Tyson Pedro breaks out sword celebration after R1 knock out win

Ezra Samuel

In an electrifying performance, UFC light heavyweight contender Tyson Pedro secured a knockout victory against Anton Turkalj, punctuated by a memorable sword celebration.

Returning to the octagon in front of his home crowd in Australia, Tyson Pedro squared off against Anton Turkalj at UFC 293 on September 10, headlining the main card as the opening match.

From the outset, both fighters came out swinging, exchanging punishing blows. However, it was evident that Pedro was gaining the upper hand. His strikes were calculated, and he quickly began to overwhelm Turkalj. Following a rapid exchange of strikes, Pedro unleashed a ferocious combination of punches that sent Turkalj reeling.

To his credit, the Swedish athlete managed to regain his footing and fought back valiantly. The two engaged in a fierce back-and-forth, but Turkalj continued to be outmatched. Pedro seized the opportunity, launching a devastating right hand that sent Turkalj crashing to the canvas, unconscious.

Pedro wasted no time and dove in with a ruthless hammer fist, ensuring that Turkalj was not getting up anytime soon. The referee swiftly intervened, waving off the fight and declaring Pedro the victor.

In the euphoria of his triumph, Pedro couldn’t contain his excitement. The 31-year-old fighter celebrated with a sword-inspired gesture, making a slashing motion, then sheathing his metaphorical sword and bowing to his fallen opponent. Pedro’s captivating performance set the stage for the main event in spectacular fashion.

This victory marked Pedro’s successful return to the win column. In his previous outing, he suffered a heartbreaking loss via unanimous decision against Modestas Bukauskas at UFC 284 in February. Pedro has secured victory in three of his last four matches, contributing to his impressive record of 10 wins and 4 losses.

Conversely, Anton Turkalj faced his third consecutive defeat. The 27-year-old entered the UFC undefeated after earning a contract through Dana White’s Contender Series last year, notably defeating Acácio dos Santos. However, his tenure in the UFC has been challenging, with losses to Jailton Almeida, Vitor Petrino, and most recently, Tyson Pedro. Turkalj now holds a professional record of 8 wins and 3 losses.

Pedro’s thrilling finish and memorable celebration will undoubtedly be etched in the memories of UFC fans, adding another chapter to the sport’s rich history of spectacular moments.