Bilal Hasan Wins by KO in His UFC Debut, Immediately Challenges Andre Lima

Bilal Hasan kicked off his UFC career with an impressive debut performance. The Indonesian fighter secured a knockout victory over Nilson Rojas in their flyweight bout at UFC Fight Night Shanghai, China, on Saturday, 29 August 2026.

This result firmly establishes that Bilal is far more than just another promotional newcomer. Carrying an undefeated 9-0 record with eight finish wins and his status as Cage Fury FC champion, 'The IndoNinja' immediately demonstrated his elite caliber upon stepping onto the biggest stage in global MMA.

Nilson Rojas, who also entered the bout unbeaten, became Bilal's latest victim. Bilal dropped his opponent with a clean knockout in the second round of the UFC Fight Night Shanghai main card matchup.

This win marks Bilal's second knockout finish in just 18 days. Notably, the two victories took place in entirely different countries.

Before competing in Shanghai, Bilal had already recorded a knockout win on 11 August 2026 in Las Vegas, United States. That result served as the critical credential that earned him an official UFC contract.

His UFC debut unfolded exactly as he had hoped. Bilal explained this victory forms part of how he frames his entire journey as a professional fighter.

"I don't want to get overly spiritual or religious here, but I believe we all owe something for the life we have been given on this earth," he stated during his official post-fight interview with UFC.

"That's what I'm doing. Even when I'm just training or helping people at the gym, I feel like I am giving back the true gift I received to the world."

"I think that is our duty as human beings, to give back what we have been blessed with in whatever way we can. Right now, that is exactly what I am doing with full commitment."

A successful UFC debut has not slowed Bilal's ambitions. The 25-year-old fighter has already publicly named the opponent he wants to face next.

Moments after his win was officially confirmed, Bilal called out Andre Lima, who also competed on the same UFC Fight Night Shanghai fight card.

Lima is considered one of the top flyweight prospects yet to break into the official UFC rankings. Like Bilal, the Brazilian fighter also earned his opportunity through Dana White's Contender Series, though he appeared on the show two years earlier.

To date, Lima holds a 5-1 record inside the UFC octagon. His only defeat came via unanimous decision against Kevin Borjas. Across his entire professional career, Lima holds a 12-1 fight record.

Lima returned to winning form in Shanghai, submitting Namsrai Batbayar with a guillotine choke in the third round. This performance however failed to leave an impression on Bilal.

"He fought right before my bout, I watched his entire fight from the locker room," Bilal noted during a separate interview with Paramount.

"Honestly, I was not impressed with how he performed. On top of that, it looked to me like he also missed weight for the bout."

"I have no personal issue with him, he seems like a good guy. But I am here to keep improving, I am here to become champion."

"I know in this sport you have to make your own moves, and I am just taking the opportunity that is right in front of me."

Notably, Bilal had already begun planning his second UFC appearance before he even stepped into the cage to face Nilson Rojas.

He had initially set his sights on UFC Fight Night Edmonton, scheduled to take place on 18 October 2026 in Edmonton, Canada.

That said, Bilal has now chosen not to rush his return. The gruelling back-to-back fight schedule over recent weeks means he intends to give his body proper recovery time before returning to full training.

"One hundred percent first I am going home to sit down and discuss everything with my coaches," Bilal responded when pressed again about competing at the Edmonton event.

"Truthfully I am in no hurry. I just fought twice inside one month. Consecutive fight camps take an enormous physical toll on your body."

"I want to go home, take time to properly evaluate everything, and most importantly keep developing my skills."

"I miss drilling jiu-jitsu, I miss putting in grappling rounds. That is what I have been looking forward to most right now: getting back on the mats with my team at Charlie's Combat Club. We will see what comes next."

With this emphatic knockout debut win, Bilal now holds massive positive momentum to build his UFC career. His next matchup will be finalised by his management team and UFC matchmakers, including whether the proposed bout against Andre Lima will be officially booked.