Cody Garbrandt Scores First-Round KO of Thomas Almeida in UFC Fight Night Headliner

Cody Garbrandt GOT HIM. Down goes Thomas Almeida in the first!#UFCVegas https://t.co/Qiu0RnA8px

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) May 30, 2016 Cody Garbrandt has officially graduated from prospect status to budding contender. The Team Alpha Male product completely overwhelmed fellow unbeaten Thomas Almeida in the UFC Fight Night “Almeida vs. Garbrandt” headliner, knocking out the Brazilian star in the opening round of their encounter at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday night. The end came 2:53 into the first frame, giving Garbrandt his sixth first-round finish and second in the UFC. “I know I’m the hardest hitter in the division,” Garbrandt (9-0, 4-0 UFC) said. “I’ll knock anybody out in the division. Dominick Cruz, whoever.” In addition to power, Garbrandt demonstrated patience in his dismantling of Almeida (20-1, 4-1 UFC). “No Love” stunned his opponent with a left hook earlier in the opening stanza, but he did not get reckless as Almeida attempted to answer the salvo during a wild exchange. Shortly thereafter, Garbrandt blasted Almeida with a pair of right hands, the second of which sent his foe tumbling to the canvas. The Cleveland native followed up with a pair of hammerfists before referee John McCarthy intervened on Almeida’s behalf. “I have the utmost respect for Thomas Almeida. He’s gonna be a future champion,” Garbrandt said. “Can I get some respect now? I wasn’t even ranked in the top 15.” Related » UFC Fight Night Round-by-Round Scoring Stephens Spoils Barao’s Featherweight Debut Jeremy Stephens gave Renan Barao a rough introduction to the UFC’s featherweight division. In an entertaining slugfest with a couple key momentum swings, Stephens consistently landed the cleaner, harder shots to earn a unanimous verdict over the former 135-pound king in the evening’s co-main event. All three judges saw the fight 29-28 in favor of “Lil’ Heathen.” “Barao’s a true champion,” Stephens said. “I just don’t think he should be here at 145 pounds messing with me.” Barao looked quite comfortable in his new home in round one, as he repeatedly beat his opponent to the punch while switching stances and moving in and out of Stephen’s striking range. The momentum shifted when Stephens (25-12, 12-11 UFC) blasted Barao (33-4, 8-3 UFC) with a massive right uppercut in round two, and from there, the …

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