The main event of UFC Fight Night 31 was a middleweight bout as Tim Kennedy landed a left hook to knockout Rafael Natal in the first round.
The bout opened with the fighters exchanging leg kicks and Natal was getting the better of the action. They continued to to exchange strikes before Natal had a failed takedown attempt.
In the final minute of the round, Kennedy threw a leaping left hook and it dropped Natal. Kennedy would land a pair of strikes before referee Herb Dean came in to call the fight.
Kennedy (17-4) has won three straight fights and two of those wins have come in the UFC. The defeat for Natal (17-5-1) snaps a three fight winning streak and four of his five defeats have come by knockout.
UFC Fight Night 31 Results:
Tim Kennedy def. Rafael Natal via KO (punch) – Round 1, 4:40
Alexis Davis def. Liz Carmouche via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Yoel Romero def. Ronny Markes via KO (strikes) – Round 3, 1:39
Rustam Khabilov def. Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Michael Chiesa def. Colton Smith via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:41
Bobby Green def. James Krause via TKO (kick) – Round 1, 3:50
Francisco Rivera def. George Roop via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 2:20
Dennis Bermudez def. Steven Siler via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Amanda Nunes def. Germaine de Randamie via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:56
Lorenz Larkin def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Yancy Medeiros def. Yves Edwards via KO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:47
Seth Baczynski def. Neil Magny via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Derek Brunson def. Brian Houston via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, :48