Hall spin kicks way past Mousasi for victory

Fight fans have been waiting to see middleweight prospect Uriah Hall fulfill his enormous promise. On Saturday at Saitama Super Arena in Japan, they got what they wanted from “Prime Time,” as the former Ultimate Fighter finalist stopped No. 6-ranked Gegard Mousasi in the second round of their UFC Fight Night co-main event.

The TKO loss was the first in Mousasi’s 45-fight career.

More from Fight Night Japan: Full Results | Post-fight bonus recap |Barnett outlasts Nelson in five-round thiller | Hall spin-kicks way to victory over Mousasi | Horiguchi, Mizugaki, Brandao win in Japan | Watch: Uriah Hall’s KO kick against Gegard Mousasi  | Watch: Barnett’s passionate Octagon address to Japanese crowd | Watch: Uriah Hall talks after victory |Gallery: Best sights from Japan

Mousasi went on the attack as soon as the bout began, scoring a takedown and putting his ground game into action. Mousasi quickly moved into side control but Hall escaped immediate trouble - even if he remained on the ground. Mousasi stayed active, briefly attempting an arm triangle, but the game New Yorker stayed just as busy and nearly caught his opponent’s arm. With under 1 minute left Mousasi took Hall’s back and nearly sunk in a rear naked choke, only to run out of time.

Finally able to get the space to fire off his strikes, Hall made the most of that room in round two, jarring Mousasi with a spinning kick and then putting him on the deck with a knee to the head. Mousasi tried to clear his head but Hall was relentless in his follow-up attack, forcing referee Greg Kleynjans to halt the bout 25 seconds into the round.

Hall, who was a late replacement for the injured Roan Carneiro, improves to 13-5. Holland’s Mousasi falls to 37-6-2.