Latvian-Canadian Misha Cirkunov made his return to the light heavyweight division on Saturday, paired up with the physically imposing Alonzo Menifield.
It was a rude welcome back at the UFC Apex, however, with the fight taking less than a minute and a half to play out before Cirkunov was put out cold.
While Cirkunov opened with a kick, Menifield pressed forward with a power shot, and as expected, the big men went right at it. A pair of heavy blows were traded just after; Menifield took another big swing, and Cirkunov changed levels for a takedown that was not completed. In a clinch, Menifield fought off another attempt to get the fight down. Cirkunov found success with his jab early, while Menifield posed a danger with his right hand.
Moments later, Menifield closed out the fight with a lunging left hand. A right uppercut followed, and Cirkunov fell to his back. Hammer fists followed, one then two as Cirkunov’s head bounced off the canvas. The ref dove in to make the save, and that was all she wrote.
For Alonzo Menifield, that’s two straight wins, and against a much higher level opponent this time out. Earlier this year, he picked up a victory over the controversial Askar Mozharov.
Official Result: Alonzo Menifield def. Misha Cirkumov by knockout, Round 1, 1:28
