Kyle Nelson landed early and often on Bill Algeo at UFC on ESPN 54, leading to a standing TKO finish.
Nelson (16-5-1 MMA, 4-4-1 UFC) hurt Algeo (19-7 MMA, 5-4 UFC) early in the first round of the featherweight bout at Boardwalk Hall, and he kept the pressure on until referee Gary Copeland jumped in at the 4:00 mark of Round 1.
Although Algeo never fell to the canvas, he was wobbled on multiple occasions and forced to retreat repeatedly. Copeland kept a close eye on him and decided to jump in after a final staggering blow, and Algeo expressed frustration with how it all ended.
Check out the replay of the final sequence below (via X):
'THE MONSTER' GETS THE FIRST ROUND STOPPAGE 👏 #UFCAtlanticCity pic.twitter.com/EN8tpyQGTy
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 31, 2024
Nelson was asked about the stoppage during his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, and he defended the result
“I was having the time of my life in there just throwing punches,” Nelson said. “Bill’s tough, he was eating them, but I was going to keep going all day long. It was a matter of time. I think the ref did his job.
“Anybody that’s got some criticisms, I can be back in this octagon next week. I’m here. I’m ready. You like that, eh?”
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 54 results include:
- Kyle Nelson def. Bill Algeo via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:00
- Chidi Njokuani def. Rhys McKee via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)
- Nate Landwehr def. Jamall Emmers via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 4:43
- Virna Jandiroba def. Loopy Godinez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Julio Arce def. Herbert Burns via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:00
- Dennis Buzukja def. Connor Matthews via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:22
- Ibo Aslan def. Anton Turkalj via TKO (punch) Round 3, 1:32
- Jacob Malkoun def. Andre Petroski via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 0:39
- Caolan Loughran def. Angel Pacheco via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 54.
