Brad Riddell is a beast.
The product of City Kickboxing put on another outrageously entertaining performance in beating Magomed Mustafaev by split decision at UFC Auckland on Sunday.
Coming off a Fight of the Night win over Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 243 last year, Riddell went toe-to-toe with dangerous Dagestani Mastafaev in front of his home crowd and could be in line for another $50,000 bonus.
Riddell earned a couple of knockdowns and hacked away at Mustafaev's leg with low kicks, while the 14-3 Mustafaev fell back on his wrestling and grappling.
MORE: Jake Matthews beats Emil Meek | Cal Potter knocked out in first round
"I came in here for war and I came in to peform - I did both," Riddell said after the decision was announced.
"I was loving the moment had a smile on my face. That was a proper fight, it had a bit of everything.
"He's only lost to Kevin Lee, and Kevin Lee, I think I did that better than you, bro."
There were plenty of highlights throughout the 15 minute battle, but Riddell lifted the roof off the building in the final few seconds when - with blood streaming down his face from an elbow - he played up for the crowd while smashing Mustafaev with elbows.
#UFCxFOX - Brad Riddell pidiendo el aliento del público sobre el final de la pelea 👊 pic.twitter.com/r6H6T8Zh6K
— FOX Sports Argentina (@FOXSportsArg) February 23, 2020
Brad Riddell by split decision #UFCAuckland pic.twitter.com/BtqY8YPZd6
— ShayMyName (@ImShannonTho) February 23, 2020
Decisión divida pero justa. Brad Riddell gana la pelea PELEANDO, no buscando derribos sin daño. pic.twitter.com/BiR1mgqqqt
— UFC Latinoamérica (@UFC_latino) February 23, 2020
The win sees New Zealand fighters move to 2-0 for the day after Kai Kara-France scored a unanimous decision victory over Tyson Nam in the third bout of the day.
Australia's Jake Matthews earned his second win in succession with a hard-fought decision win over Emil Meek, while Melbourne's Cal Potter suffered a first round knockout.