Marlon Moraes Scores Scary KO of the Year Contender at UFC Fight Night 123

UFC Fight Night 123 in Fresno, California, featured a big contender's bout in the bantamweight division. Top 10-ranked bantamweights Marlon Moraes and Aljamain Sterling took to the Octagon on Saturday at the Save Mart Center.

An expected competitive fight ended in just 67 seconds thanks to a well-placed knee that had Twitter reacting:

"

Ahhhhhhh!!!!!! Marlon Moraes!!!!!  #UFCFresno

— esther lin (@allelbows) December 10, 2017"

Moraes forced the issue right out of the gate against Sterling and had him hurt with heavy punches. Sterling showed he was still a threat by nearly catching an arm, which forced Moraes back to the feet.

Once back standing, Sterling went after a single-leg takedown and ate a perfectly placed knee on the chin. He hit the mat stiff and unconscious. Moraes has picked up two big Top 10 victories in less than a month.

In the post-fight interview in the cage, Moraes wished Sterling a speedy recovery, and FightMetric's Michael Christmas Carroll noted Moraes "grimaced" to see Sterling still on the mat.

Sterling was moving and taken out on a backboard, per Professional Fighters League Director of Communications Greg Savage.

Moraes is now firmly back in the title picture after a brutal KO finish against one of the division's brightest prospects.