The main event of Bellator 125 on Friday night in Fresno, California was a middleweight bout as Melvin Manhoef won his Bellator debut as he defeated Doug Marshall by knockout in the first round. 
Manhoef would land a right hand that would drop Marshall face first to the mat and threw another punch before referee Jason Herzog came in to stop the fight.
After the fight was over, Bellator color commentator Jimmy Smith informed Manhoef that the victory secured him a title shot as he will meet the winner of next week’s title fight as Alexander Shlemenko will be defending the title against Brandon Halsey in the main event of Bellator 126.
Check out how members of the MMA media reacted to the knockout victory by Manhoef.
If Manhoef vs. Marshall represents the new Bellator, well, you can count me in.
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) September 20, 2014
With the current state of BMMA MW division, if the winner of this fight has an impressive performance, they could be next for title shot
— Jason Floyd (@Jason_Floyd) September 20, 2014
Sweet Jesus. Melvin Manhoef.
— Dave Doyle (@davedoylemma) September 20, 2014
Striking Stats: Manhoef (12/21 57%), Marshall (4/18 22%)
— Jason Floyd (@Jason_Floyd) September 20, 2014
Marshall basically did the Ric Flair face plant to the mat. — Dave Doyle (@davedoylemma) September 20, 2014
Melvin Manhoef brutally KOs Doug Marshall. I felt pain in my head and legs watching those punches and kicks. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 20, 2014
Melvin Manhoef basically bullied Marshall. It was done in moments.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) September 20, 2014
Melvin talking about nothing but love and respect after punching a large man’s lights out with a glancing blow. MMA.
— Dave Doyle (@davedoylemma) September 20, 2014
Melvin Manhoef gets a shot at the winner of Brandon Halsey & Alexander Shlemenko for the title.
— Heidi Fang (@HeidiFang) September 20, 2014