VIDEO: Knockout of the year?! Brazilian sends the favorite to dreamland with a knee and makes his UFC debut

UFC 283 was the first numbered tournament of the year, and those who chose to follow only the main card can only regret it. The early prelims and prelims featured some great fights as well as a few finishes. One of them may be in the running for KO of the year.

Rio de Janeiro was the site of the first numbered tournament of the year. UFC 283 was accompanied by the traditionally sensational, almost football-like atmosphere. And not to mention, the gala was a showcase for Brazilian fighters.

One of them was Ismael Bonfim. His name doesn’t ring a bell? That’s understandable. He was just making his UFC debut last night. However, he made sure he was the talk of the town.

At 27 years old, the Brazilian has 22 fights under his belt and an impressive 19-3 record. He has won his 13th consecutive fight under the roof of the best organization in the world. But what a one!

His opponent was Terrance McKinney, who had his fifth fight in the UFC. But his experience with the world’s best didn’t show against Bonfim. In fact, it was Bonfim who dictated the pace from the start.

The Brazilian made his way to the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series and even so. He could be an interesting revival for the lightweight division. McKinney himself felt it.

In fact, Bonfim finished his opponent, who was a favorite among other things, with an exhibition knee in the first round, specifically at 2:17.

The Brazilian quite possibly provided one of the best knockouts of 2023 right at the very beginning. At the very least, he definitely deserves a nomination.

The slow motion of the entire ending just proves what a great shutdown it was.

Source: UFC, Sherdog