Stipe Miocic needed only 35 seconds to end Fabio Maldonado’s night. Any bettors who placed a wager on Maldonado winning at +535 may need to invest in a different hobby.

Maldonado jumped up from light-heavyweight on short notice to replace the injured Junior dos Santos. Miocic came to the middle of the octagon and immediately wobbled him with a combination. Maldonado backed up on the fence and covered his face with his hands only to realize Miocic did not follow him there.

Miocic was waiting for Maldonado to reset his stance and once he did, he dropped him with a big right hand. Miocic postured over him and repeatedly slammed his fist onto the skull of Maldonado and the referee saw enough at that point. Miocic won the fight by way of technical knockout in less than a minute.

When you are taking a fight with someone in the weight class above you, standing and trading with them may not be the best strategy. Hopefully this was a one-off mistake for Maldonado and he will make a successful return to the octagon in his natural weight class at light heavyweight.

Stipe Miocic def. Fabio Maldonado by way of TKO (Punches) :35 of Round 1