The action-packed pay-per-view opener saw five knockdowns in less than two rounds as Viktor Faust (9-0, 7 KOs) remained unbeaten via second-round TKO over a game Iago Kiladze (30-6, 11 KOs).
"I felt very confident in the fight,” said Faust. “This was a great win for my career. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I'm proud of this victory today.”
In a wild first round that saw both men hit the canvas, Faust struck first, connecting on a left hook that dropped Kiladze less than a minute into the round. With Faust looking to finish the fight quickly, Kiladze unloaded a missile counter right hand that sent Faust tumbling into the ropes and to the mat.
The first-round action was not over yet, as Faust would go on to score a second knockdown in the round, again connecting with a clean left hook. In round two, the fireworks continued, with Kiladze striking first via another counter right hand that dropped Faust.
Despite the onslaught, Faust was able to return fire once again, landing a left hand-right hook combination that put Kiladze on the mat for the third time in the fight. This time, referee Samuel Burgos waved off the bout at 1:44 into round, ending the fight to the disgust of Kiladze, who pleaded to continue after the fight was called.
“The stoppage was definitely unexpected, but from the way things were going, it was inevitable,” said Faust.
Preceding the pay-per-view, action on FOX was headlined by rising lightweight contender Frank Martin (15-0, 11 KOs) delivering a fourth-round TKO victory over Romero Duno (24-3, 19 KOs) 2:54 into the round.
Also on FOX, Lenier Pero (6-0, 3 KOs) emerged victorious in an eight-round battle of unbeaten Cuban heavyweights, defeating Geovany Bruzon (6-1, 5 KOs) by unanimous decision with scores of 78-74 and 77-75 twice.