Last night, on the main card of the UFC’s anticipated debut in Fresno, California, former World Series of Fighting bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes stepped into the cage to battle long-time contender Aljamain Sterling.
Since joining the UFC roster, Moraes has looked good, but not great, losing a close decision to Raphael Assuncao before winning a close decision over John Dodson. Last night, that changed, as he authored an absolutely hellacious knockout of Sterling.
This KO, which went down in the first round, occurred as Sterling overreached for a takedown. With expert timing, Moraes planted a knee on his foe’s face, lulling him to sleep in an instant for a perfect, walk-off finish.
KNEE GAME PROPER! Marlon Moraes with the absurd KO knee on Aljamain Sterling! #UFCFresno https://t.co/Wn9Q0ul7fz
advertisement – continue reading below— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) December 10, 2017
Unsurprisingly, Marlon Moraes’ incredible knockout win generated lots of excitement among the MMA community.
Here are some of the best reactions:
HOLY SHIT😱😱😱😱 @MMARLONMORAES with the KILL! #UFCFresno
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) December 10, 2017
Oh my god
advertisement – continue reading below— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) December 10, 2017
Come to Jesus KO lawddddd #UFCFresno
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 10, 2017
I hope Sterling is ok, that was a nasty KO 🙏 #UFCFresno
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 10, 2017
Aljo got caught reaching and ate a flush knee. Damn. Hope he’s okay. #UFCFresno
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) December 10, 2017
That was such a brutal knockout!!
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) December 10, 2017
Jeeeeeeesus #UFCFresno
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) December 10, 2017
😶
— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) December 10, 2017
Jesus fucking Christ. That knee KO from Moraes felled Sterling like a tree!!#UFCFresno
— Nicolas Dalby (@DalbyMMA) December 10, 2017
Wow!! Hope Sterling is ok #UFCFresno
— Devin Clark (@brownbearC) December 10, 2017
Damn…What a knock out!! Any one else notice the dab while he was stiff 😳😳
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) December 10, 2017
Oh my that was just…… wow! @ufc #UFCFresno
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) December 10, 2017
What do you think of Marlon Moraes big knockout win in Fresno?
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 7/12/2017.