Felipe Franco Earns First UFC Win with Second-Round TKO of Levi Rodrigues Jr.
Felipe Franco claimed his first UFC victory by stopping Levi Rodrigues Jr. via knockout in the second round of their light heavyweight bout. The finish came at 1:40 of Round 2 during UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs. Usman and improved Franco’s record to 11-2 while dropping Rodrigues Jr. to 5-1 with one no-contest.
The matchup took place on the preliminary card Saturday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Franco entered as a seasoned Brazilian prospect making his promotional debut, while Rodrigues Jr. looked to protect a strong early career mark in the light heavyweight division.
Franco dictated the striking throughout the contest. He outlanded Rodrigues Jr. 52-26 in total strikes, connecting on 72.2 percent of his 72 attempts compared to Rodrigues Jr.’s 50 percent accuracy on 52 tries. Significant strikes showed an even clearer gap, with Franco landing 39 of 56 (69.6 percent) while Rodrigues Jr. managed only 11 of 32 (34.4 percent).
Neither fighter scored a knockdown. Franco completed three of six takedown attempts for a 50 percent success rate. Rodrigues Jr. attempted none. Both men recorded zero submission attempts as the action stayed primarily on the feet until the decisive sequence.
The statistics reflect Franco’s ability to control range and volume. He consistently found openings with cleaner connections and mixed in timely takedowns that prevented Rodrigues Jr. from establishing consistent offense. The second-round finish arrived after Franco hurt his opponent standing, secured a takedown, and closed the show with ground strikes.
This result gives Franco a strong start to his UFC tenure. Securing a finish in his debut against an opponent with limited losses demonstrates the mix of power and grappling that carried him through previous competition. For Rodrigues Jr., the setback marks the first official loss on his professional record and highlights the step up in competition inside the Octagon.
The light heavyweight division has seen steady turnover in recent years, with new faces regularly testing established names. Performances built on high striking accuracy and effective takedowns often earn additional opportunities as matchmakers evaluate rising talent. Franco’s debut effort positions him as a fighter capable of ending nights early when the openings appear.
Rodrigues Jr. showed resilience by absorbing volume and continuing to engage through the first round and into the second. His willingness to trade kept the bout competitive in stretches before the finish. Both athletes now carry data from a high-paced prelim that tested their durability and decision-making under pressure.
Franco’s path forward will center on building from this win and proving consistency against a deeper pool of opponents. Maintaining finishing ability while refining defensive awareness will be key as he moves deeper into the UFC roster. Rodrigues Jr. faces the challenge of recovering from his first loss and identifying adjustments that can limit an opponent’s striking volume and grappling entries.
The Oklahoma City undercard delivered several decisive results, and this light heavyweight contest added another finish to the night’s early action. Franco’s combination of accurate power shots and opportunistic takedowns ultimately separated the two and secured the stoppage.
As the light heavyweight ranks continue to develop, debuts that end in finishes tend to generate attention for the winner. Franco leaves with momentum and a clear demonstration of his strengths, while Rodrigues Jr. gains experience against a well-rounded debutant. Both men will look to the next chapter after a night that concluded inside two rounds.
