Buckley (right) scores the 'biggest knockout in UFC history. Photo: Reproduction / Twitter @ufc
In an atypical year, there was no shortage of knockouts that made fans cheer. Regardless of the weight category, in the 2020 season, athletes surprised their opponents and ended clashes in an impressive way, which earned some a bonus of US$50 (around R$260).
To remember some important moments, our team selected 10 knockouts that made the spectator sigh. Check out:
1) Deiveson on Benavidez
The confrontation took place on February 29. The clash between Deiveson Figueiredo e Joseph Benavidez should be worth the vacant flyweight belt (up to 56,7kg.). The Brazilian, however, did not make weight and, in case of victory, would not take home the title.
By the irony of fate, the Pará native had an impeccable performance against the North American. Safe and precise, Deiveson missed one of the biggest names in the history of the category and secured victory with a devastating knockout in the second round.
Months later, the Brazilian officially won the title, in a rematch against Benavidez. On that occasion, the 'God of War' promoted another run over, winning by submission.
2) Garbrandt on Assunção
Former champion in bantamweight (up to 61,2kg.), cody garbrandt he faced an ultimatum on June 6th. Coming from three consecutive defeats and at risk of being released by the organization, the athlete needed to win the match against Raphael Assunção.
No UFC 250, the North American, then under pressure, started slowly, but little by little, he loosened up in the duel against the Brazilian. After a balanced confrontation in the first minutes, 'Sem Amor' asserted his reputation as a provocateur and knockout artist and with a second remaining in the opening round, he lowered his guard and connected a hook of rare happiness, which entered cleanly on the chin of Assunção, who immediately fell unconscious.
With renewed morale in Ultimate, Garbrandt ended up chosen as his opponent for his first title defense. Deiveson Figueiredo at flyweight. The North American, however, ended up getting injured close to the fight, in November, and gave way to Alex Perez.
3) Ngannou over Rozenstruik
Considered one of the most feared men in MMA today, Francis Ngannou, for a few years now, he has been one of the favorites for a heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg) title fight. In 2020, the French-Cameroonian's dream of fighting again for the title ended up being postponed, given Ultimate's delay in confirming the trilogy between Stipe Miocic e Daniel Cormier, who ended up facing each other in August.
With no expectation of acting as leader of the category this season, Ngannou took on the challenge of exchanging forces against the giant and promising Jairzinho Rozenstruik, who was undefeated in his MMA career. The duel took place in May, in one of the most anticipated clashes in the UFC 249.
In the clash between 'carts', Francis came out on top. In a frank striking fight, as many expected, the French-Cameroonian proved his favoritism and won after just 20 seconds, obliterating his rival after landing a combination of punches. After the fourth knockout in a row, Ngannou was once again confirmed as the next fighter for the belt.
4) Blachowicz over Reyes
From underdog to champion. No sentence could better represent the challenge of Jan Blachowicz against Dominick reyes. Confirmed to compete for the vacant light heavyweight belt (up to 93kg.) after Jon Jones decided to give up the title, the North American arrived as the big favorite for the confrontation.
Reyes had faced Jones in February and ended up losing in a fight whose result was widely criticized by fans, members of the specialized press, fighters and even Dana White. At the UFC 253, then, Dominick would have the chance to prove that he was, in fact, the linear champion of the division.
The script was perfect for Reyes, however, there was a big problem along the way: Jan Blachowicz. The Pole took to the octagon and managed, in just a few seconds, to show that he wouldn't give his opponent an easy life and, in fact, he didn't. Aggressive and powerful, Jan punished his rival for almost 10 minutes and, at the end of the second round, settled the score with a devastating knockout.
5) McGregor over Cerrone
When Conor McGregor climb into the octagon, you're guaranteed entertainment before, during and after the event, regardless of the result. After spending more than a year without playing with Ultimate gloves, the Irishman, in January of this year, decided to return to action and took on the challenge of exchanging forces against Donald Cerrone, on the first numbered card of the year.
Even without a belt at stake, the event, in itself, was a success simply due to the presence of the 'Notório' at the 'MGM Arena', in Las Vegas. When many wondered what Conor's performance would be like after his defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov, at the historic UFC 229, and still playing at welterweight (up to 77kg.), McGregor gave the answer in a minute.
Against one of the organization's most charismatic and 'rounded' athletes, the Irishman showed all his aggression and, in exactly 40 seconds, scored a tough knockout against the 'Cowboy', who practically didn't touch his opponent.
