Former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt announced his Octagon return with a stunning knockout of Raphael Assuncao at the UFC 250 fight card.
‘No Love’ was looking to get back in the win column after suffering three straight knockout losses including a pair of finishes at the hands of former teammate TJ Dillashaw and a defeat to Pedro Munhoz.
Following a year of layoff, Garbrandt was expected to make an MMA comeback last month at UFC Columbia against Raphael Assuncao in what could be his homecoming fight in Ohio.
Before the event was cancelled, the 28-year old fighter has already pulled out of the card as he was hospitalized because of kidney issues.
On Saturday night, Garbrandt displayed a new and improved version of his game en route to a buzzer beater second round knockout of the Brazilian fighter.
At the 4:59 mark of the second round, Garbrandt landed a solid right hand, which put Assuncao sleeping on the mat.
Watch it below:
Here are the UFC 250 fight card results:
Cody Garbrandt def. Raphael Assuncao via second-round knockout (punch)
Aljamain Sterling def. Cory Sandhagen via first-round submission (rear naked choke)
Neil Magny def. Anthony Rocco Martin via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Sean O’Malley def. Eddie Wineland via first-round knockout (punch)
Alex Caceres def. Chase Hooper via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ian Heinsich def. Gerald Meerschaert via first-round TKO (punches)
Cody Stamann def. Brian Kelleher via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Maki Pitolo def. Charles Byrd via second-round TKO (punches)
Alex Perez def. Jussier Formiga via first-round TKO (leg kicks)
Devin Clark def. Alonzo Menifield via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Herbert Burns def. Evan Dunham via first-round submission (rear-naked choke)
(Featured Image Source: Twitter/ UFC)