Jeff Monson knocked out in Christmas Day fight (VIDEO)

MMA fighter and UFC veteran Jeff Monson stepped into the cage on Christmas Day in his first fight as a Russian citizen. The 44 year old was knocked out by Cameroon native Donald Njatah Nua in under a minute.

The taller and faster Nua circled Monson at the start of their fight, testing the Russian's defenses with sharp left jabs. With no offence coming from Monson, Nua unleashed a vicious right that hit Monson on the side of his head and knocked him down.

Monson, nicknamed the 'Snowman', has now lost five of his last eight fights and has a 59-25-1 record.

Monson recently received Russian citizenship, following in the footsteps of legendary boxer Roy Jones Jr, who was also given a Russian passport earlier this year.