UFC welterweight Rhys McKee earned his first Octagon win in style at UFC Vegas 105.
Rhys McKee lost tough fights to Alex Morono and Khamzat Chimaev earlier in his MMA career, but earned his first UFC win by turning his opponent’s face into a bloody mess.
McKee and UFC first-timer Daniel Frunza set up an intriguing welterweight showdown on the UFC Vegas 105 prelims on Saturday. Frunza earned a UFC contract via Dana White’s Contender Series in September, earning five consecutive stoppage victories to secure a spot on the welterweight roster.
But tonight belonged to McKee, who captured his first UFC victory with the performance of his life.
Rhys McKee floors Daniel Frunza four times in the first round at UFC Vegas 105
It didn’t take long for McKee to show off his wealth of experience inside the Octagon against the UFC newcomer Frunza. Just seconds into the fight, McKee dropped Frunza with a slick right hand to the body, followed by a left up top.
McKee continued to pressure Frunza with his jab and right hand as the first round played out, notching four knockdowns in the opening round. To Frunza’s credit, he aimed to keep fighting, despite numerous near-finishes from McKee.
Frunza made it to the horn after a frantic first round, but deep cuts to his lip and cheek led the doctor to wave off the fight. It was McKee’s first UFC victory and first stoppage win in almost two years.
It was an astounding performance from the former Cage Warriors titleholder McKee in his second stint in the UFC. After earning the CW welterweight title, McKee was re-signed to the UFC, losing back-to-back decisions to Chidi Njokuani and Ange Loosa.
But McKee rose to the occasion at UFC Vegas 105 despite entering the fight with Frunza as a slight underdog. Under immense pressure and a big spotlight, McKee secured his UFC roster spot with a brutal finish.
UFC fans call for female star’s release after flat performance at UFC Vegas 105
McKee’s win snapped a streak of four straight decisions to start the UFC Vegas 105 card. In the event’s opening fight, UFC strawweight Vanessa Demopoulos dropped a lopsided decision to Talita Alencar that had fans calling for her release.
In McKee’s first UFC stint, he dropped a first-round TKO finish to Chimaev at UFC Fight Island 3. Chimaev is expected to get the next middleweight title shot against Dricus du Plessis.
UFC Vegas 105 was headlined by a featherweight matchup between Josh Emmett and Lerone Murphy.
