UFC 202 results: Cody Garbrandt blitzes Takeya Mizugaki for first-round TKO

The question heading into UFC 202 was whether UFC bantamweight Cody Garbrandt could get the kind of win over veteran Takeya Mizugaki that could propel him to a title shot against champion Dominick Cruz.

In less than a minute, that question was answered.

While the two opened up trading carefully, trying to find their range and see what their opponent gave them, it didn't take long for the Team Alpha Male's trademark power to change the fight on a dime.

A blistering right hand badly rocked the Japanese veteran, but he was able to survive and scramble. Garbrandt, however, would not be denied and followed up with a series of strikes to the stumbling Mizugaki until referee John McCarthy saw enough.

Ultimately, the bout lasted only 48 seconds with Garbrandt the winner by TKO.

"That was a great fight with Takeya Mizugaki. I respect him as a veteran. I knew I had to go out there and put him away early," Garbrandt told UFC commentator Joe Rogan post fight.

"I notice I hurt him early on and just opening. Don't get overzealous. I was a big favorite. He's still a killer in there. He had nothing to lose. I knew I had to pick my shots and take him out."

When asked about his interest in facing Cruz for the bantamweight title, Garbrandt didn't mince words.

"What's up, Dominick Cruz? Where you at? I knocked him out faster than you," Garbrandt said. "I'm going to break your jaw. I'm going to show you who your daddy is for real."

The win brings Garbrandt's career record to a perfect 10-0 while Mizugaki falls to 21-10.