Hasan On Why He Fights After UFC Shanghai KO

Bilal Hasan stopped Nilson Rojas in the second round at UFC Shanghai on Aug. 29, collecting a Performance of the Night bonus in his promotional debut — his second knockout in under three weeks.

Hasan, who earned his UFC contract with a first-round finish on Dana White's Contender Series just 18 days earlier, dropped Rojas with a counter right hand in the second frame before landing a follow-up strike to close the show. The opening round had been competitive before Hasan pulled away, per Sherdog.

Hasan Sees Fighting As Giving Back

After the finish, Hasan revealed that he views the sport as more than a career path. "I don't want to get all religious or spiritual or anything like that, but I feel like we're all put on this earth to give back in some way," he said in a post-fight interview. "I feel like when I'm doing this, even when I'm just training and I'm helping out people in my gym, I feel like I'm giving my truest gift back to the world."

He continued: "And I feel like that's our duty as men in this world: to give back in one way or another."

The promotional newcomer fought twice in less than a month, making the quick turnaround from his Contender Series appearance to the Shanghai card. No timeline has been announced for his next Octagon appearance.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Two knockouts in 18 days, but Bilal Hasan is fighting for something more