Thomas Ameida had promised an early finish in his UFC Fight Night in Sau Paulo and he was true to his word.
The home favouite took on Anthony Birchak in one of the major fights of the evening, but fans expecting a test of endurance were left stunned by the Brazilian’s devastating finish.
Undefeated in 21 fights now, and coming into last night with 15 KO’s, the bantamweight was the strong favourite but didn’t get it all his own way until the final moments of the opening round when he unleashed some devastating strikes against his opponent.
He pounded into the soft flesh of Birchak’s head, and as the American stumbled against the cage, Almeida finished him off with a left hook and right cross.
Dana White isn’t wrong with his assertion that we are seeing the brightest star in UFC continue his rise to the very top.
Almeida is nasty! This kid is 21-0 now and another vicious KO. pic.twitter.com/JcNexfLBC1
— danawhite (@danawhite) November 8, 2015
And plenty of people agreed with the impressive perfmromance
Congratulations Thominhas Almeida!
A fight against anyone from #chuteboxe is violent danawhiteufc this is why… https://t.co/NQj5xvaFC9
— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) November 8, 2015
That was a ridiculous knockout! You can't fight Almeida in a shootout. Gotta be slow and controlled. That's how I win that match-up.#UFCSP
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 8, 2015
21 wins, 0 losses with 20 finishes for @ThomasalmeidaCB 😱 #UFCSP
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) November 8, 2015