Jorge Masvidal moves up in weight, scores first-round TKO
Jorge Masvidal proved game as ever in moving up a weight class and stopping Cezar "Mutante" Ferreira in the first round with ground strikes. Masvidal lost a controversial close decision in April to Al Iaquinta and then decided to fight again with little rest, and up a class from lightweight to welterweight.
What's more, Ferreira came down from his usual middleweight to fight the American Top Team fighter in this 170-pound contest. The size difference between the two was stark, from the start.
Ferreira used that size and strength, along with good timing, to duck under a big right hand from Masvidal and score a double-leg takedown. Masvidal worked for a get-up and landed a right punch to the head on separation.
The Floridian followed up with more right hands, prompting Ferreira to attempt more takedowns. Masvidal defended those, however, but still found himself pressed against the fence.
All he needed was a little separation to land a nasty left elbow strike to the face of Ferreira. Follow-up punches sent the Brazilian reeling backwards, onto the mat.
As Masvidal followed up with more strikes, the referee was forced to stop the fight at 4:22 of the first round. The win prompted chants of "ATT! ATT!" from the Ultimate Fighter Finale crowd.
"It feels goot to get a knockout," Masvidal said, afterwards.
"I knew it was a matter of time. At this weight, I feel like I have an incredible gas tank."
