UFC Macau: Rodrigo Vera Starches Opponent In Short-Notice Debut With Round 1 KO
Rodrigo Vera could not have asked for a better UFC debut.
Stepping into the Octagon on short notice at UFC Macau, the Peruvian standout wasted little time making an impression, scoring a blistering first-round stoppage victory over former Road to UFC winner Zhu Kangjie on Saturday at Galaxy Arena.
Vera looked composed from the opening bell and immediately took control of the action. The 30-year-old consistently beat Zhu to the punch during the early exchanges before finding the fight-ending shot less than two minutes into the contest.
A perfectly timed left hook landed flush on the Chinese fighter’s chin, sending him crashing to the canvas. “El Gato Loco” quickly swarmed with follow-up strikes, forcing the referee to intervene at the 1:50 mark of Round 1.
Earlier this year, “El Gato Loco” fell short of earning a spot on Season 34 of “The Ultimate Fighter”, as neither Michael Bisping nor Daniel Cormier selected him for their team.
With the win, Rodrigo Vera improves his professional record to 22-1-1 and extends his remarkable winning streak to 14 consecutive fights, firmly establishing himself as a new name to watch in the Octagon.
