Bilal Hasan could be the next big thing in the UFC flyweight division.
The recent Dana White Contender Series standout made a spectacular debut at UFC Shanghai, first walking out with a Michael Jackson-inspired entrance on what would have been Jackson’s 68th birthday, and then delivering a thrilling performance capped off by a one-punch knockout over Nilson Rojas.
Watch the amazing finish below.
Hasan and Rojas both entered Saturday’s event with spotless 9-0 records, but Hasan was the more hyped prospect after earning a UFC contract on DWCS just 18 days ago. “The IndoNinja” didn’t notch another sub-one-minute knockout, but he showed plenty of the exciting striking that has fans drooling over the 25-year-old Hasan’s potential.
Rojas was a game opponent, showing off solid boxing as he worked to get inside on the speedy Hasan, but Hasan was clearly a step ahead after the opening five minutes as he battered Rojas with laser-sharp kicks and fast counters, and even a little ground-and-pound. In Round 2, Hasan zeroed in and caught Rojas with a booming right hand that ended the contest, with the official time of the stoppage coming 2:28 into the period.
For his entrance, Hasan danced down to the cage to the tune of Jackson’s classic song Billie Jean, and then just as he did on Contender Series, hit some more “King of Pop” moves to celebrate.
With the win, Hasan improved to 10-0 with eight of those wins coming by way of knockout.
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