UFC: Big knockouts rock UFC 220

Islam Makhachev of Russia punches Gleison Tibau of Brazil in their lightweight bout during UFC 220. Photo / Getty Images

UFC 220 has started with a bang.

Dagestan fighter Islam Makhachev brought the early fireworks, cleanly knocking out Gleison Tibau 57 seconds into the first fight of the night.

"Phenomenal left hand by Makhachev," commentator Joe Rogan said. "A picture perfect punch."

OUT OF NOWHERE!@MakhachevMMA opens up #UFC220 with a BANG! pic.twitter.com/gz3bS2lY6a

— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018

Makhachev demanded a top-15 ranked fighter in his next outing after the win. Tibau, who was fighting for the first time since 2015, has now lost three straight.

The main event between UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and knockout artist Francis Ngannnou is surely to produce more fireworks later in the night.

Wow. That's how you kick off a fight card. My goodness. Islam Makhachev lands a left hook flush on the chin and it was goodnight sweetheart for Gleison Tibau. #UFC220

— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) January 21, 2018

Not to be outdone, Abdul Razak Alhassan got in on the knockout action, landing a clean shot which put Sabah Homasi to sleep.

The two welterweights met in December last year when Alhassan took the win in controversial circumstances.

This time, Alhassan put the result beyond doubt with the spectacular walk-off uppercut.

9️⃣ Career victories.

9️⃣ Career finishes.

9️⃣ Round one victories.@JudoRazak #UFC220 pic.twitter.com/sOZ8RQDX76

— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018