar Almeida and Abdul Razak Alhassan threw down on the UFC Vegas 101 foremost card on Saturday, with former kickboxing champ Almeida seeking to enhance to 3-1 below the UFC banner.
Whereas Almeida’s MMA expertise was on the lighter aspect, including in his kickboxing prowess, he was a slight favourite over Alhassan, who had over eight years expertise within the UFC.
Almeida circled early on the skin touchdown just a few stable leg kicks. Alhassan pressed ahead throwing wild proper arms however Almeida protected himself properly. Almeida began opening up with kicks to the physique, earlier than defending a takedown try from Alhassan. Almeida briefly stood in entrance of Alhassan and bought clipped with a straight proper hand, knocking him down. Almeida then scrambled to his toes and regained his composure. Alhassan pushed ahead making an attempt to complete the battle and ran right into a viscous left hook that knocked him out chilly.
One of the crucial violent knockouts you’ll ever see, Alhassan was out for a substantial period of time. The previous Glory kickboxer made a press release with this monster win over a real veteran of the game. Regaining his composure and touchdown a deadly knockout shot exhibits simply how affected person and composed Almeida is on the toes. Almeida could have restricted expertise in MMA however he’s massively gifted and has super potential at 185 kilos.
In his publish battle interview Almeida was elated along with his efficiency and expressed a need to battle in Brazil. With different kickboxing stars like Alex Pereira crossing over to MMA with large success, look out for Almeida to stand up the rankings in 2025.
Official Outcome: Cesar Almeida def. Abdul Razak Alhassan by KO, Spherical 1, 4:16
