UFC 225 results: Anthony Smith knee leaves Rashad Evans cold in 53 seconds

Anthony Smith (28-13 MMA, 4-2 UFC) was flawless in his UFC light heavyweight debut, scoring a quick knockout of former champion Rashad Evans (19-8-1 MMA, 14-8-1 UFC).

The light heavyweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC 225 event at United Center in Chicago. It streamed on UFC Fight Pass ahead of additional prelims on FS1 and a main card on pay-per-view.

Smith walked forward quickly at the start of the fight, spinning his opponent around with a low kick and looking to impose his will early. Evans wisely tried to grab hold and slow things down, pressing his opponent against the cage and looking for an opportunity to take the fight to the floor. Instead, Smith landed a clean knee to the head that saw Evans crash to the floor. Smith didn’t bother to follow, and the fight was called off after the 53-second knockout.

Afterward, Smith called for a future meeting with fellow former middleweight Sam Alvey.