Knockout artist Amanda “The Lioness” Nunes made a triumphant return to her home country tonight at UFC 163: “Aldo vs Korean Zombie” in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The 25-year-old kicked off her UFC career with a first-round TKO victory over fellow bantamweight Sheila “The German Tank” Gaff.

Nunes found herself in some early danger when Gaff took her back and threatened with a rear-naked choke, but she scrambled free and began to take control of the fight from top position. A barrage of hard punches and elbows dazed Gaff and referee Herb Dean intervened to stop the brief bout.

Nunes (8-3-0) and Gaff (10-6-1) exchanged power punches right away and Gaff landed a right hook that appeared to stun Nunes momentarily. She shot in for a takedown, but Gaff hopped on her back and pulled her down to the mat. Gaff worked for a rear-naked choke, but she could not maintain the position and the fight soon returned to the feet.

From that point forward, it was all Nunes. She took Gaff down and landed knees to the body and elbows from side control. Nunes passed to mount, but Gaff powered out and stood up. She was promptly taken right back down and Nunes postured up with some nice ground and pound that was punctuated by three big elbows. Gaff wilted and covered up, and the fight was waved off at the 2:08 mark.

Tonight’s win was a crucial one for Nunes, who had lost two of her past three fights. Seven of her eight wins have come via a form of knockout and she has now finished six opponents inside the first round.

Winner: Amanda Nunes by TKO (Punches & Elbows) at 2:08 of round one. She improves to 8-3-0.

(Photo Credit: UFC)