Watch Joaquin Buckley Deliver One Of The Craziest Knockouts In UFC History
WOW.
![joaquin-buckley-GettyImages-1229000331](https://www.maxim.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/joaquin-buckley-gettyimages-1229000331.jpg?w=788&h=444&crop=1)
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1315066583962849283
On UFC‘s Fight Island (Yas Island in Dubai) Saturday, Joaquin Buckley squared off against Impa Kasanganay in a middleweight bout. This is how you get $50,000 for knocking an opponent out cold and looking like a ninja in the bargain.
The spectacular knockdown happened in round 2. Buckley came in with a high kick that Kasanganay ably blocked and held. Then they entered The Matrix for a moment as Buckley leveraged his opponent’s tight hold on one leg to pivot and deliver a gracefully brutal spinning heel kick for the ages.
As seen in the video, the blow flattened Kasanganay. Lights out.
KO of the Year! 🔓
Go all angles on @NewMansa94's masterpiece 😳
[ #UFCFightIsland5 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/1ywVZzin5U
— UFC (@ufc) October 10, 2020
Analyst Paul Felder dubbed it “the greatest KO I’ve seen ever” and the fighters’ colleagues in the UFC quickly tweeted their admiration for the move.
💯
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) October 10, 2020
That move.
That’s 50 G’s!— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) October 10, 2020
Some crazy NINJA sh*t 😳.
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) October 10, 2020
Note to self: Don’t catch Joaquin Buckley’s kicks.
Noted. 😂😂#UFCFightIsland5
— Deron Winn (@DeronWinn) October 10, 2020
Wow we just witnessed the best KO of 2020 @ufc
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) October 10, 2020
Sherdog.com reports Buckley did receive a $50,000 bonus for the spectacular move.
As for Impa Kasanganay, his response—after he recovered—was a model of good sportsmanship.
Much respect you sir @marcgoddard_uk ! Thank you I love what I get to do. Came to fight left of my shield. God bless you and I appreciate your message. I hope to see you soon 💪🏿 Definitely Huge congrats on a such game shot @Newmansa94 way to fight. https://t.co/zSHkdrNhXw
— Impa Kasanganay (@kingimpa) October 11, 2020
It’s not the kind of move that anyone could easily reproduce, but it would be shocking if there weren’t several more attempts in UFC matches to come.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGNc9Zbl5my