You only get one Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut!

Two rookies made their first walks to the Octagon this weekend (Sat., Oct. 31, 2026) at UFC Halloween (a.k.a. UFC Vegas 123) inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Impressively, the newcomers went a perfect 2-0, with both earning finishes.

Now that the dust has settled, let’s grade their respective performances.

One of the best female prospects on the international regional scene, Lucia Szabova made her highly anticipated UFC debut against veteran Tainara Lisboa—and she delivered, for the most part.

Szabova immediately took control with a sharp combination before clinching Lisboa against the fence and tripping her to the canvas. The former OKTAGON champion attacked a kimura and repeatedly dragged Lisboa back down whenever she returned to her feet. Lisboa briefly reversed position late in the round, taking Szabova’s back and threatening a rear-naked choke, but the debutant calmly escaped.

Lisboa opened the second round by shooting for a takedown, but Szabova defended and eventually planted her on the mat with an inside trip. From there, Szabova began to take over, controlling from top position and unloading heavy ground-and-pound before nearly finishing an armbar as the horn sounded.

By the final round, Lisboa appeared exhausted and increasingly demoralized. Szabova stuffed an early takedown, put her opponent on the canvas and advanced through side control, crucifix and mount. When Lisboa surrendered her back, Szabova flattened her out and unloaded punches until the referee stopped the fight at 3:20.

Szabova was the biggest betting favorite on the card because of her complete dominance in OKTAGON, where she became the promotion’s first female two-division champion. While she did not look completely untouchable in her debut, she progressively broke Lisboa and eventually secured the violent finish everyone expected (watch highlights).

The undefeated 28-year-old is an excellent addition to UFC’s Flyweight division. She may rely heavily on clinch pressure, but she is physical, aggressive and constantly searching for the finish.

I’d like to see her face Veronica Hardy in her second Octagon appearance.

Final grade: A-

The first fighter from Season 10 of Contender Series to earn a UFC contract, Joe Kropschot made his promotional debut against Nick Klein and did not disappoint.

Kropschot opened the fight with several damaging calf kicks, but Klein responded with aggressive boxing before securing a takedown. Kropschot remained composed under heavy top pressure, eventually fought back to his feet and immediately attacked a D’Arce choke. Klein escaped, but Kropschot continued scrambling, took his back and locked in a body triangle before threatening a rear-naked choke in the closing seconds.

Klein returned to his wrestling early in the second round, but that proved to be a major mistake. Kropschot once again reversed position, trapped Klein in an inverted triangle and isolated his arm, forcing the tap.

Every time Klein took Kropschot down, the UFC newcomer created a dangerous submission opportunity. Continuing to initiate grappling exchanges against the clearly superior submission artist was a boneheaded game plan, and Klein eventually paid for it.

Nevertheless, Kropschot again showed why he is such an exciting addition to the Middleweight division. “The Land Animal” has slick jiu-jitsu, underrated striking, and no hesitation about turning a fight into a chaotic scrap.

It was not a flawless performance—Kropschot was taken down multiple times by an opponent who entered with an 0-2 UFC record—but his composure and finishing instincts were excellent.

I’d like to see him face a striker such as Cezary Oleksiejczuk in his second Octagon appearance.