'Blessed' Hong Kong-based fighter Alberto Mina triumphs in first UFC bout
Brazilian makes an explosive debut by winning in four minutes against Japanese opponent
A lifetime of preparation exploded into just over four minutes of pure action for Alberto Mina at the CotaiArena in Macau on Saturday night.
The 32-year-old entered the Octagon as the first Hong Kong-based fighter to grace the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and he left it victorious, with the crowd on its feet and his arms raised in triumph.
To have the support I felt when I came into the arena and to hear the crowd yelling my name lifted me
The 32-year-old won his welterweight bout against Shinsho Anzai thanks to a pair of brutal uppercuts that sent the 29-year-old Japanese fighter to the canvas and saw Mina fly in to seal the deal. The hammer blows rained down and the referee brought an end to it all after just four minutes and 17 seconds of the first round.
“I’ve waited all my life for this and I just feel so blessed,” said Mina afterwards, with cheeks still shining red from the battle. “To have the support I felt when I came into the arena and to hear the crowd yelling my name lifted me. He was a tough opponent and I found it hard to hurt him, but when he went down from the uppercuts I knew that was my chance.”
Mina had entered the arena to thunderous applause, and did his part in pumping up the hype, raising his arms and calling for support. Anzai played bad boy, refusing to touch gloves before the start, a move that was met with a chorus of boos from the crowd.