Video: Robbie Peralta on the key to his comeback win at UFC 168

LAS VEGAS – Down two rounds to none against Estevan Payan and headed into the final frame at tonight’s UFC 168 event, Robbie Peralta’s corner had some pretty straightforward advice for him: Go knock this guy out.

Maybe not the most detailed or technical instruction, but it worked for Peralta in his preliminary-card bout at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. When he heard his coaches put the situation in those terms, Peralta said, “I [thought], that’s exactly what I need to do. I need to finish him off, put my hands on him, and just knock him out.”

And so, 12 seconds into the third and final round, that’s what Peralta (17-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC) did. A left hand sent Payan (14-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC) reeling, and Peralta didn’t let the opportunity go to waste.

“I just knew once I dazed him that I just had to finish him off,” Peralta said. “I couldn’t let up.”

For complete coverage of UFC 168, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.