UFC 319 in Chicago gave fans a night to remember, not just because Khamzat Chimaev won the middleweight title, but because two incredible knockouts happened one after another.
In the first of the two fights, Carlos Prates knocked out Geoff Neal with a spinning back elbow right at the end of the first round. The punch landed just before the bell rang, and Neal collapsed to the floor. It was only the ninth spinning back elbow knockout in UFC history. UFC boss Dana White was so impressed, he told Prates he would be on a big card in Brazil soon, maybe even fighting a top name like Leon Edwards.
Then came Lerone Murphy, who also won his fight with a spinning back elbow in the very next bout. He knocked out Aaron Pico in the first round too, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Both Prates and Murphy earned $50,000 bonuses for their stunning knockouts. It was a rare sight to see two such finishes back-to-back on the same UFC card.
Later that night, Khamzat Chimaev dominated champion Dricus du Plessis in the main event to win the UFC middleweight title by unanimous decision. But even with that big win, many fans will remember UFC 319 as the night of the spinning elbow KOs.
Shocking! Elijah Smith Floors Toshiomi Kazama Unconscious With Nasty Powerbomb Knockout At UFC Vegas 109; Video
UFC Vegas 109 saw one of the most shocking knockouts in recent memory when Elijah Smith defeated Toshiomi Kazama with a brutal powerbomb-style slam. The fight was part of the prelims, and Kazama had tried to lock in a triangle choke. Smith lifted him high and slammed him to the canvas, knocking him unconscious instantly.
The referee was slow to step in, allowing Smith to land two more punches before stopping the fight, which drew criticism from fans and commentators. Medical staff quickly entered the cage, and Kazama was taken to the hospital. Thankfully, scans showed no serious injuries, and he is expected to recover soon.
For Smith, this win improved his UFC record to 2-0 and his overall MMA record to 9-1. The performance showcased his strength and could push him closer to a spot in the bantamweight rankings.
