5 incredible short-notice UFC debuts

#2. Alexander Hernandez – UFC 222

Alexander Hernandez needed just 42 seconds to take out Beneil Dariush in his octagon debut

Current lightweight contender Alexander Hernandez has somewhat flattered to deceive for the best part of his UFC tenure. He's showed flashes of brilliance at times but still fell to defeat in three of his bouts in the octagon.

However, it’s safe to say that his debut with the promotion was an absolutely fantastic one. He was somehow able to knock off a genuine top 10-ranked contender despite taking the fight on just over three weeks’ notice.

Hernandez, who held a record of 8-1 at the time, was pegged as the late replacement for Bobby Green in a key lightweight bout against Beneil Dariush at UFC 222. To say nobody was giving ‘Alexander the Great’ would be an understatement.

However, despite Dariush’s phenomenal grappling skills and improving stand-up, it took Hernandez just 42 seconds to waylay him with a left hand, knocking him completely unconscious.

Everyone watching, from the fans in attendance to Dana White at cageside, was stunned by the performance, which naturally earned ‘Alexander the Great’ a $50k bonus. This debut was so good that almost four years later, Hernandez hasn’t quite matched it.

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#1. Khamzat Chimaev – UFC Fight Island 1

Khamzat Chimaev became an instant star after dominating John Phillips in his octagon debut

When the subject of fantastic short-notice debuts comes up, one name naturally comes to mind, current welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev. ‘Borz’ rocked to fame in 2020 following three wins in the octagon. The nature of those wins more than contributed to his hype.

Incredibly, Chimaev took his UFC debut fight against John Phillips on just a week’s notice, replacing Dusko Todorovic after he was forced out with an injury. At the time, ‘Borz’ held a 6-0 record, but hadn’t beaten anyone of note and was a complete unknown when he first stepped into the octagon.

That changed quickly, of course. Chimaev bullied Phillips with his wrestling, essentially treating him like a grappling dummy from the word go when the fight began. The Welshman managed to last into the second round, but soon gave up the ghost, tapping out to a D’Arce choke.

Fans across the world were blown away by the performance, which earned Chimaev a $50k bonus cheque. Incredibly, on equally short notice, he returned 10 days later to destroy Rhys McKee, breaking the record for the fastest consecutive wins in modern UFC history in the process.

Chimaev is now a bonafide contender for the welterweight title. However, despite his skills inside the octagon, his meteoric rise to fame remains the most remarkable thing about his run.