By Michael David Smith
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If there was any doubt, it's now been erased:
Michael McDonald is one of the best young bantamweights in mixed martial arts.
The 20-year-old McDonald needed just 56 seconds to knock out Alex Soto on Saturday night at
UFC 139 , in the most impressive fight yet of his
MMA career. McDonald saw an opening in the standup early and floored Soto with a right hook, and although Soto did a nice job of regaining his composure and briefly getting back up, McDonald drilled him again, knocking him cold.
"That's one of my favorite moves. I'm always looking for it, especially if someone is coming aggressively," McDonald said of that big right hand.
The victory improved McDonald's professional MMA record to 14-1, including 3-0 in the
UFC . There are few fighters so young who have already accomplished so much in the cage, and it's exciting to think about what this young man has ahead of him.
And it was exciting to see what he did on Saturday.
UFC 139 Photos
Danny Castillo stays on top of Shamar Bailey at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Danny Castillo ground and pounds Shamar Bailey at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Danny Castillo finishes Shamar Bailey via first-round TKO at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Danny Castillo def. Shamar Bailey via first-round TKO at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Matt Brown attempts to takedown Seth Baczynski at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Seth Baczynski submits Matt Brown with a guillotine choke at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Seth Baczynski taps out Matt Brown with a guillotine at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Seth Baczynski celebrates his submission win over Matt Brown at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Seth Baczynski def. Matt Brown via submission (guillotine choke) at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Miguel Torres moments away from facing Nick Pace at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Nick Pace knees Miguel Torres at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Miguel Torres kicks Nick Pace at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Nick Pace's hand is checked at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Miguel Torres def. Nick Pace via unanimous decision at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Rafael dos Anjos tries to take down Gleison Tibau at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Gleison Tibau swings a left hand at Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Gleison Tibau throws down with Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Rafael dos Anjos tries to counter Gleison Tibau at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Rafael dos Anjos receives corner instructions at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Gleison Tibau def. Rafael dos Anjos via split decision at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Tom Lawlor enters to "Get Physical" at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Chris Weidman kicks Tom Lawlor at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Tom Lawlor gives props to Chris Weidman at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Chris Weidman def. Tom Lawlor via technical submission (D'arce choke) at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Chris Weidman attempts a choke on Tom Lawlor at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Chris Weidman puts Tom Lawlor to sleep with a D'arce choke at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Michael McDonald knocks down Alex Soto at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Michael McDonald punches Alex Soto at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Michael McDonald punches Alex Soto at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Michael McDonald tries to finish Alex Soto at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Michael McDonald goes after Alex Soto at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
The referee attends to Alex Soto at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Alex Soto wakes up after his knockout loss to Michael McDonald at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Michael McDonald beats Alex Soto via KO at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Michael McDonald heads to the locker room after his first-round KO win over Alex Soto at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Ryan Bader def. Jason Brilz via first-round KO at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Ryan Bader celebrates after knocking out Jason Brilz at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Ryan Bader celebrates after knocking out Jason Brilz at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Ryan Bader punches Jason Brilz at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Stephan Bonnar def. Kyle Kingsbury via unanimous decision at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Stephan Bonnar attacks from top of Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Stephan Bonnar controls Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Stephan Bonnar takes a breather in between rounds at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Stephan Bonnar mounts Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Stephan Bonnar knees Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Kyle Kingsbury punches Stephan Bonnar at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Kyle Kingsbury punches Stephan Bonnar at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Stephan Bonnar battles Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Stephan Bonnar eats a punch from Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Dan Henderson celebrates with his team after beating Mauricio "Shogun" Rua via unanimous decision at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Dan Henderson def. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua via unanimous decision at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Maurico "Shogun" Rua ground and pounds Dan Henderson at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Maurico "Shogun" Rua mounts Dan Henderson at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Maurico "Shogun" Rua ground and pounds Dan Henderson at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
The face of Mauricio "Shogun" Rua is a mess as he readies for the fifth round at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Dan Henderson exhausted heading into the fifth and final round against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Dan Henderson punches Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Dan Henderson punches Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Dan Henderson controls Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua punches Dan Henderson at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Dan Henderson ground and pounds Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Dan Henderson ground and pounds Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua kicks Dan Henderson at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua punches Dan Henderson at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua punches Dan Henderson at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Dan Henderson punches Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Dan Henderson uppercuts Maurico "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Urijah Faber calls out bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz after Faber's win at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Urijah Faber def. Brian Bowles via submission (guillotine choke) at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Urijah Faber submits Brian Bowles with a guillotine choke at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Urijah Faber looks to finish Brian Bowles at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Urijah Faber punches Brian Bowles at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Urijah Faber punches Brian Bowles at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Brian Bowles charges Urijah Faber at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Urijah Faber punches Brian Bowles at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Wanderlei Silva def. Cung Le via second-round TKO at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
The doctor attends to Cung Le at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Wanderlei Silva celebrates his win over Cung Le at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Wanderlei Silva gets up after stopping Cung Le at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Wanderlei Silva punches Cung Le at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Wanderlei Silva celebrates his TKO win over Cung Le at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Cung Le is backed against the cage at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Wanderlei Silva knees Cung Le at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Wanderlei Silva collides with Cung Le at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Wanderlei Silva charges after Cung Le at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Cung Le kicks Wanderlei Silva at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Wanderlei Silva hits Cung Le at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Wanderlei Silva blocks one of Cung Le's strikes at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Cung Le feels the pain of Wanderlei Silva's strikes at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Wanderlei Silva kicks Cung Le at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Wanderlei Silva and Cung Le clash at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Cung Le throws a kick at Wanderlei Silva at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Cung Le tries a spinning backfist on Wanderlei Silva at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 139 Photos
Cung Le throws a kick at Wanderlei Silva at UFC 139 on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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If there was any doubt, it's now been erased: Michael McDonald is one of the best young bantamweights in mixed martial arts.
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