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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
21-year-old Michael McDonald established himself as a very real threat in the bantamweight division on Saturday night, knocking out former WEC Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres in the first round.
Despite the experience, age, and reach edge possessed by Torres, McDonald entered the cage supremely confident, and it showed early. Patiently gauging the timing and distance, McDonald connected on counter strikes throughout and pressed back on Torres when he overreached.
After one flurry had Torres covering up on the cage, McDonald continued to press the action. Then, in a big flurry in the center, McDonald connected on a vicious uppercut that turned the lights off for Torres. He crashed to the mat, and a few punches later the ref was in to stop the action.
The win was the eighth straight for McDonald, moving him to 15-1 overall already in his career. It was his second straight first round knockout, and his third straight win in the UFC. With who it came against, it's likely to move him quickly up the 135 lb. ladder.
Former Champion Torres is just 3-4 in his last seven fights after racking up a 37-1 mark. He's 2-2 inside the Octagon, and this marked just his second knockout loss.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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