Márcio Barbosa needed just 80 seconds to make a statement in his UFC debut, blasting Dennis Bazukja with a one-punch knockout on Saturday night at UFC Winnipeg.
The 27-year-old finisher ended the bout at 1:20 of the first round, landing a single left hook that sent Bazukja crashing to the canvas. The referee stepped in immediately after the knockdown to wave off the fight.
After the win, Barbosa said, "I visualized all of this" and added, "I’m such a dedicated fighter. I train so hard. I came in, I’m going to be a champion at this division. Wherever this hand goes, nobody is going to get up from it."
Barbosa entered UFC Winnipeg riding a streak of four consecutive first-round knockouts, including the finish on The Contender Series that secured his UFC contract, and is known for his fight-finishing power.
