Alexander Romanov continued his unbeaten run in the sport, and in the UFC, with a dominant wrestle-heavy win over Jared Vanderaa at UFC Vegas 39.

Throughout the opening round, and into the second, the 260-pound Russian showcased his horsepower and grappling gifts as he was able to pick up and wrestle down his heavier opponent. In the early going, Vanderaa tried to put up a defensive front and keep the fight on the feet, but outside a wild exchange at the end of the opening round, the mat was where the majority of the fight stayed.

Alexander Romanov crushes Jared Vanderaa in two at UFC Vegas 39

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1446924811003912198

Towards the end of the second round, “King Kong’s” dominance on the mat really came into focus as he pummeled the American on the ground and kept him stuck near the cage. At one point, Romanov even had one of Vanderaa’s hands pinned to the mat as he battered him with the free fist.

Eventually, the battering became too much to allow to continue, and the referee stepped in with 17 seconds left in the round. Leaving Vanderra on the mat bloody and bewildered.

https://twitter.com/espnmma/status/1446926620955058180

The win moved the 30-year-olds record to 15-0 overall, and 4-0 inside the Octagon. All four of Romanov’s wins are finishes and he could find himself in the heavyweight top-15 come next week

The loss drops “The Mountain” to 12-6 overall, as he also falls to 1-2 in his three-fight UFC run.