LAS VEGAS -- Islam Makhachev came into his UFC debut with quite a bit of hype. The Dagestani welterweight nicknamed "Little Khabib" is a sambo champion and an undefeated mixed martial artist.
Saturday night did little to slow down the hype train. The American Kickboxing Academy fighter put on a clinic in defeating the American Top Team's Leo Kuntz.
Makhachev (12-0) won by tapout due to a rear-naked choke at 2:38 of the second round at UFC 187 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Makhachev got the best of things in the first round, scoring in close with brutal dirty boxing, landing smooth throws and working for submissions from the ground.