Joel Faglier stops Javad Mahjoub in round two after first-round knockdowns

Mahjoub's right hands drop Faglier

The heavyweight bout brought together two unbeaten UFC newcomers: Faglier entered at 6-0 and Mahjoub at 5-0. Their meeting was the fifth bout at UFC Fight Night 291.

Faglier initially took the center and probed with an overhand right, a straight punch to the body and low kicks. Mahjoub answered with right hands and secured a rear waist lock in the clinch, but Faglier escaped.

Mahjoub then dropped Faglier with a one-two and followed with punches as Faglier backed toward the fence. Another straight right sent Faglier down with more than a minute left in the opening round. He got back up, landed a left uppercut and took two more right hands before the round ended.

Faglier connects to the body

Between rounds, Faglier walked back to his corner while Mahjoub stayed bent over with his hands on his knees. Mahjoub returned to the center for the second round, but Faglier began connecting, particularly with shots to the body.

Faglier's work to the midsection included a left hook, front kicks and jabs as the second round developed.

Ground punches complete the comeback

The finishing sequence began with a heavy right hand from Faglier. He then threw Mahjoub down and followed him to the ground with punches. As Faglier continued striking, referee Marc Goddard intervened to stop the fight, completing the comeback after Faglier had been knocked down in the first round.

Faglier won by TKO at 2:11 of round two.

The result left Faglier undefeated at 7-0 after his UFC debut. Mahjoub's own debut ended with his first defeat, taking his record to 5-1.