Harris suffers first round UFC loss to Rakhmonov

Brazil-based Guyanese Carlston Harris suffered a first round defeat at the hands of Shavkat Rakhmonov of Kazakhstan on UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Fight at the UFC Apex, Harris, who came into the contest with much hype after an impressive start to his UFC career with two consecutive first round wins, suffered a brutal blow in the opening round as Rakhmonov extended his unbeaten record.

Harris, 33, was floored by a vicious spinning hook kick after which Rakhmonov, 26, finished off the contest by pulverising his opponent on the mat.

Minutes earlier, the pair of Welterweights began the contest trading blows at distance, feinting and picking their shots.

Early on, Rakhmonov’s jab looked crisp, while Harris was swinging pretty wide. Rakhmonov spun into a big kick to the body then attempted to flurry, but Harris wrapped his foe up and prevented further damage.

Harris then showed great defense to deny a clinch takedown.

However, Rakhmonov’s second attack was more telling and decisive, forcing the referee to intervene to stop the contest.

The fight ended four minutes, 10 seconds (4:10s) into the round with Rakhmonov extending his career record to 15-0 (UFC record 3-0).

With the defeat, Harris overall record slipped to 17-5 (UFC record 2-1).

In an impressive start to his UFC career in 2021, Harris had first round knockout wins over Christian Aguilera with an Anaconda Submission Choke and Impa Kasanganay.