Almost any mixed martial arts fighter would do anything to get to the UFC, which is why Jesus Aguilar took on undefeated lightweight Tatsuro Taira on short notice in his debut fight.
Aguilar would end up being finished in the first round and losing his 8-fight winning streak. He made amends for that performance in his second fight at UFC 290.
Only 17 seconds into the first round, Aguilar set up a devastating overhand right that instantly shut the lights off for UFC veteran Shannon Ross. Aguilar knew it was over instantly and didn’t bother with any follow-up shots. It was the second-fastest knockout in UFC Flyweight history.
It wasn’t a surprise that Aguilar won the fight as he was the favorite going in, but the way it ended would have been hard to see coming. In ten professional fights leading up to UFC 290, Aguilar had never scored a knockout. If you only watched this fight, you would think he was one of hardest hitting guys in the flyweight division.
UFC International Fight Week is meant to bring attention to fighters from around the world, and this fight accomplished exactly that. The Mexican-born fighter had the spotlight on him with a chance to put Mexico further on the map in the MMA world, and he delivered ferociously.
After losing his first fight, the redemption Aguilar found on Saturday, will be a moment he never forgets.
“This is the best moment of my life. I needed to win here for my first win,” Aguilar said. “The last time I came out crying, now it will be just because of happiness.”
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