Key facts
- Kaik Brito defeated Namo Fazil by knockout (punch) at 0:12 of round 3 in the main event at UFC APEX in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2026
- Brito earned a UFC contract after the win; he had lost his prior Contender Series appearance against Oban Elliott in 2023
- Six UFC contracts awarded across the card, with three fighters earning them in knockout finishes and two underdogs cashing out
- Fazil, a popular fighter with a 10-1 record, was competing on the undercard of a recent MVP MMA event before the loss
- Brito (19-6) caught Fazil with an overhand right early in round 3 after a competitive first two rounds
The knockout and the contract
Kaik Brito delivered one of the most spectacular knockouts in Dana White’s Contender Series history on Tuesday night at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, stopping welterweight Namo Fazil with a devastating punch just 12 seconds into round 3. The finish came after two competitive rounds in which Fazil’s pressure and durability tested Brito throughout the bout, but Brito uncorked a vicious overhand right early in the final round that sent Fazil crashing to the canvas. Dana White immediately offered Brito a UFC contract on the strength of the performance.
Brito’s redemption
The win marked a significant turnaround for Brito, who had competed on the Contender Series before. In 2023, Brito lost his first appearance on the show, dropping a decision to Oban Elliott. On Tuesday, not only did he secure victory, but he also earned the contract that had eluded him previously.
The broader card
Brito’s knockout was the main event of Week 2 of Season 10, which delivered six UFC contracts across five bouts. The evening featured three knockout finishes and one submission, with multiple underdogs cashing in. In the co-main event, Trent Miller submitted Douglas Rodrigues with a Von Flue choke in round 2, earning his own contract after a tough start in which Rodrigues hurt him early. Christian Perez defeated Logan Paxton via knockout (punches) in round 2 to earn his second Contender Series contract after a failed attempt last year. Alik Lorenz, another fighter returning after a prior loss on the series, knocked out Mahamed Aly with a punch in round 1. In the opener, Roman Puga and Taner Trembley delivered such competitive action that Dana White awarded contracts to both fighters, with Puga winning via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Sources
Featured photo by Shoham Avisrur on Unsplash