LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 11: (L-R) Cesar Almeida of Brazil punches Abdul Razak Alhassan of Ghana in a middleweight struggle through the UFC Combat Evening occasion at UFC APEX on January 11, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC through Getty Photos)
Middleweights Cesar Almeida and Abdul Razak Alhassan threw down on the UFC Vegas 101 foremost card on Saturday, with former kickboxing champ Almeida trying to enhance to 3-1 beneath the UFC banner.
Whereas Almeida’s MMA expertise was on the lighter aspect, including in his kickboxing prowess, he was a slight favourite over Alhassan, who had over eight years expertise within the UFC.
Almeida circled early on the surface touchdown a couple of strong leg kicks. Alhassan pressed ahead throwing wild proper fingers however Almeida protected himself properly. Almeida began opening up with kicks to the physique, earlier than defending a takedown try from Alhassan. Almeida briefly stood in entrance of Alhassan and obtained clipped with a straight proper hand, knocking him down. Almeida then scrambled to his toes and regained his composure. Alhassan pushed ahead attempting to complete the struggle and ran right into a viscous left hook that knocked him out chilly.
Some of the violent knockouts you’ll ever see, Alhassan was out for a substantial period of time. The previous Glory kickboxer made an announcement with this monster win over a real veteran of the game. Regaining his composure and touchdown a deadly knockout shot reveals simply how affected person and composed Almeida is on the toes. Almeida might have restricted expertise in MMA however he’s massively proficient and has large potential at 185 kilos.
In his submit struggle interview Almeida was elated together with his efficiency and expressed a want to struggle in Brazil. With different kickboxing stars like Alex Pereira crossing over to MMA with huge success, look out for Almeida to stand up the rankings in 2025.
Official Outcome: Cesar Almeida def. Abdul Razak Alhassan by KO, Spherical 1, 4:16
