Sandhagen TKOs Moraes in UFC Fight Night main event

Cory Sandhagen emerged as one of the top bantamweight contenders Saturday night.

Sandhagen defeated Marlon Moraes via TKO at 1:03 of the second round in the bantamweight main event of UFC Fight Night at Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The finish came when Sandhagen connected with a spinning heel kick early in the frame to drop Moraes. He then jumped on his opponent and landed a flurry of ground-and-pound before referee Marc Goddard intervened.

Sandhagen was ranked No. 4 in the division heading into his first UFC main event, while Moraes was No. 1.

After the win, Sandhagen named Frankie Edgar and TJ Dillashaw as potential opponents before getting a title shot against champion Petr Yan.

The first round between Sandhagen and Moraes was competitive. Moraes, one of the UFC's strongest and most powerful bantamweights, came forward and landed some solid shots. But Sandhagen, a lanky fighter known for his unorthodox style, began to pick him apart from the outside with a variety of strikes. Sandhagen landed jabs, kicks, and knees, likely edging Moraes out in the opening frame.

Of course, Sandhagen sealed the deal shortly after, becoming only the second fighter to finish Moraes in the Octagon.

With the victory, Sandhagen returns to the win column following a submission loss to Aljamain Sterling in June. The 28-year-old is 6-1 in the promotion.

Moraes hadn't stepped into the cage since a narrow win over Jose Aldo last December. The former title challenger has now lost two of his last three bouts.