LAS VEGAS – Iwo Baraniewski’s instincts took over when the heat got turned up in his epic UFC 323 slugfest with Ibo Aslan.
Baraniewski (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and Aslan (14-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC) delivered one of the craziest 89 seconds in octagon history Saturday at T-Mobile Arena when the two light heavyweight hitters exchanged heavy blows from beginning to end in an electric affair.
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After each man scored a knockdown and looked on the verge of being stopped, Baraniewski got the fight-ending shot with a perfect right hook that put Aslan down and led to the stoppage at the 1:29 mark of Round 1.
“I am so happy,” Baraniewski told MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight at UFC 323. “This fight was great because it was another first-round finish in my career – UFC debut, win by knockout, so I’m very happy. I don’t remember the fight. I can’t say too much. My trainer told me that I was hurt. But after I am hurt, he was hurt much more.”
Baraniewski, who received a $50,000 Performance of the Night award for his incredible battle and finish, admits he thought he had the win in hand in the opening minute after he dropped Aslan for the first time.
Aslan responded with a knockdown connection of his own before Baraniewski rallied and put the fight away. He said he knew Aslan would come to fight hard, but the level of chaos that unfolded was hard to predict. Regardless, Baraniewski relished it.
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“I thought it was finished, but he stands up and attacked me,” Baraniewski said. “I tried the same punch, and it was correct. I expected that Ibo would be tough. He had two losses, so he had to knock me out on this fight, and he went at me.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Iwo Baraniewski: ‘I don’t remember’ wild UFC 323 war
