In front of a home crowd, UFC 204 in Manchester was the perfect opportunity for a British fighter to make a name for themselves.
Step forward Marc Diakiese.
The 23-year-old announced himself with a bang in his debut against Lukasz Sajewski as Diakiese forced a stoppage in the second round.
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Diakiese impressed and was the star of the show before Michael Bisping came out to produce a shock and awe title defence that will long be remembered.
Aware that no British fighter rivaled Bisping on the night, we look at the best contender he had in Manchester and assess his performance.
A nightmare beginning but a dream debut
It began as Diakiese’s worst nightmares would have, with Sajewski smothering the Brit and successfully taking him to the ground.
It took the sting out of Diakiese’s and the crowd’s enthusiasm as he worked to get back on his feet and battled to ensure Sajewski’s short-lived mount did not end his night.
The beginning was just as important for Diakiese as his eventual TKO, because it showed a kind of resilence and defence that all UFC fighters, and particularly heavy strikers, need to possess.
When the openings aren’t coming and you’re on your back, you __have to be able to respond. Diakiese did that.
The second round strike
Sajewski was tired when he came back out for the second round and Diakiese knew it.
The Doncaster fighter had promised to put on a show for his home crowd, but had just watched his fellow confident Brit Danny Roberts fall to Mike Perry.
But Diakiese knew he had a chance to punish Sajewski in the second as the opening heavy rights caught the Pole who did little to defend his chin.
Welcome to the @UFC, @Marc_Diakiese! 👊 #UFC204 https://t.co/pFabclxAP3
— #UFC204 (@btsportufc) October 9, 2016
Diakiese sensed a knockout was on the cards and picked up the pace, much to delight of the Manchester crowd.
Forty seconds from the bell, an avalanche of punches and the odd knee to the face rained down on Sajewski and with just over 20 seconds left, the referee stepped in.
Performance rating: 4/5
What Diakiese made of it all
‘This is the best feeling in the world.
‘I’ve worked so hard for this moment and now it’s here and I’m starting to enjoy it. I’ve got great fans behind me – the support is amazing.
‘I’m going to work to bring the belt to the U.K. for the fans.
‘In the UFC, you’ve got to entertain. U.K. fans like to see great fights, and that’s what I’m looking to give them. Whatever UFC gives me next, I’m here.
‘I’m looking to take on anybody and clean up the division.’
What next for the entertainer?
Judging by this performance, Diakiese has a bright future in the UFC.
Of course, sterner tests than Sajewski lies ahead, specifically in the form of a fighter who won’t gas out after the first round.
Diakiese proved he has a decent grappling defence and is of course a monstrous striker.
With his MMA record now standing at 10-0 with five of those coming from knockouts, Diakiese could be the next big, title contending star in the UFC.
He won’t be fast tracked in the UFC despite his impressive start, he’ll be required to fight and beat all the ones in and around him, climb up the rankings and more importantly, put together the coveted win streak.
That might take as much as two years to do. But at 23, he has plenty of time and all the skills to achieve it.
So learn to spell his name correctly, you’ll be tweeting it in the future.
What the world said about Diakiese
Diakiese was trending in the UK when he knocked out Sajewski and people at home and abroad, journalist and fight fans, were hugely impressed.
Catching up with prelims @Marc_Diakiese looks an exciting fighter. Took big knees in the first but got the win. Look forward to more W's.
— Chris (@sutcliffe14) October 9, 2016
@OC @Marc_Diakiese with @scottaskham1 as well OC… the future looks bright
— Mark Pickets (@MPickets) October 9, 2016
Wish @Marc_Diakiese had a fight every week! 😂 love watching him fight, never a boring when he's in the octagon 🙌🏽 well done brother #UFC204
— Joshua Hamshaw (@JoshuaRhys93) October 9, 2016
A few very solid prospects fighting tonight, but look out for newcomer Marc Diakiese. Euros very high on him. He's on a roll: 9-0 as a pro.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 8, 2016
Forget Bisping. That @Marc_Diakiese is one to watch. What a down to earth lad
— Kane Parker (@kanelfc) October 9, 2016
So many people here hyped for this kid @marc_diakiese Really talented, excited to see what is next for him #UFC204 https://t.co/x0HH2hwelA
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) October 9, 2016
I had no doubt @Marc_Diakiese would grab the win tonight ! Huge congrats on his @UFC debut . #UFC204
— Ross Edmonds (@RosssEdmonds) October 9, 2016
What a win and what a debut. Welcome to the @UFC @Marc_Diakiese big things in his future. Mark my words.
— David Levene (@DavidLevene) October 9, 2016
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