British UFC star Jai Herbert survives knockdown to flatten foe in dramatic first-round finish

Wolverhampton’s Jai Herbert came from behind to blow away Mandel Nallo in an enthralling one-round shootout at UFC Winnipeg on Saturday night.

‘The Black Country Banger’ was decked early in the fight by a crisp backhand and found himself in real trouble as Nallo poured on the pressure.

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Nallo rocked Herbert with a big knee and some follow-up straights, but the Brit weathered the storm and turned the fight on its head with a counter right hand.

The shot sent the Canadian tumbling to the canvas as Herbert rained down hammer fists, though Nallo was able to survive and get back to his feet.

Moments later, Nallo was dropped by another right hand, and this time, he wasn’t able to recover.

The referee stepped in and waved off the fight at two minutes and five seconds of the opening stanza as Herbert finished off his adversary with ground and pound.

“Yo Canada, did you enjoy that, or what? Canada is that 100 grand, or what?” shouted Herbert.

“Throughout training camp, I was telling myself I was going to knock him out.

“I came in here to get the finish, and that was it.

“So when he hurt me about four times, I just knew I was going to come back and get the finish.

“He was backing me up, and I knew I was going to get him with a counter on the back foot, and I nailed him.

“I caught him with a sweet shot, and he was out for a second, and then he came back.

“Then, he got up and boom. Nailed him with the backhand and dropped.

“But he is a tough guy, and I hope he gets another shot because he caught me with some beautiful right hands.”

Herbert improves to 14-6-1 with his first victory since August 2024, while Nallo falls to 14-4 after an unsuccessful UFC debut.

Asked what he wants next, Herbert added: “I just want another fight.

“I haven’t been very active. I want to be more active and fight in the summertime.

“Obviously, I’m 37, and I’m coming to the twilight of my career; I need to get the banger fights out.”