J. Masvidal knees B. Askren. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @gamebredfigter
The welterweight (up to 77kg.) Jorge masvidal made UFC history by giving Ben Askren the fastest knockout in the company's history. It only took five seconds of combat for the North American to erase his opponent. What many don't know is the fatal blow was planned by Jorge's team before the success last Saturday (6). The fact was proven after a publication by Mike Brown, one of Masvidal's trainers, containing a video showing flying knee training went viral on the internet.
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“Calculating killer. 48 hours earlier,” Brown posted in the video’s caption.
The video recording was made 48 hours before the UFC 239 and shows Jorge performing exactly the same movements performed when the referee of the fight against Ben authorized the start of the fight. Both in the video and in the fight itself, Masvidal, before attacking his opponent, walks to his right and, immediately afterwards, runs towards his opponent, delivering the blow.
The strategy was drawn up based on the study of Askren, who is known in the world of MMA for his quality wrestling and famous attacks on his rivals' legs in order to take the fight to the ground, similar to what he did Chael Sonnen, recently retired from the sport.
In the press conference after the event, Masvidal stated that he and his team had insistently trained the strike and also said that his opponent was predictable, however, he did not imagine that the knee would be connected so early in the clash.
“He’s a pretty predictable guy. If you attack like an idiot, your head will be exposed and you will be hit. It doesn’t matter if the fight lasts 15 minutes or 10 seconds,” said Jorge.
In addition to achieving the record for the fastest knockout fight in the UFC, Masvidal also put an end to Ben's unbeaten career, which lasted more than 10 years. At 34 years old, Askren had already participated in 20 fights without ever having suffered the taste of defeat. The American, who is a former Bellator and ONE FC champion, was making only his second appearance since signing a contract with the company, involved in a swap with the former flyweight champion (up to 56,7kg), Demetrious Johnson.
Masvidal, 34, meanwhile, recorded his 33rd career victory and moved closer to an opportunity to face the division's current champion, Kamaru Usman in the future. The Nigerian is recovering from surgery on a double hernia that occurred in March this year.
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