UFC 206 results: Vannata KOs Makdessi with wheel kick, Khabilov and Ortiz win by decision

UFC 206 is live from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ont., as we speak. In the main event of the evening, UFC featherweight contenders Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis battle for the interim championship.

The early preliminary card, which was streamed on UFC Fight Pass, featured three matchups, one of which ended by fierce stoppage. Check out the results below.

Lando Vannata vs. John Makdessi via Knockout (Wheel Kick) at 1:40 of Round 1

Lando Vannata is a bad, bad man.

His sophomore UFC appearance against veteran John Makdessi served as the UFC Fight Pass featured fight at UFC 206, and the UFC’s decision to label Vannata vs. Makdessi as that paid off. After a few shots on the feet from both fighters, “Groovy” landed a devastating, smooth spinning back kick to the jaw of Makdessi, instantly knocking his opponent out. And that was it. It took less than two minutes for Vannata to pick up his first win inside the Octagon, and he did so in spectacular fashion.

Rustam Khabilov def. Jason Saggo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Rustam Khabilov controlled his lightweight bout opposite Jason Saggo for its entirety. His wrestling and grappling was a key factor in the bout and ultimately sealed the deal. Early on, the bout was essentially a kickboxing match between a pair of grapplers, but as time went on, Khabilov scored more and more takedowns and dominated on the mat. Saggo is known for his tricky submissions, but Khabilov was too strong and avoided all of the offense Saggo had to offer. Khabilov, deservedly so, was given all three rounds by the judges.

Dustin Ortiz def. Zach Makovsky via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

UFC flyweights Dustin Ortiz and Zach Makovsky both badly needed a victory at UFC 206, as they both headed into the bout on two-fight skids. It was betting underdog Ortiz who got the job done, adding a win to his professional record for the first time since August 2015.

Ortiz vs. Makovsky consisted of three rounds of of high-level, competitive grappling, but the No. 11-ranked Ortiz got the better of the exchanges on the mat and won most of the scrambles. Makovsky had some success at range on the feet, but Ortiz was able to score several takedowns throughout the affair to win a split decision (the decision should have been unanimous). Both fighters attempted a couple of submissions each, but very little came out of all of the attempts made. Makovsky was game and made it tight, but Ortiz’s takedowns, strength, and superior ability on the mat was key in this fight.