Glover Teixeira knocked out former champion Rashad Evans in quick fashion at UFC on FOX 19 in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Teixeira used a left hook to knock down Evans, then a right hand that crumpled Evans on the mat, forcing the referee to stop the contest 108 seconds into the opening frame.
It was a disappointing performance for Evans, who was looking to reaffirm his place in the top-5 of the light-heavyweight division.
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos and Omari Akhmdov secured Fight-of-the-Night while Teixeira and Michael Chiesa earned performance bonuses. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Kenai Andrews checks in:
Courtesy UFC/Zuffa LLC.
MAIN CARD
#6 CUB SWANSON VS #10 HACRAN DIAS
Cub Swanson punches Hacran Dias in their featherweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Amalie Arena on April 16, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
WINNER: CUB SWANSON VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CUB SWANSON VIA TKO
Andrews: Dias had a good first round, but Swanson’s striking took control in the second and third. Great performance for a guy who hasn’t fought in about a year.
#2 KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV VS DARRELL HORCHER
Khabib Nurmagomedov (top) punches Darrell Horcher in their lightweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Amalie Arena on April 16, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
WINNER: KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV VIA TKO R2 3:38
ANDREWS PREDICTION: KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Horcher put up a good fight, taking the fight on nine (9) days notice, but eventually The Eagle took him down and worked the mounted crucifix where the ref was forced to stop it. Good performances by both fighters.
#3 ROSE NAMAJUNAS VS #4 TECIA TORRES
Rose Namajunas punches Tecia Torres in their women’s strawweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Amalie Arena on April 16, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
WINNER: ROSE NANAJUNAS VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TECIA TORRES VIA SPLIT- DECISION
Andrews: I thought Tecia won. She has the style to frustrate Namajunas and she did it again tonight. Utilizing her footwork, she got in the pocket, landed and got out. But the judges were more impressed with Rose and her takedowns. Good performances by both fighters.
MAIN EVENT
#4 GLOVER TEIXEIRA VS #9 RASHAD EVANS
Glover Teixeira punches Rashad Evans in their light heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Amalie Arena on April 16, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
WINNER: GLOVER TEIXEIRA VIA TKO R1 1:48
ANDREWS PREDICTION: GLOVER TEIXEIRA VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Glover knocked out Rashad just like how a younger Suga knocked out Chuck Liddell years ago. I think its time for Rashad to consider hanging them up. Excellent performance by Teixeira.
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