The UFC APEX made its consecutive appearance, warming up before Madison Square Garden’s numbered event.
Stunning knockouts and submissions were showcased at UFC Vegas 111, proving to be a successful event despite the low expectations fans had.
The main event confirmed that a welterweight prospect is to be feared after an emphatic victory and aggressive callout.
Here is everything that occurred with the multiple clashes of organised violence in the Octagon.
Bonfim earns first UFC knockout
The headliner was an anticipated watch between two fighters who have made a name for themselves in the 170lbs division.
Gabriel Bonfim was riding a three-fight win streak and entered the rankings after a split decision triumph over Stephen Thompson.
Randy Brown returned to the win column in his last bout after a stunning knockout victory over Nicolas Dalby.
In a battle that could have gone five rounds, it didn’t even last past two, despite being a striking contest.
In the second round, after a few wild exchanges, both men clinched as they looked for a sneaky attack.
The Brazilian landed a vicious knee, which sent Brown crashing to the mat, almost out cold, as he scored his first knockout win in the UFC.
‘Rudeboy’ protested the stoppage, believing that he had recovered before the referee stopped the fight.
Bonfim called out former interim champion and #10 contender, Colby Covington, threatening retirement to the American in what could be his next bout.
Morales becomes the next big flyweight prospect
In the co-main event, it was veteran vs newcomer in a rather hard-to-predict matchup at 125lbs.
Matt Schnell was hoping to begin a win streak after defeating Jimmy Flick by unanimous decision in his last fight.
Joseph Morales made his UFC return in his previous bout, winning season 33 of The Ultimate Fighter when he submitted Alibi Idiris.
Both fighters were skilled submission artists, so it was likely the bout would end with one of them tapping out.
After a couple of striking moments, Schnell attempted a takedown, which ultimately backfired.
Morales took the back and was teasing an armbar or kimura submission.
However, ‘Danger’ turned towards Morales, allowing ‘Bopo’ to set up a Guillotine Choke and make Schnell tap in the first round.
With back-to-back submission victories and a win over a former contender, the Fresno-born fighter has made himself the next hottest prospect at flyweight.
What else happened at UFC Vegas 111
Uros Medic earned his second consecutive first-round KO win as he stopped Muslim Salikhov.
‘The Doctor’ maintained his 100% finish rate and claimed his ninth first-round finish of his MMA career.
Chris Padilla remained unbeaten in the UFC after stopping Ismael Bonfim by second-round TKO.
The American extended his win streak to seven and could be competing for a position in the lightweight rankings next.
Christian Leroy Duncan displayed a spectacular second-round knockout against Marco Tulio, making him a bigger prospect at 185lbs.
Jamall Emmers went the distance with Hyder Amil to capture a convincing unanimous decision win.
In a close contest at bantamweight, Raoni Barcelos defeated Ricky Simon by unanimous decision, extending his triumphant streak to four.
Jacqueline Cavalcanti moves into the women’s bantamweight top 10 after beating Mayra Bueno Silva by unanimous decision.
Josh Hokit shone on his UFC debut after knocking out Max Gimenis in just 56 seconds of the first round.
Denise Gomes rises in the strawweight rankings after defeating Tecia Pennington by unanimous decision.
Daniel Marcos submitted Miles Johns with a Rear-Naked Choke in round two to return to the win column.
Zachary Reese made it unbeaten in three after submitting Jackson McVey with a second-round Rear-Naked Choke.