Highlights! Fatima Kline sparks UFC Nashville with brutal head kick knockout over Melissa Martinez

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Dan Hiergesell is an expert voice who serves as MMAmania.com's weekend editor, covering mixed martial arts (MMA) for more than 15 years, getting featured on programs such as Countdown to UFC and SiriusXM Fight Club, among others.

Fatima Kline opened up the “Prelims” undercard with a bang earlier tonight (Sat., July 12, 2025) at UFC Nashville LIVE on ESPN/ESPN+ from inside Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., stopping fellow women’s strawweight Melissa Martinez with a nasty third-round TKO (head kick and punches).

Kline, who was a heavy (and we mean heavy) betting favorite, looked good in the early going with pressure on the feet and meaningful activity. Martinez was expecting to defend takedowns in the first round so she was slow to get going, but Kline wanted to display her striking. Kline kept things going early into the second frame only to get caught by Martinez with a nice shot later on. It forced her to grappling just a little.

Most expected Kline to finish Martinez at some point and put a stamp on her third Octagon appearance so the rising prospect needed to pull out something special in the third and final round. Kline did just that with a blistering head kick that caught Martinez flush and sent her toppling to the canvas. Kline piled on a few insurance shots before Martinez was fully out.

Check out the video highlights above and let us know where this ranks among the best women’s knockouts of 2025!

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HEAVY LEATHER! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) crashes Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sat., July 12, 2025, with UFC Nashville. Record-setting knockout artist, Derrick Lewis, collides with undefeated up-and-comer, Tallison Teixeira, in a blistering main event mashup scheduled for five, five-minute rounds. In UFC Nashville’s co-main event, former welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson, locks horns with once-beaten Brazilian bruiser, Gabriel Bonfim, with a spot in the welterweight Top 15 up for grabs.

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For more UFC Nashville results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.