Alexis De La Cerda produced one of the most talked-about finishes of the year with a devastating knockout win over Ervin Fuller III.
The bout took place on the prelims of Zuffa Boxing 05 at the Meta Apex last Sunday, featuring two previously undefeated fighters stepping into the ring.
De La Cerda emerged with a perfect 9-0 record after the stoppage, while Fuller III suffered his first defeat at 12-1, with the finish quickly labelled a Knockout of the Year contender.
Fans react as Alexis De La Cerda delivers brutal KO of the Year contender on Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing
The defining moment came in the third round, when the 22-year-old landed a powerful right hook that ended the fight instantly.
Footage of the finish spread rapidly online, with fans dissecting the sequence and highlighting Fuller III’s defensive positioning before the decisive shot.
“Has his left just hanging low for nearly that entire sequence. Waist level when he got rocked. Invited it,” one X user observed, while a second one stated, “Fuller was too aggressive leaving that chin in the sky all night Cerda was setting him up the whole time.”
Others reflected on the nature of the sport itself, with one post reading: “Man the fight game is so brutal and beautiful at the same time.”
The knockout quickly gained traction as one of the best of the year, with another fan stating: “Knockout of the year for Zuffa Boxing so far.”
Concern for Fuller III also emerged in the immediate aftermath, as one message read: “My boy texted me when this happened and asked ‘is he alive?’”
The moment also drew attention to the promotion’s momentum, with another reaction stating: “Zuffa needed that. Wow, what a KO.”
“Dana is very happy!! Not like boring ground and pound in UFC” read another comment.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
