Emanuel Newton promised to "shock the world" at the Bellator 90 weigh-ins yesterday in advance of his Bellator 90 co-main event against Muhammed Lawal.
Lawal's response? "You ain't Ali."
Well after tonight, Newton has some serious bragging rights after knocking "King Mo" senseless in the first round.
Lawal came out looking to counter Newton's aggression, waiting flat-footed in the cage center as the former MFC light heavyweight champion pressed the action with some left jabs and high kicks.
At first, Lawal was able to avoid damage, but then he started to drop his left hand and Newton began to land his jabs. After finding some success with his left hand, Newton gained confidence and threw with a bit more zip on his punches, which actually opened him up to some heavy counters from Lawal.
But then it happened.
After a combination from Newton that saw Lawal try to respond with a heavy counter, "The Hardcore Kid" finished off his combination with a perfectly timed spinning back fist that caught Lawal right on the button, stunning him and knocking him out cold on his feet.
As Lawal toppled over, Newton pounced with a rear naked choke attempt, but the fight was already over as "King Mo" did not wake up when he hit the ground.
Wow.
Newton will now face fellow Bellator season eight light heavyweight tournament finalist Mikhail Zayats for $100,000 and the right to challenge for the Bellator 205-pound title. Did you see this one coming, Maniacs? Our very own Thomas Myers did.
For all the complete quick results, play-by-play and a live stream of Bellator 90, click here.