Vannata levels Makdessi with wheel kick to headline UFC 206 Fight Pass prelims

Lightweight Bout: Lando Vannata def. John Makdessi via 1st-round KO

Lando Vannata needed all of 100 seconds to notch his first win in the Octagon.

"Groovy" not only atoned for a short-notice loss to Tony Ferguson, he scored a Knockout of the Year candidate, putting John Makdessi to sleep with a flawlessly executed wheel kick just 1:40 into their contest.

In the brief time they remained upright, Vannata flaunted some slick head movement while Makdessi flicked his jab in an effort to find his range. The 24-year-old would swiftly turn the tables after the 1-minute mark, throwing some leather of his own from range before unleashing the deciding kick on an unsuspecting Makdessi.

The 31-year-old Makdessi has now dropped three of his last four contests. His UFC record falls to 7-6.

Catchweight (158 lbs) Bout: Rustam Khabilov def. Jason Saggo via unanimous decision

Rustam Khabilov rode his vaunted grappling to spoil Jason Saggo's homecoming.

"The Tiger," who weighed in two pounds over the lightweight limit, did just enough on his feet to set up a handful of takedowns that earned him a sweep of the scorecards and extended his winning streak to four.

The pair staged a tentative standup contest for most of Round 1, with Saggo getting the better of the exchanges with kicks from range, but Khabilov responded with a few quick right hands before securing a takedown. "The Tiger" maintained top position until the frame's end, although Saggo controlled his posture to keep the damage to a minimum.

The second round's early goings were equally as tentative, with Khabilov landing yet another takedown midway through. After Saggo's crafty guard forced him back to his feet, Khabilov unleashed a flurry that sent the Torontonian reeling toward the cage. Saggo would recover in short order, but the onslaught, however brief, had him down two rounds going into the third.

Khabilov would repeat his trusty formula in the final frame, sealing Saggo's fate with another pair of takedowns.

Saggo sees a two-fight win streak snapped in his first fight in his hometown. His UFC record falls to 3-2.

Flyweight Bout: Dustin Ortiz def. Zach Makovsky via split decision

Dustin Ortiz beat Zach Makovsky at his own game.

The 27-year-old outgrappled a seasoned wrestler in Makovsky to take two of three scorecards and snap a two-fight skid. A talented grappler in his own right, Ortiz played the aggressor through the better part of the three-round contest, scoring a handful of takedowns and wearing "Fun Size" down against the cage.

Not surprisingly, the pair engaged in a grappling match in short order, with Ortiz finding some early success from the clinch before taking Makovsky's back in Round 1. Makovsky made it back to his feet and closed the frame with a takedown and a few moments of back control, but not before Ortiz scored some more points with knees from the clinch.

Ortiz would continue to outwork Makovsky in the middle frame, this time taking him down and landing some steady ground-and-pound from back control after staving off a leg-lock attempt. The 27-year-old secured the round with some more clinch work once Makovsky made it back to his feet.

The pair of flyweights traded momentum in a highly contested third round, as both incessantly angled for a dominant position. Makovsky looked his best in the frame, finally putting Ortiz on his back on several occasions, but Ortiz wouldn't stay put, impressing with some slick reversals. Still, Makovsky's sense of urgency and takedowns were enough to sway one of three judges.

Makovsky's UFC record dropped to 3-4 with his third straight loss. His last 10 fights have gone to the scorecards.