After a first-round where he seemed in over his head, Jamie Mullarkey bounced back and smashed through Devonte Smith in the second round at UFC Vegas 38.

In the opening five minutes of their lightweight matchup, Smith seemed faster and more explosive. Landing thudding shots on Mullarkey and seemingly ringing his bell a few times. The fight looked like it was heading in the direction where “King Kage” would get a second straight win and finish as the bout entered the second round.

Jamie Mullarkey breaks Devonte Smith in two at UFC Vegas 38

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However, in the second, the Australian started to slowly wear away on his opponent with pace and key strikes. A stinging calf kick took some movement out of Smith’s lead leg. Then some strong attacks to the 28-year-olds body showed a clear momentum shift happening. As the round wore on, a hook from the Aussie landed and had a major effect as his opponent squinted in pain from the shot to his face. Things fell apart from there.

Mullarkey got smith against the cage and bombarded him with punches to the head and body. Eventually, one body shot made Smith collapse and the rest was academic.

The win was a second straight with both coming by knockout for Mullarkey. They follow a two-fight losing streak he had to open his UFC career.

For Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Smith, the loss drops him to 3-2 in the promotion.