If you live for first round finishes, BFL 66 delivered exactly that on Friday night.
The eight-bout card marked Battlefield Fight League's return from the pandemic hiatus and their debut as a UFC Fight Pass exclusive event.
The main event saw Achilles Estremadura (now 7-0) stay unbeaten and claim his fourth BFL lightweight title defense with a first round knockout of Curtis Demarce (now 18-16).
Estremadura's record now includes four stoppages, further proving his blend of speed, power and precision are dangerous combinations.
"I felt like the first combo I threw I felt good pressure, I felt he didn't like it," said Estremadura in his post-fight interview.
"When he was going back, I was like his hands were high, I think he's afraid of getting touched up on the head, so I'm like I'll bring it down to the body, looked to go there with a kick, heard him wheezing a bit, so I'm like I'm just going to f**king go in for this finish."
Earlier this year on Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS), Estremadura appeared destined to earn a UFC contract.
While another shot at DWCS remains possible, Estremadura insisted he's prepared for an immediate UFC move.
"You guys have been seeing me doing this here for 11 years, I carry Vancouver on my back, I'd like to make it up to the big stage," said Estremadura.
"UFC, if you take me, you have the whole city of Vancouver behind me, so let's go. Dana White, UFC, call me up."
Machado wants more
In the co-main event, Caio Machado (now 4-1-1) captured his first BFL heavyweight title defense with a first round TKO of veteran Lee Mein (now 11-15).
Despite being only six fights into his pro career, Machado feels the regional scene offers him nothing left to prove and is pushing for a showcase on the world stage.
"I feel like I've already fought all the toughest fighters here in Canada. Everyone who's ahead of me right now is just because they have a little more experience. I don't feel I have anymore competition on this level. I'm ready to take the big guys, I'm ready for the big show. I did my time here, I fought big wars here," said Machado in an interview with MMA Empire.
"Watching those heavyweights in the UFC, I can take most of them. I'm ready for that competition. If those guys are there, why am I not?"
Machado has competed exclusively in the heavyweight division throughout his six-fight run, yet he's typically been on the smaller side for the weight class.
If he doesn't receive a call from the UFC, DWCS, or another major promotion, Machado indicated he'd pursue becoming a BFL double champion.
"If I'm staying here, I have another two fights with BFL, I want to go to 205. I want to become double champion and get the second strap," said Machado.
"I think light heavyweight is going to be my future. I think I'm an average heavyweight size, but I will be a huge light heavyweight."
Sinagoga proves his power
Dario Sinagoga (now 4-0) faced tougher competition and passed the test with a first round TKO victory over Craig Shintani (now 9-4).
Though pleased with the swift result, Sinagoga admitted the fight didn't unfold the way he expected.
"I'm shocked and still trying to digest it, but I'm also not surprised," said Sinagoga in an interview with MMA Empire.
"I feel very fortunate to be able to put him away so soon because I was expecting a bit of a brawl, I was expecting a good, solid two or three rounds of being able to wear him down. I just put the nail in the coffin quick and got the job done."
This victory likely positions Sinagoga as a top contender for the next shot at Estremadura, assuming the lightweight champion doesn't land a UFC or DWCS deal soon.
While Sinagoga acknowledged a title shot against Estremadura could happen under the right conditions, he emphasized his camp's current priorities lie elsewhere.
"Even though it was a short fight, I spent some time on my back and against the cage. There's a lot of stuff to work on, and my coach wasn't happy I found myself in that situation. We're not really thinking too much about the opportunities we have next; we're just more focusing on making sure my game is patched up so nothing like that happens again," said Sinagoga.
"It's really up to the promoters and what the fans want to see. If they give me an opportunity to fight for the title, I'll definitely consider it. Achilles is a good test for me and I feel like I'm ready for him, but unless the price is right, I'm not going to step in there with him."
Elsewhere on the card, Kyran Cameron, Ali Wasuk, Gio Platon, Ivan Hryshchuk and Indroop Virk each secured victories.
