For a minute or two, it appeared Jake Matthews' showcase fight in front of a potential record-setting crowd seemed to be turning into a nightmare.
Veteran Akhbar Arreola got the better of the 21-year-old Australian in the opening round of their UFC 193 lightweight fight. But Matthews rallied for a ferocious round two and earned a TKO via doctor's stoppage at the end of the round at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium.
Arreola (23-10-1), a Tijuana native, took it to Matthews in the first round. He hit Matthews with a solid head kick, then followed with a left-right combo which floored him.