A Russian MMA fighter finished his opponent with a flying knee and a shove in a UFC debut to remember

• A Russian MMA fighter made a UFC debut to remember Saturday at the Apex in Las Vegas.
• Azamat Murzakanov finished his opponent Tafon Nchukwi with a flying knee and a shove.

LAS VEGAS — Russian MMA fighter Azamat Murzakanov scored a flying knee knockout on his UFC debut at an event insider attended Saturday inside the UFC Apex, Las Vegas.

Murzakanov entered the Octagon entered unbeaten having built an impressive record of 10 wins (seven knockouts, one submission, and two decisions) while competing in St. Petersburg, Moscow, and in Bahrain.

At 34 years old he got a shot to compete in the UFC providing he win in impressive fashion in front of Dana White during a Contender Series show, last year.

After obliterating Matheus Scheffel in the feeder league system, White awarded Murzakanov with a UFC contract.

Now 35, Murzakanov is showing signs that White's decision to sign the fighter was just, as he came-from-behind to win in the third round this weekend.

Yes, against Tafon Nchukwi, Murzakanov was actually second-best for much of the bout as Nchukwi secured an early lead thanks to his strike variety and attention to the body.

If Nchukwi hadn't won the first round on the judges' scorecards then he certainly won the second as he out-struck and out-landed Murzakanov while also landing the heavier blows.

But the only round that seemed to matter in this light heavyweight match was the third and final one, as Murzakanov closed the show with a horrible flying knee.

As if he wasn't done showing off by landing the technique in the most brutal way possible, he shoved Nchukwi for good measure, while he was seemingly already on his way to the canvas.

Murzakanov's fists were locked and loaded for follow-up strikes but Nchukwi was in such a bad way that the referee Herb Dean stormed into the middle of the fighters to separate them, and wave the fight off.

It was all over. Murzakanov had won.

Watch the finish right here:

—ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 12, 2022

With victory, Murzakanov advanced his pro MMA record to 11 wins (eight knockouts, one submission, and two decisions).

A light heavyweight match between Thiago Santos and Magomed Ankalaev topped the UFC Fight Night event, which was broadcast in its entirety on ESPN+.