Ibo Aslan destroys Rafael Cerqueira in 51 seconds

Ibo Aslan waited six months to return to the cage, but once he got there it took him just 51 seconds.

In the featured prelims Saturday at UFC 308, Aslan (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) stopped Rafael Cerqueira (11-1 MMA, 0-1). UFC) with punches that set up a first-round TKO stoppage. The light heavyweight bout took place at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

Aslan caught Cerqueira with a punch that sent the Brazilian backwards. As Cerqueira covered himself up, Aslan relentlessly tore his body and head open. Cerqueira was badly hit by several shots to the head and was finally saved while standing by referee Marc Goddard.

IBO ASLAN WITH THE QUICK FINISH 💥 #UFC308 pic.twitter.com/d3jMguofHZ

– ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 26, 2024

Aslan referred to his hands as “Turkish power” after the fight and repeatedly warned the rest of the light heavyweight division. Saturday's appearance comes six months after his brilliant debut in a Fight of the Night knockout victory over Anton Turkalj.

Cerqueira loses for the first time as a professional. He was actually scheduled to fight on Dana White's Contender Series weeks earlier, but was hit directly by a UFC shot.

Current UFC 308 results include:

• Ibo Aslan defeated. Rafael Cerqueira via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:51
• Geoff Neal defeated. Rafael dos Anjos via TKO (injury) – Round 1, 1:30
• Mateusz Rebecki defeated. Myktybek Orolbai by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Abus Magomedov defeated. Brunno Ferreira via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 3, 3:14
• Kennedy Nzechukwu defeated. Chris Barnett via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:27
• Farid Basharat defeated. Victor Hugo by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Ismail Naurdiev defeated. Bruno Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Rinat Fakhretdinov defeated. Carlos Leal by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 308 event hub.