Feargal McCrory (17-2, 9 KOs) was essentially being teed up as a showcase opponent for the former featherweight champion and Magsayo (29-2, 19 KOs) relished the opportunity to make a statement at 135 pounds.

Keen to win another world title in a historically difficult division, the Filipino fighter couldn't miss with either hand in the first round as McCrory's leaky defenses were laid bare for all to see early on. Despite being read the riot act between rounds, the Irish southpaw based out of New York couldn't help but charge forward into big punches.

That didn't bode well as far as his chances of success were concerned, because for every punch he would land, Magsayo would counter him with three or four sharp shots in return. Having fun and teeing off with combinations wherever possible, a right hand snapped the 33-year-old's head back midway through round three.

Somehow he was able to survive round four after a damaging onslaught in the final half-minute, during which Magsayo connected on a leaping right hand and the writing was on the wall.

Warned repeatedly that should he get hit like that again, the corner would stop the fight, they did exactly that just 21 seconds into the fifth after seeing him absorb more unanswered flurries in a merciful stoppage he didn't agree with. He didn't need to. "Magnifico" was making easy work of him without needing to step past third gear.

"I feel a big difference ... the weight, my training camp, I'm strong and powerful. This is my prime, my weight, let's go," he excitedly said post-fight. Tougher challenges must await the 30-year-old now to see just how good he'll fare at lightweight long-term.

Azat Hovhannisyan (23-6, 17 KOs) earned a three-fight deal with Zuffa after staying ready and it paid dividends in January.

Here, this wasn't a vintage performance but rather a dogged one as the former world title challenger fought through a left biceps injury for nine rounds, stifling and ultimately doing just enough to edge past Eduardo Baez (25-8-2, 10 KOs).

96-94 and 97-93 scores overruled a 95-95 drawn card, giving the veteran a surprising scalp on his promotional debut before doubling down on his desire for world title honors post-fight with Max Kellerman in the ring.

"I promise to be better next time, I was only 50 percent ... any big fight at 126 pounds, I'll be a champion. Jorge Linares-Luke Campbell, nine years ago, I remember it, now look at me, I'm still here," he defiantly stressed.

After a tentative opening round, Baez began intently in the second. He swung a barrage of punishing body shots, Hovhannisyan visibly shaking out his hand and biceps only served to alert his younger foe that the man opposite was compromised. Referee Allen Huggins twice warned Hovhannisyan for rabbit punching and low-blows, while his Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach called for more activity after conceivably trailing 3-0 through nine minutes.

A fight-high 18 punches in round five did the trick as he steadily turned the tide, starting with altering his punch mechanics to avoid aggravating an injury he didn't know just how bad it was. Baez was busier over 30 minutes' action (175-129 punches landed), but was drawn into close-range exchanges and did too much moving, precisely the opposite image he wanted to portray against a one-handed fighter who asserted himself as the aggressor.

During the non-TV portion, the four-fight undercard featured a pair of highlight reel finishes as two unbeaten hopefuls were stunned emphatically.

Washington's Alexis De La Cerda (9-0, 5 KOs) faceplanted Ervin Fuller (12-1, 6 KOs) with a sweeping right hand he didn't see, three rounds into the final prelim during a short-lived battle of unbeaten featherweight prospects.

Elsewhere...

Lightweight: Tony Hirsch (8-0-2, 4 KOs) bt. Robert Merriweather (10-1, 4 KOs) via majority decision (78-74, 77-75, 76-76)

Welterweight: Jorge Maravillo (12-0-1, 9 KOs) bt. Elias Diaz (15-4, 8 KOs) via fifth-round TKO

Featherweight: Troy Nash (7-0-1, 1 KO) bt. Bryan Rodriguez (8-2, 1 KO) via majority decision (80-72, 79-73, 76-76)