UFC
February’s Top Five UFC Knockouts
There was no love lost inside the Octagon in February, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld as he selects the top five UFC knockouts of the month.
From a thrilling first and a spectacular upset with serious title implications, to a life-changing last-ditch triumph and a wicked walk-off KO, February spoiled fight fans with a bit of everything as far as UFC action was concerned.
These were the most epic knockouts of the month:
Honourable Mentions:
Three In A Row
Dustin Jacoby made it three knockout wins in a row when he whipped Julius Walker at UFC Vegas 113. The fight could and should have been stopped sooner, but “The Hanyak” was forced to continue doing damage until referee Dan Miragliotta, who was refereeing his 500th UFC fight, finally saw enough.
Out On His Feet
There’s no worse place in the Octagon to be than trapped on the fence, as this brutal knockout at UFC Vegas 113 showed. Nikolay Veretennikov had Niko Price exactly where he wanted him and unloaded to leave the veteran out on his feet.
Hammer Time
In a brutal display that would’ve had the godfather of ground-and-pound, Mark Coleman, smiling, Jacobe Smith stayed undefeated and handed Josiah Harrell his first loss by bashing him unconscious on the mat at UFC Houston.
5: Ruffy Rebounds in Style
Mauricio Ruffy bounced back from his first loss inside the Octagon with a stoppage win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 325, landing a thudding right hand that spelt the beginning of the end for “Ataman.”
4: King of the Jungle
Former middleweight champion Sean Strickland put himself right back into title contention with a shocking victory over the surging Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston. “Tarzan” was a relentless terminator and finally melted “Fluffy” in the third round, ending his eight-fight win streak.
3: Doctor Death Strikes Again
“Doctor” Uros Medic kept his 100% finishing rate intact and blasted his way into the welterweight top 15 with a stunning walk-off knockout win over Geoff Neal in UFC Houston’s co-headliner.
2: Brutal Hail Mary
Down two rounds and needing a finish in the third, Keiichiro Nakamura delivered the goods Down Under by sleeping Sebastian Szalay with a brutal knee to become the Road To UFC season four featherweight winner and earn a UFC contract.
1: Spot On
Melquizael Costa became the first man to knock out double-tough veteran Dan Ige at UFC Houston, and “The Dalmatian” did it in style with a sensational spinning back kick to the face.