A new and improved Pat Barry knocks out Christian Morecraft at UFC on FX 1

Pat Barry broke a two-fight losing skid with a first-round knockout of Christian Morecraft at UFC on FX 1 in Nashville on Friday. The path to Barry's knockout win was paved with a much better ground game from Barry.

As the fight started, Morecraft caught Barry's kick, took Barry down, and immediately tried for a rear naked choke. Morecraft wasn't in good position for the choke, and Barry defended it, then pushed Morecraft off of him. After they returned to their feet, Barry landed stiff jabs that damaged Morecraft's face. Morecraft got a takedown and briefly moved into full mount before getting an armbar.

Barry showed greatly improved submission defense, working his way out of the submission. When they returned to their feet, Barry threw a massive left hook and knocked Morecraft to the ground. He finished with three strikes on the ground before referee Herb Dean stepped in and stopped the fight at 3:38 in the first round.

This is the best Barry has looked in a year. He was on a two-fight losing streak, but this Barry finally had a ground game and submission defense.

"I'm sorry. That took me nine choked out experiences to make that happen," Barry said after the bout.