Johnson stops Cejudo in 1st round at UFC 197

Demetrious Johnson, left, fights Henry Cejudo during a flyweight championship mixed martial arts bout at UFC 197, Saturday, April 23, 2016, in Las Vegas. AP

LAS VEGAS, Nevada—Demetrious Johnson successfully defended his flyweight title for the eighth straight time, stopping Henry Cejudo in the first round Saturday night at UFC 197.

Working from a clinched position, Johnson landed a hard right elbow, followed by two knees to the body and a devastating knee to the jaw that sent Cejudo reeling. Johnson followed Cejudo to the mat, landing a couple more power shots that forced the referee to stop the fight at 2:49 of the round.

Johnson improved to 23-2-1 in handing Cejudo his first professional loss at 10-1.

On the undercard, lightweight contender Edson Barboza looked sharp in a unanimous decision over former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis. Sergio Pettis, Danny Roberts, James Vick and former female straw-weight champion Carla Esparza also won fights.