Oktagon 51 video: Samuel Kristofic stiffens UFC vet Karlos Vemola, referee flies in to stop fight

UFC veteran Karlos Vemola has delivered several first-round finishes throughout his career, but this time, he was on the receiving end of a brutal finish as a massive favorite.

At Oktagon 51 in Prague, Czech Republic, Samuel Kristofic ended a two-fight skid by landing a devastating two-punch combination that froze and timbered Vemola (36-8). A short left followed by a hard right shut off Vemola’s lights, causing him to crash to the canvas at 1:48 of the opening round.

Although Kristofic (17-6) immediately recognized his opponent was finished, the referee ran in and dove over Vemola, being mindful to not contact the downed fighter. There would be no further follow-up punches attempted, Kristofic began celebrating, cashing as a +450 betting underdog.

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

UNBELIEVABLE KNOCKOUT

‘Pirát’ Krištofič stops Vémola emphatically in the first round.

Years of trash-talk and rivalry has just been put to rest.

What a spectacular moment! #OKTAGON51

https://t.co/TVP7NaEp1x | DAZN | Channel 4 pic.twitter.com/MaBvwZhwyp

— OKTAGON MMA (@OktagonOfficial) December 29, 2023

Although he lost this outing, Vemola has been very successful since his exit from the UFC in 2013, building a record of 27-4. Kristofic picks up his first since a unanimous decision over Zdenek Polivka at Oktagon 36 last October.