Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev Delivers Thunderous Finish Saturday in UFC Baku!

While some of the United States UFC fanbase was just getting up for the day on Saturday morning, Abdul Rahkman Yakhyaev was going to work in Baku, Azerbajian.  During the UFC Baku prelims, Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) drew the assignment of Julius Walker (7-3 MMA, 1-3 UFC.)

Going into Saturday's card in Azerbajian, Walker was looking for a better result than his last fight inside the fabled Octagon. On Feb. 7, he trekked to Meta Apex in Enterprise, NV for a fight versus Dustin Jacoby. This fight ended in defeat for Walker by second-round knockout.

Although the fight matching Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev with Julius Walker was slated to be a three-round affair at five minutes apiece, the former had other ideas in mind once the cage door shut on Saturday night in Azerbajian. 

Abdul Rakhman Yakhayev Quickly Stops Julius Walker, Nears Record Territory

Right after the command to fight was given by referee Jim Perdios, Yakhyaev connected with a vicious right hand. Upon knocking Walker down, Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev pounced on him with some thunderous ground and pound shots. Jim Perdios waved off the contest soon after.

Officialy, Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev ended this light heavyweight undercard battle with only eight seconds having elapsed off of the first-round clock. At eight seconds, Yakhyaev's finish of Walker is the seventh-fastest victory by knockout in UFC promotional history, regardless of weight class.

As far as the light heavyweight division is concerned, Yakhyaev's win over Walker on Saturday night places him in a tie for the second-fastest knockout win at 205 lbs with James Irvin, who ended his 2008 fight against Houston Alexander in eight seconds. A seven-second knockout by Ryan Jimmo versus Anthony Perosh in 2012 is the record for quickest light heavyweight knockout.

Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev Speaks With Bisping After Eight-Second KO

Once the result was made official by Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer, the victorious Yakhyaev, who picked up his 10th win as a professional with Saturday evening's knockout, was given the chance to talk about his win in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping.

"So, guys, I come in here to make records," Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev began. "This is not first record, this is second right?" He paused to receive confirmation from Michael Bisping that he tied the second-fastest knockout in UFC light heavyweight history before continuing.

"We'll see then," he said. "Next fight, more, more, more. Surprise."

Yakhyaev on Gameplan vs. Julius Walker

While Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev got the stoppage victory against Walker in under 10 seconds' time on Saturday night in Azerbajian, one question was on everyone's mind: Was a quick finish in the gameplan from the outset?

"The plan was to fight very smart," Yakhyaev said. "When I see the moment, I take it."

Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev Pockets $50K Bonus After UFC Baku Saturday

With Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev having fought on Saturday night's undercard in Baku, fans had to wait around until after the event's conclusion to find out if his eight-second knockout victory would be good enough to net him a cash advance for a post-fight bonus. Following the close of activities in Azerbajian, the UFC revealed that four contestants would be receiving $50,000 (USD) in bonus money for their efforts, securing the Performance of the Night Award.

Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev was one of the four winners to have received the $50,000 bonus for the Performance of the Night. Joining him among those pocketing extra money are main event winner Rafel Fiziev, Asu Almabaev and Danil Donchenko.