After dropping a split decision to Omari Akhmedov and losing the pretty zero that previously adorned his professional record, explosive welterweight Abdul Razak Alhassan got back to winning ways and back to scoring quick finishes at UFC 218 on Saturday night. Although, not in the devastating or definitive manner that he might have hoped.

Alhassan, who Irish MMA fans might remember as the man that ruined SBG Ireland fighter Charlie Ward’s UFC debut in just 53 brutal seconds, had Sabah Homasi pressed against the fence in the final minute of the exciting opening round when a firefight erupted. A knee and a right-hand by Homasi started things off and Alhassan roared back with abandon. Soon, both men were swinging with unsustainable ferocity and disregard. Eventually, Homasi dropped dramatically to the canvas. He appeared to be moving and looking to improve his perilous position after hitting the deck, but veteran referee Herb Dean made what seemed like a poorly-timed intervention and called a halt to the fight.

Homasi immediately jumped to his feet and launched a bitter protest, as boos rained down upon the octagon, but it was too late. Alhassan was declared the winner via TKO at 4:21 of the first round.

At the post-fight press conference, however, UFC president Dana White suggested that the promotion joined Homasi and the fans in disagreement with the timing of Dean’s stoppage. White said that a rematch had already been booked and that Alhassan vs. Homasi 2 will take place on the “end of the year card.”

So, that’s another one to look forward to for UFC 219 on December 30th.

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