Liu Ce face-plants Rodrigues Jr. in first round to mark stunning UFC debut in Shanghai

Liu Ce made an immediate statement on his UFC debut, knocking out Levi Rodrigues Jr. in the first round of their main-card bout at UFC Shanghai on Saturday, sending the Brazilian face-first into the canvas with a devastating right hand.

The former K-1 kickboxing champion arrived in the octagon with just four MMA fights to his name, yet was installed as the favourite over Contender Series product Rodrigues Jr. — and he wasted little time justifying that billing.

The opening exchanges were anything but one-sided. Both men came out swinging from the opening bell, and Rodrigues Jr. made an early impression, landing power shots that visibly buzzed Liu and suggested the fight might not go to script. For a stretch, it looked like the underdog could pull off a surprise.

Midway through the round, however, the tide turned. Liu landed a crisp punch to the temple that buckled Rodrigues Jr.’s legs and put him on the canvas for the first time. Rodrigues Jr. beat the count and fired back with everything he had, cracking Liu with a couple of hard shots as he desperately tried to survive — but his legs remained unsteady beneath him.

Liu seized on the moment. Timing his finishing blow with precision, he uncorked a missile of a right hand that spun Rodrigues Jr. around and sent him crashing face-first to the mat, bringing the referee in to wave off the contest.

The finish capped a chaotic, high-drama round that showcased both Liu’s elite striking pedigree and his ability to absorb pressure and respond with composure. For a fighter making his promotional debut, it was a performance that will have put the rest of the UFC’s roster on notice.