Mauricio Rua’s three-fight winning streak came to a resounding end in Hamburg, Germany, on Sunday, as he was stopped by Anthony Smith via knockout just 89 seconds after their UFC Fight Night 134 headlining bout began.
Rua entered the bout with title aspirations after having been targeted as a potential opponent by reigning 205-pound king Daniel Cormier. The 36-year-old Brazilian had experienced a mini-resurgence of late, posting triumphs over Gian Villante, Corey Anderson and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in his previous three outings before falling to Smith.