LAS VEGAS (AP) – Demetrious Johnson successfully defended his flyweight title for the eighth straight time, stopping Henry Cejudo in the first round Saturday night at UFC 197.
Working from a clinched position, Johnson landed a hard right elbow, followed by two knees to the body and a devastating knee to the jaw that sent Cejudo reeling. Johnson followed Cejudo to the mat, landing a couple more power shots that forced the referee to stop the fight at 2:49 of the round.
Johnson improved to 23-2-1 in handing Cejudo his first professional loss at 10-1.
On the undercard, lightweight contender Edson Barboza looked sharp in a unanimous decision over former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis. Sergio Pettis, Danny Roberts, James Vick and former female straw-weight champion Carla Esparza also won fights.