Shane Collins VS Otari Tanzilov

Setting the tone for the evening, Shane Collins showcased a complete mixed martial arts game to defeat fellow debutant Otari Tanzilov. Collins commanded the center of the Octagon, utilizing a stiff jab and vicious body shots to piece Tanzilov up on the feet and cut off his movement. Outmatched in the striking department, Tanzilov desperately sought single-leg takedowns to change the momentum. Collins showcased phenomenal defensive grappling; he either stuffed the attempts, immediately scrambled back to his feet, or threatened with deep guillotine and D'Arce chokes whenever the fight hit the mat. Collins's striking superiority and scrambling ability earned him a clean 30-27 sweep on the judges' scorecards.

Shane Collins and Otari Tanzilov are both stepping into the Octagon for the first time, and both are finishers: Collins is 7-0 with five stoppages under the A1 Combat banner, while Tanzilov went 10-1 with seven finishes before his Contender Series appearance and is now moving up to featherweight. Two debut-night knockout artists, no track record in the UFC, plenty of incentive to make a statement — it is exactly the kind of fight that tends to end early.