Yakhyaev ties second-fastest KO in UFC light heavyweight history with 8-second finish at Baku

Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev delivered one of the most explosive finishes in UFC light heavyweight history on Saturday, stopping Julius Walker with a single right hand just eight seconds into Round 1 at UFC Baku.

The undefeated Turkish fighter, now 10-0, tied James Irvin for the second-fastest knockout in UFC light heavyweight division history. Only Ryan Jimmo’s seven-second stoppage of Anthony Perosh in July 2012 stands ahead of him in the record books.

Yakhyaev entered the bout as one of the heaviest favourites on the card, having finished both Brendson Ribeiro and Raffael Cerqueira in the first round across his first two UFC appearances. He wasted no time against Walker, marching forward from the opening bell and landing a clubbing right hand that sent Walker to the canvas with no signs of recovery. Referee Jim Perdios called the stoppage immediately.

Walker, who fell to 7-3, had come in with an undefeated record of his own on the line, but Yakhyaev gave him no opportunity to settle into the fight.

In his post-fight speech, Yakhyaev called for a step up in competition — a request the UFC matchmakers will be hard-pressed to ignore after a performance that has placed him firmly among the division’s most dangerous prospects.