UFC Vegas 122: Otari Tanzilovi scores highlight-reel knockout of Malcolm Wellmaker

Otari Tanzilovi’s first UFC victory is a highlight that will be replayed throughout his career.

In the opening bout of the UFC Fight Night 290 main card, Tanzilovi (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) entered the octagon for his second appearance in the promotion to take on Malcolm Wellmaker in a bantamweight bout that promised to deliver action – and it certainly did. In the second round, Tanzilovi found home for a heavy head kick that sent Wellmaker (10-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) crashing to the canvas at 2:39.

The opening round was a tone-setter for Tanzilovi. Despite Wellmaker pressing forward with steady pressure, Tanzilovi landed sharp counters and hard high kicks to keep Wellmaker honest. Wellmaker found success and landed big shots of his own, making for a solid round of back-and-forth action, but it showed Tanzilovi was a serious threat to keep Wellmaker from having a successful night at the office.

In the second round, Wellmaker kept marching forward, but like the prior frame, Tanzilovi kept landing stiff strikes in return. Then Tanzilovi unleashed a vicious head kick that landed flush to drop Wellmaker. He rushed in to follow up, but the referee was right there, ready to stop the action.

Check out video of the finish below (via X):

HEADKICK ENDS THIS ONE 🇬🇪

Otari Tanzilovi gets the KO in R2 with a SWEET kick upstairs!

[ #UFCVegas122 | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/c08jE6EOpW

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) October 11, 2026

During his post-fight interview, Tanzilovi admitted he was rocked by Wellmaker in the opening round, but he was able to collect himself and land the head kick technique he said he spent plenty of time working on to secure his highlight finish.

The moment marked Tanzilovi’s first UFC victory. His debut in June didn’t go his way, as he came up short on the scorecards against Shane Collins. Wellmaker has now lost three straight after winning his first two UFC bouts by first-round stoppage.

• Otari Tanzilovi def. Malcolm Wellmaker via knockout (head kick) – Round 2, 2:39
• Julius Walker def. Gerald Meerschaert via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:35
• Francisco Prado def. Ismael Bonfim via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:32
• Niko Price def. Leon Shahbazyan via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:58
• Brendson Ribeiro def. Felipe Franco via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:49
• Allen Frye Jr. def. RJ Harris via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:59
• Alice Pereira def. Daria Zhelezniakova via TKO (retirement) – Round 1, 5:00
• Ernesta Kareckaite vs. Melissa Gatto ends in majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Vegas 122: Otari Tanzilovi scores highlight-reel knockout of Malcolm Wellmaker