6) Yan over Aldo
One of the biggest frustrations of Brazilian fans in 2020 was not seeing José Aldo once again sporting an Ultimate belt. Considered the best fighter in the history of featherweight (up to 65,7kg) in Ultimate, the man from Manaus had the chance to be at the top of MMA in July, fighting among bantamweights (up to 61,2kg).
In one of the main fights of the UFC 251, Aldo, even coming off a defeat to Marlon moraes – in a result contested by many – in his debut in the category, he was selected to face Petr yan for the vacant belt.
As in his debut with the group, held in December, the Brazilian surprised with a convincing performance. Faced with a younger and more aggressive opponent, the man from Manaus held his own for four rounds, but ended up falling victim to his opponent's fatigue and imposing appearance. In the fifth round, the 'People's Champion' was defeated by knockout and momentarily moved away from winning his second UFC belt.
7) Glover over Smith
A pleasant Brazilian surprise for the 2020 season was the confirmation of the great moment experienced by the veteran Glover Teixeira. At 41 years old, the Minas Gerais native managed to survive the natural renewal of Ultimate and has proven with each confrontation that he can fight on equal terms against the best in light heavyweight.
In May, the Brazilian was chosen to face the former title challenger, Anthony Smith, in a confrontation that could put Teixeira back into the top 5. In the fight, after a difficult start, Glover managed to control the actions and, for almost four rounds, carried out a true massacre against his rival. The miner controlled the actions both standing up and on the ground and, 1m04s into the last round, Jason Herzog chose to stop the fight, preserving Smith's integrity.
After the show, Teixeira was scheduled to face Thiago Marreta, in the confrontation that could define the next challenger for the belt of the group led by Jan Blachowicz. On that occasion, Glover submitted and remains the group's favorite to face the champion.
8) Gaethje on Ferguson
One of the biggest surprises of 2020 came from a fight that, initially, wasn't supposed to happen on that occasion. At the UFC 249, famous for being one of the first events that marked the return of MMA activities around the world during the coronavirus pandemic, Tony Ferguson should make the dream meeting against Khabib Nurmagomedov, in the fight for the linear lightweight belt.
Due to the lack of communication and prevented from leaving Russia, due to security measures adopted by the country, Khabib ended up leaving the event and was replaced by Justin gaethje.
'Thrown to the lion', but willing to shock the world, Gaethje accepted the challenge of facing the 'Bicho Papão', in the confrontation that ended up being valid for the interim title. A favorite at the bookmakers, Ferguson ended up surprised and was severely punished by Gaethje for almost 25 minutes.
After a real collision, referee Herb Dean decided to stop the fight at 3:39 of the fifth round, observing the accumulation of damage suffered by Tony during the fight. In addition to becoming interim champion, Justin ended a streak of 12 victories for one of the biggest names in the history of the category.
9) Adesanya over Borrachinha
In one of the most anticipated fights of the year, Brazil came close to regaining the belt that, for years, belonged to the legendary Anderson Silva. The script was perfect: high-level fighters, simultaneous rivalry and a title in dispute and both undefeated. These were the ingredients for the clash between Israel adesanya e Paulo borrachinha.
After months of negotiations, the show was confirmed for the UFC 253, in Abu Dhabi, on the famous 'Fight Island'. On one side, the champion, known for his technique, speed and physical resistance. On the other, the challenger, strong, aggressive, knockout, provocative and merciless.
In the fight, however, what was seen was a champion sure of his strategy. Against Borrachinha, Adesanya made no mistakes. With low kicks that prevented the Brazilian's actions, the Nigerian, little by little, controlled the actions and made the clash that, on paper, was the most complicated of his career seem easy.
Shortly after the middle of the second round, Israel settled the score after a combination of punches, which culminated in Paulo's knockout. After the triumph, in addition to keeping the belt, Adesanya extended his undefeated streak in MMA to 20 fights.
10) Buckley over Kasanganay
After listing names that stand out at the top of their categories, it was one of the most emblematic moments that will be remembered in the history of the UFC. In his second fight with the organization's gloves, in October, Joaquin Buclkey needed to recover from the defeat suffered in his debut and he did so in style.
Against the – until then – undefeated Impa Kasanganay, Buclkey, at 2m03s connected a masterfully executed blow. After having his leg held by his opponent, Joaquin, in the greatest 'ninja style', threw a spinning kick, which hit Impa square in the chin, who collapsed in a faint.
The image quickly turned the world around and the action, in addition to the winning bag, earned Joaquin one of the US$50 bonuses.
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