Kevin Candoni made sure that MMA fans will remember his name with a sensational victory in his professional debut at Thunder Fight 54. <\/p>\n
Although a boxing event that saw Anthony Joshua knock out Jake Paul <\/a>after Anderson Silva also stopped fellow former UFC titleholder Tyron Woodley<\/a> dominated a lot of the attention of the combat sports world last weekend, there were still plenty of MMA events<\/a> for fans to take in during the UFC\u2019s ongoing break before 2026 and the promotion\u2019s new deal with Paramount<\/a>. <\/p>\n KSW and the PFL put on events on Saturday that were certainly on the higher-profile end of the MMA spectrum, but Sunday also saw Brazilian MMA promotion Thunder Fight hold its final event of the year at Thunder Fight Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil. <\/p>\n Kevin Candoni Brutalizes Opponent In Pro MMA Debut<\/p>\n Featuring an eight-fight card largely showcasing rising MMA talent from Brazil, Thunder Fight 54 saw Cadoni step into the cage to make his professional MMA debut opposite the significantly more-experienced Thiago dos Santos in a welterweight contest. <\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC shockingly parts ways with fighter boasting undefeated UFC record<\/a><\/p>\n Representing both Italy and Brazil, Cadoni\u2019s only amateur MMA experience came when he scored back-to-back first-round finishes in one night at an amateur event in Pordenone, Italy last year. Dos Santos came into their matchup with a total of 20 fights of professional MMA experience, but he\u2019d also been knocked out just week earlier when he took on two-fight UFC veteran Kaynan Kruschewsky at MMA University 3.<\/p>\n It was fairly clear that Cadoni also had a knockout on his mind with the way he went after dos Santos during the opening round. After visibly rocking \u201cTKS\u201d with a dynamic wheel kick, Cadoni connected with a vicious left hand that put the MMA veteran face down on the mat (h\/t @WCK252660<\/a>).<\/p>\n Cadoni actually missed with a follow-up right hand as his opponent fell to the mat, and the debutant quickly turned back to the center of the cage before tossing his mouth guard to celebrate one of the month\u2019s nastiest MMA highlights. <\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC star doesn\u2019t expect Islam Makhachev fight after brutal knockout of ex-champion<\/a><\/p>\n The stunning knockout featured as part of what ended up being an action-packed night at Thunder Fight 54. The card opened with back-to-back submissions before Leandro Solano defeated Vitor Zmish in the night\u2019s only decision, and from there the card\u2019s remaining five fights all ended via stoppage. <\/p>\n More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Ex-UFC champ aims to snap losing streak on Holloway vs. Oliveira undercard at UFC 326<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC legend Anderson Silva shares puzzling response regarding Dana White relationship<\/a> <\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0When is the first UFC card on Paramount+ in 2026? Event schedule revealed for Q1<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0MMA fans put on notice after fighter scores insane walk-off KO in first pro fight<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n