Themba Gorimbo (12-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) needed only 32 seconds to get the job done against Pete Rodriguez (5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) – and it’s likely somewhere his pal Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was watching.

Gorimbo starched Rodriguez for a quick TKO victory. A big right hand initially dropped Rodriguez in the welterweight bout. A bunch of follow-up punches finished off the job soon thereafter.

THEMBA GORIMBO ONLY NEEDED 30 SECONDS 😤 #UFCVegas85 pic.twitter.com/FGmECYREAZ

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 3, 2024

Randy Brown (18-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) scored arguably the most impressive finish of his octagon tenure against Muslim Salikhov (19-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in their welterweight bout.

Brown showed his striking is on the level of the much more decorated “King of Kung Fu” Salikhov with a flush 1-2 combination that led to a knockdown. “Rude Boy” landed one more shot on the ground before the referee stopped fight just over three minutes after it began.

RANDY BROWN WITH A BIG KO 👀 #UFCVegas85 pic.twitter.com/nNuSuJdQ8u

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 4, 2024

Dan Ige (18-7 MMA, 10-6 UFC) was hoping for a quick night at the office, and his wish was granted in his featherweight showdown with Andre Fili (23-11 MMA, 12-10 UFC).

The pair provided a fast pace from the start. Both darted in and out with quick movements as they searched for openings. As Fili threw out a pawing left jab, Ige came over the top with a powerful right hand that sent Fili crashing to the mat. Ige walked in and put in one more right hand to his downed opponent for good measure, and then walked off in celebration.

MESSAGE SENT FROM DAN IGE 😤 #UFCVegas86 pic.twitter.com/g49ExCdmck

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 11, 2024

Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) began a new chapter in featherweight history when he dethroned Alexander Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) in a violent manner that lined up with his pre-fight prediction.

Topuria joined a small group of fighters to claim gold with an undefeated record, and the first to do it at 145 pounds, with a second-round knockout victory over Volkanovski. “El Matador” closed the distance during an exchange and landed a huge right hand that floored the longtime titleholder and forced a changing of the guard.

HE IS KING 👑@TOPURIAILIA IS YOUR NEW FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD 🇪🇸🏆 🇬🇪 #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/eKRjZsP7yI

— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2024

Renan Ferreira (13-3) didn’t waste time cashing in his ticket for a future big payday in a massive showdown against Francis Ngannou by utterly starching Ryan Bader (31-8).

Ferreira sparked Bader with a hard right hand in an opening exchange. Bader fell to the canvas and Ferreira capitalized by raining hammerfists until the referee rushed in, waving the fight off just 21 seconds after it had began.

OH MY WORD 🤯

Renan Ferreira stops Ryan Bader in less than 30 seconds 🌬#PFLvsBellator | Live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/dnZOJ7Ntuw

— DAZN MMA (@daznmma) February 24, 2024

The winner

In the highly anticipated UFC 298 main event, Topuria made the most of his moment on the big stage when he knocked Volkanovski unconscious at the 3:32 mark of Round 2 to claim title gold at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

A massive right hand early from Topuria in Round 2 sealed the deal after a closely contested opening five minutes. As Volkanovski circled against the cage he walked directly into a left hand that shut the lights out.

Follow-up shots rained down, but weren’t necessary for the task at hand. Volkanovski laid unconscious on the canvas for a significant period of time before he rose to his feet to congratulate his opponent.

Topuria became the first Spanish and Georgian fighter to hold UFC gold. He’s believed by many to be a potential budding superstar for a market the UFC has not yet visited. UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell even flew to Spain ahead of the bout during negotiations with Topuria.