Last night at UFC Vegas 103, four major knockouts took place, with the most electrifying delivered by an undefeated rising prospect. UFC Vegas 103 proved to be a mixed affair, featuring six decisions and four KO/TKOs. The stoppages came from Manel Kape, Cody Brundage, Sam Patterson and Mario Pinto.
Of these four stoppages, the most impressive was undoubtedly Mario Pint. The British Portuguese fighter moved to 10-0 after sending a former NFL player straight to the shadow realm.
Mario Pinto Delivers Spectacular KO, Earning Praise from UFC Stars
After securing his spot on the UFC roster with a stunning knockout victory on Dana White’s Contender Series in October, Mario Pinto entered UFC Vegas 103 with significant hype surrounding him.
Although he started slow against Auten Lane, getting out-struck by the former NFL player in the first round, Mario Pinto bounced back in the second.
With just 39 seconds left in the second round, Pinto landed a beautiful sweeping right hook that connected perfectly with Lane’s chin, sending him crashing to the canvas, unconscious the moment it landed.
UFC stars reacted to Pinto’s incredible finish, with lightweight legend Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier posting on X:
“Man that was a bad KO.”
Terrance McKinney, who is known for his high-energy fights, praised the referee’s quick thinking commenting;
“Great job by the ref stopping that last punch from landing.”
Former fighter and analyst Alan Jouban simply wrote;
“That fall tho.”
Ex-double champion Henry Cejudo, later had strong words about the UFC Vegas 103 main event, as he posted in all capital:
“MARIO PINTO HOLY MOLY!”
Mario Pinto Criticizes His Viral KO Despite Spectacular Finish at UFC Vegas 103
Immediately after his walk-off KO, Mario Pinto crouched down in the octagon, seemingly muttering something under his breath in frustration. At the post-fight conference, he revealed that he had called his viral knockout “absolutely trash” – an unexpected reaction to such a spectacular stoppage.
“What did I say? ‘Oh, absolutely trash.’ But it’s alright, trash is good… It’s not how I usually fight based on my past performances. I had a bit of the jitters—it’s heavyweight, everyone has power. I just waited too long and shelled up too much, but I got the job done.”
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