RJ Harris knocked out Alvin Hines in UFC debut 16 months after turning pro

RJ Harris needed less than two minutes to prove he belonged in the UFC, stopping Alvin Hines at UFC Oklahoma City despite turning professional only 16 months earlier.

The undefeated heavyweight took the bout on one week's notice, stepping in for Allen Frye Jr. at Paycom Center on July 18. Harris clipped Hines early, landed a follow-up uppercut, and sealed the finish with ground strikes before the first round was half over, per MMA Mania. The rapid trajectory raised questions even for Harris himself. When the call came, he told MMA Mania he felt genuine doubt about the timing. "I thought about it for a little bit and was nervous," he said. "Thinking about it and stuff like, is it the right move? Is it too soon? There was worry there, the fear of the unknown."

Harris balances fatherhood and full-time lineman job after UFC debut

Harris had logged wins on the regional circuit, including a decision over Contender Series veteran Phillip Latu, but the leap to the UFC octagon in such a compressed window is almost unheard of. Still, he credited belief in his ability for pushing him through the uncertainty. "It just really was kind of a no-brainer almost," he said. "I feel like I have the skill to be there. I just needed to prove to myself that it's a possibility."

The finish delivered that proof. Harris called it one of the best feelings of his career so far and said the big bosses at his union lineman job stopped by this week to congratulate him. He is already back on the job full-time while his wife, 36 weeks pregnant, prepares to deliver their first child. Harris plans to sit out until late October to adjust to fatherhood and the sleepless nights that come with it, then return for his second UFC appearance. Not many fighters go from first pro bout to UFC knockout in 16 months while holding down a full-time trade and preparing for a newborn, but Harris made it look routine.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — UFC Heavyweight rookie RJ Harris went from full-time lineman to the Octagon in 16 months – ‘Did it come too soon?’