Much of the pre-fight discussion surrounding Luis Alberto Lopez’s ring return on Saturday night centered around his readiness to return following a brain bleed he incurred during his last fight. Now, the public also has a first-round knockout win to discuss.

The former IBF featherweight titleholder returned to the ring on Saturday in his hometown of Mexicali, Mexico, knocking out Eduardo Montoya in the first round of their ten-round scheduled fight at Palenque del Fex.

“Venado” Lopez, 31-3 (18 KOs), had the right style in front of him to make a strong statement, as Montoya, 21-8-1 (14 KOs), seemed determined to test just how healthy Lopez was from the outset. Montoya landed a pair of counter left hooks in the opening moments, though they didn’t seem to affect Lopez. Lopez looked to be struggling with his accuracy at points as he swung wildly at his rangy opponent from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Lopez started to bait the taller fighter into giving up his height by waving him in. Unfortunately for Montoya, he took the bait.

After starting an uppercut, Lopez switched up his attack and fired a left hook instead, dropping Montoya hard into the ropes. Instead of trying to play keep-away, Montoya squared up and leaned in towards Lopez, inviting the left hook to the body which put him down a second time, this time for the count.

The fight was the first for Lopez since he lost his title - and nearly his career - when he suffered a subdural hematoma in a tenth round knockout loss to Angelo Leo last August. Lopez’s co-manager, Hector Fernandez, told BoxingScene earlier this month that Lopez’s MRI results had come back “clear and normal,” though it’s unknown yet whether he will be able to be licensed in the United States, should he attempt to fight there again.

The loss is the sixth by knockout for the 31-year-old Montoya.