UFC Fight Island 8 video: Ike Villanueva crushes Vinicius Moreira with vicious one-punch knockout

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC Ike Villanueva knew his back was against the wall heading into UFC Fight Island 8 off two straight losses and he delivered a jaw-dropping knockout to ensure he’d still have a job on Sunday.
The hard-hitting light heavyweight needed just a single right hand that snapped opponent Vinicius Moreira’s head around and sent him crashing to the canvas in a heap. As soon as Moreira hit the ground, Villaneuva just threw his hands up in celebration as he recognized the fight was already over.
The stoppage came at just 39 seconds into the second round.
“Years of hard work,” Villanueva said while celebrating his first UFC win. “I had the ugliest year last year. You can’t stop a blue collar Mexican that’s ready to work.
“I knew it was going to come, it was just a matter of time. That’s what got me to the UFC, that overhand right.”
Villanueva was definitely offensive minded as the fight got started but he showed better patience while launching heavy shots at Moreira’s head. The Brazilian showed solid defense but he wasn’t doing much to deter Villanueva from coming after him with heavy pressure.
With Moreira’s hands held high, Villanueva started to recognize the body was wide open and while he went to the midsection a few times, it was clear he wanted a knockout while mostly targeting the head with his power punches.
As the second round got started, Moreira started throwing with a little more aggression but that’s ultimately what made him pay. Just when he decided to step forward with a kick followed by a punch, Villanueva made him pay with the right hand that ended the fight in spectacular fashion.
It was a much needed win for Villanueva as he gets back on track following a tough start to his UFC career while Moreira drops to 0-4 inside the octagon.


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