TUF Nations Finale results, photos: K.J. Noons quickly destroys Sam Stout

QUEBEC CITY – Fighting at 170 pounds clearly suits K.J. Noons.

The former Strikeforce title challenger made short work of Sam Stout in a contest moved on short notice from lightweight to welterweight.

The welterweight bout closed out the preliminary card of today’s TUF Nations Finale event at Colisee Pepsi in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following additional prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of a main card on FOX Sports 1.

The bout was over nearly before it started when Noons sent Stout crashing to the mat at the 0:30 mark of the opening frame.

Noons, who once fought Nick Diaz for the Strikeforce welterweight title, ducked and threw a right hook that caught Stout flush on the jaw. Noons followed the Canadian vet to the mat and landed a pair of pinpoint hooks that rendered his opponent completely unconscious.

Noons said he and Stout agreed to a welterweight fight to avoid a big weight cut and up the action. The fight ended explosively, but obviously not in Stout’s favor.

After losing his UFC debut this past May, Noons (13-7 MMA, 2-1 UFC) now enjoys back-to-back victories after a decision over George Sotiropoulos in his previous outing. Stout (20-10-1 MA, 9-9 UFC) now drops to a .500 win percentage and goes back to the drawing board after a unanimous decision over Cody McKenzie.

Up-to-the-minute TUF Nations Finale results include:

• K.J. Noons def. Sam Stout via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:30
• Sarah Kaufman def. Leslie Smith via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Ryan Jimmo def. Sean O’Connell via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:27
• George Roop def. Dustin Kimura via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-26)
• Mark Bocek def. Mike De La Torre via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Nordine Taleb def. Vik Grujic via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Richard Walsh def. Chris Indich via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Mitch Gagnon def. Tim Gorman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

For complete coverage of the TUF Nations Finale, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

Mike Bohn contributed to this report on-site in Quebec City.