Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev finishes Julius Walker in eight seconds at UFC Baku prelims
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 27, 2026, 4:48 PM
Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev defeated Julius Walker just eight seconds into their light heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night 280 on June 27, 2026, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Yakhyaev maintained his perfect record, achieving one of the fastest finishes in the 205-pound class history with a devastating overhand right followed by several punches. Nursulton Ruziboev also earned a first-round victory, choking out Andrey Pulyaev, while Kaan Ofli secured a win over Javier Reyes with a mounted arm-triangle choke in the second round. Daniil Donchenko and Tahir Abdullayev additionally achieved impressive finishes in their respective bouts. The prelims featured notable first-round performances and highlighted emerging talent in the UFC roster.
- •Yakhyaev improves to 10-0, 3-0 UFC with quick finish.
- •Ruziboev wins by rear-naked choke at 3:58 of Round 1.
- •Ofli submits Reyes in the second round with an arm-triangle choke.
- •Donchenko dispatches Berggren with a head kick and punches in Round 2.
- •Abdullayev stops Nascimento with punches in the third round.
- 12:00 PMYahoo Sports — He said what?!? UFC Baku fighter predicted first-punch KO, then got sparked in eight seconds
- 4:48 PMYahoo Sports — UFC Baku Prelims: Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev shreds Julius Walker in eight seconds
- 3:36 PMMMA Fighting — UFC Baku video: Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev nearly shatters record with 8-second, 1-punch knockout
"BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - JUNE 27: Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev of Russia reacts after a knockout victory against Julius Walker in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at National Gymnastics Arena on June 27, 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev is a serious contender in the light heavyweight division. The undefeated Turk made sure Julius Walker wasn’t taking his zero at UFC Baku on Saturday, connecting with a sledgehammer right hand that put Walker down for the count just eight seconds into Round 1. Watch the blindingly fast finish below. 8 SECONDS is all Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev needs at #UFCBaku pic.twitter.com/nrh7G7B5MR — MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) June 27, 2026 With the finish, Yakhyaev tied James Irvin for the second-fastest knockout in UFC light heavyweight division history, trailing only Ryan Jimmo, who scored a seven-second knockout of Anthony Perosh in July 2012. Yakhyaev (10-0) entered Saturday’s contest as one of the biggest favorites on the card after scoring first-round finishes over Brendson Ribeiro and Raffael Cerqueira in his first two UFC appearances. He didn’t disappoint, marching right at Walker (7-3) and clubbing him. Walker showed no signs of recovery, prompting referee Jim Perdios to call for the stoppage. In his post-fight speech, Yakhyaev called for a step up in competition and it’s guaranteed he has the attention of the matchmakers now.
"D’oh! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Julius Walker got sparked in just eight seconds by Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev on the UFC Baku prelims yesterday (Sat., June 27, 2026) inside National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan (watch highlights). The finish was the seventh-fastest overall in UFC history and the second-fastest knockout in Light Heavyweight history. […]
"The line of Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweights who want to test Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev figures to grow even shorter given his latest performance.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 28, 2026, 12:00 PMHe said what?!? UFC Baku fighter predicted first-punch KO, then got sparked in eight seconds
D’oh! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Julius Walker got sparked in just eight seconds by Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev on the UFC Baku prelims yesterday (Sat., June 27, 2026) inside National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan (watch highlights). The finish was the seventh-fastest overall in UFC history and the second-fastest knockout in Light Heavyweight history. […]
- Yahoo SportsJun 27, 2026, 4:48 PMUFC Baku Prelims: Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev shreds Julius Walker in eight seconds
The line of Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweights who want to test Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev figures to grow even shorter given his latest performance.
- MMA FightingJun 27, 2026, 3:36 PMUFC Baku video: Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev nearly shatters record with 8-second, 1-punch knockout
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - JUNE 27: Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev of Russia reacts after a knockout victory against Julius Walker in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at National Gymnastics Arena on June 27, 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev is a serious contender in the light heavyweight division. The undefeated Turk made sure Julius Walker wasn’t taking his zero at UFC Baku on Saturday, connecting with a sledgehammer right hand that put Walker down for the count just eight seconds into Round 1. Watch the blindingly fast finish below. 8 SECONDS is all Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev needs at #UFCBaku pic.twitter.com/nrh7G7B5MR — MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) June 27, 2026 With the finish, Yakhyaev tied James Irvin for the second-fastest knockout in UFC light heavyweight division history, trailing only Ryan Jimmo, who scored a seven-second knockout of Anthony Perosh in July 2012. Yakhyaev (10-0) entered Saturday’s contest as one of the biggest favorites on the card after scoring first-round finishes over Brendson Ribeiro and Raffael Cerqueira in his first two UFC appearances. He didn’t disappoint, marching right at Walker (7-3) and clubbing him. Walker showed no signs of recovery, prompting referee Jim Perdios to call for the stoppage. In his post-fight speech, Yakhyaev called for a step up in competition and it’s guaranteed he has the attention of the matchmakers now.
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