Daniel Cormier hails Ryan Gandra’s ‘Joe Frazier’ left hook in UFC 329 win

Daniel Cormier was in the commentary booth when Ryan Gandra landed a fight-ending left hook so brutal it echoed Joe Frazier’s legendary power.

Gandra needed just 75 seconds to finish Zach Reese at UFC 329 on 18 October 2025 in Las Vegas. The middleweight stepped in with a short feint right, then fired a looping left hook that spun Reese’s head and dropped him hard. Referee Mike Beltran waved it off immediately, giving Gandra (10-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) his fourth straight first-round stoppage.

Cormier and Joe Rogan were quick to compare Gandra’s hook to Frazier’s signature power. The finish came after Gandra set up the shot with a feint, then loaded up and unloaded the left hand. The violence of the strike left no doubt-Reese never recovered.

The win marks Gandra’s first two UFC victories, both coming inside the first round. His streak now stands at four consecutive first-round finishes, including a Dana White’s Contender Series appearance that earned him the contract. The performance keeps him on track as a dangerous mid-tier contender.

The main card featured a welterweight tilt between Ian Machado Garry and Geoff Neal, while the prelims delivered Gandra’s highlight-reel knockout. The event ran at T-Mobile Arena, with the early finish giving fans a taste of what’s to come in the welterweight division.

Watch the finish below via X: