A UFC Atlanta hunter announced himself as one of the most difficult hitters of the promotion with a bonus-winning knockout in 2019.
On the heels of two Bantamweight title fights on UFC 316, attention focuses on Saturday to the Welterweight Division in Atlanta.
The headliner of the first of two UFC -Vecht evenings in June is an important collision between Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley, while the former champion wants to take on his first victory since 2021.
The map also has two other former title holders in Rose Namajunas and Cody Garbrandt, as well as a number of remarkable names with extensive Octagon Reels.
And two hunters who have the map of June 14 produced one of the most brutal highlights in the UFC Atlanta hunters group.
Alonzo Menifield let Paul Craig pay for his telegraphic rotating attacks with brutal UFC Ko
Both Alonzo Menifield and Paul Craig make the walk in State Farm Arena on Saturday, with 'Atomic' open the main map against Oumar Sy and 'Bearjew' that close the prelims versus Rodolfo Bellato.
The couple has their own history after he shared the cage in 2019. Those were three fights away from Craig's last second entry victory against Magomed Ankalaev, who remains the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion's some career defeat of the UFC champion.
Menifield was now 1-0 in the UFC after obtaining a contract on the Contender Series of Dana White. If his debut profit had not yet marked him as one to look at, his second Octagon certainly did that.
'Atomic' met his nickname by beating Craig in just over three minutes. The end came when the Scottish hunter tried to land a second consecutive rotating wheel shovel.
The telegraphic movement was prevented by Menifield, who bundled Craig on the ground before landing a devastating soil and pound, including several shots for his already unconscious opponent.
Alonzo Menifield's 13 UFC fights since Paul Craig starch Paul Craig
Although Menifield sometimes struggled with consistency in the following years, his reputation was not one of the most dreaded knockouts of the UFC.
'Atomic' has won seven of his 13 fights since he defeated Craig, a run with two more of his opponents who are sent to the shadow rich – the most striking KO against Misha Cirkunov in 2022.
However, Menifield has also been on the receiving side of such a brutal finish.
He was stopped in just 12 seconds by Carlos Ulberg in May 2024 before he was slept by Azamat Murzakanov months later.
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Menifield has been reflected from his violent bipping skid with a split decision about Julius Walker and hope to return to his devastating KO manians at the expense of the undefeated SY in UFC Atlanta.