UFC Vegas 56 had a thrilling start with a light heavyweight bout on the main card. Alonzo Menifield fought Askar Mozharov in a battle of the prospect to move up the ranks. ‘Atomic’ got the first-round win; he put on a definitive performance to secure a rare crucifix finish.
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The light heavyweight was coming off a loss against William Knight in his last bout showed his growth in the off-time. The 34-year-old dominated his counterpart from the get-go.
Menifield put the fight to the ground early. His grappling looked exceptional; although Mozharov had a slight moment when he got back on his feet. He looked to get a vicious knockout blow in. However, Menifield showed his composure as he put the bout back on the mat. Subsequently, he got a dominating position that resulted in the ending sequence of the bout.
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After the fight, he expressed some frustration, as he was ‘furious’ at getting the win after being on a losing streak. Besides, the two fighters involved in the initial bout, had a heated exchange after the contest was over.
UFC world reacts to the crucifix finish at UFC Vegas 56
The crucifix finish from Menifield impressed the UFC fans. Moreover, fellow fighters and media members reacted as they saw what transpired in the first bout of the main card of UFC Vegas 56.
Mozharov has Alonzo Menifield looking like Khabib here
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 4, 2022
“Good lord, Alonzo Menifield. Absolutely brutal finish from the crucifix position,” wrote MMA journalist Shaheen Al-Shatti.
Good lord, Alonzo Menifield. Absolutely brutal finish from the crucifix position. #UFCVegas56
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) June 4, 2022
Another MMA journalist pointed out the rush both fighters had even after the bout.
“Menifield is yelling across the cage to Mozharov and the two are separated by officials as they walk towards each other. Mozharov was seemingly upset that Menifield took him down,” wrote Aaron Bronsteter.
Menifield is yelling across the cage to Mozharov and the two are separated by officials as they walk towards each other.
Mozharov was seemingly upset that Menifield took him down.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 4, 2022
Jesus. Brutal crucifix elbows from Menifield
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 4, 2022
Alonzo Menifield with the crucifix position and he just rained down elbows to bludgeon Askar Mozharov for the first round finish. #UFCVegas56
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) June 4, 2022
With such a wonderful performance, top UFC welterweight fighter, Belal Muhammad, had his eyes on the corner of Menifield. Chiefly, Pat Barry, since he had a tough outing cornering Rose Namajunas in the strawweight championship bout against Carla Esparza.
Ok now pat barry did a good job of telling him to stick to the gameplan
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 4, 2022
I guess this sport is a lot tougher when the dude’s corner doesn’t immediately stop it after the first blocked kick.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) June 4, 2022
Now that Menifield is in the win column, he would prepare for a bigger challenge and opportunity in his next bout. The light heavyweight fighter has shown a lot of potential in his early fights in the promotion. And this win will only boost his confidence.
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What do you make of the rare crucifix finish at UFC Vegas 56?