You only get one Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut!
Two rookies made their first walks into the Octagon this weekend (Saturday, October 31, 2026) at UFC Halloween (aka) UFC Vegas 123) inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Impressively, the rookies went a perfect 2-0, both serving.
Now that the dust has settled, let’s evaluate their performances.
One of the best female prospects on the international regional scene, Lucia Szabova made his highly anticipated UFC debut against the veteran Tainara Lisbon– and he mostly delivered.
Szabova immediately took control with a sharp combination before pushing Lisboa against the fence and tripping him to the canvas. The former OKTAGON champion attacked with a kimura and repeatedly dragged Lisboa back down as he returned to his feet. Lisboa briefly changed position late in the round, mounting Szabova and threatening a rear naked choke, but the debutant escaped calmly.
Lisboa opened the second round firing for a takedown, but Szabova defended and eventually planted her on the mat with an inside trip. From there, Szabova began to take control, controlling from top position and unloading a heavy ground and pound before nearly finishing the handcuffs at the buzzer.
By the final round, Lisboa looked exhausted and increasingly demoralized. Szabova scored an early takedown, put her opponent on the canvas and continued to advance via side control, crucifix and ground. When Lisboa gave up his back, Szabova flattened him and unleashed strikes until the referee stopped the fight at 3:20.
Szabova was the biggest betting favorite on the card as she dominated the OCTAGON, where she became the promotion’s first female two-division champion. Although he didn’t seem completely untouchable in his debut, he gradually broke Lisboa and eventually met the violent end that everyone expected (watch the highlights).
The undefeated 28-year-old is a great addition to the UFC Flyweight division. He can rely heavily on clinch pressure, but he’s physical, aggressive and constantly looking for a finish.
I would like to see his face Veronica Hardy in his second Octagon appearance.
The first fighter since Season 10 Contender series To earn a UFC contract, Joe Kropschot made his advertising debut in Nick Klein and did not disappoint.
Kropschot opened the fight with several damaging leg kicks, but Klein responded with aggressive boxing before securing the takedown. Kropschot stayed calm under intense top pressure, finally got to his feet and immediately attacked D’Arce’s choke. Klein escaped, but Kropschot continued to scramble, taking his back and locking in a body triangle before threatening a rear naked choke in the closing seconds.
Klein returned to his grappling early in the second round, but it turned out to be a big mistake. Kropschot changed position again, caught Klein in an inverted triangle and separated his arm, forcing a tap.
Each time Klein took Kropschot down, the UFC rookie created a dangerous submission opportunity. Continuing to fight the clearly arrogant artist was the bonehead’s game plan, and Klein paid off in the end.
Nevertheless, Kropschot once again showed why he is such an exciting addition to the middleweight division. “The Land Animal” is slick jiu-jitsu, understated striking and doesn’t hesitate to turn a fight into a chaotic scrap.
It wasn’t a flawless performance — Kropschot was taken down multiple times by an opponent entering the UFC with a 0-2 record — but his composure and finishing instincts were superb.
I’d like to see him face off against a striker like Cezary Oleksiejczuk in his second Octagon appearance.
Click for full UFC Halloween results, coverage and highlights HERE.