Chandler’s front kick threw Ferguson off balance. UFC history counts few such cases
A front-kick to a pair of fighters cut their careers short.
On the night of May 7-8 in Phoenix, Arizona, fighters Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson fought at UFC 274. During the course of the fight, Chandler knocked out his opponent with a hard front kick. This fight did not go unnoticed. There is no reason to be surprised, because in almost 30 years of promotion history this knockout became the 8th in the history of Iron Mike. Let’s try to remember the other 7.
Vitor Belfort – Anderson Silva
The first to dare to check his opponent’s chin with his foot was Anderson Silva. This technique was only used in the 4th minute of the 1st round, when Vitor Belfort’s hands went low. The legendary Spider swung his leg quickly, causing the Phenomenon to fall on his ‘heel’. Anderson then landed a couple of control punches before referee Mario Yamasaki decided to separate the fighters.
Silva picked up his 14th consecutive win in the UFC – 2 more successful defences of the belt, and he fought Chris Weidman. That fight didn’t end so beautifully. A year and a half later, Belfort fought for the belt, but at bantamweight with fighter Jon Jones, where he lasted a little longer and let the win slip out of his hands in the 4th round.
Lyotu Machida – Randy Couture
It’s been three months and the main roster for UFC 129, has been updated with another fighter, Liotu Machida, who brutally executed Randy Couture, 46. It’s worth saying that the great veteran looked pretty chipper before the fight. Went on a series of 3 wins, two of which were completed early. The basic Greco-Roman wrestler earned victory points in his fights against Mark Coleman and boxer James Toney.
Liota was not about to lose. He started out in MMA with a 16-0 record, followed by 2 defeats. In the 2nd round with a clear shot to his opponent’s chin, he rehabilitated himself in the eyes of the fans. Machida took a long time to aim, but luckily Couture paid no attention. After a front kick, the legendary veteran collapsed on his back and his opponent continued to throw punches. The referee stopped the fight, preventing Captain America from taking away the rest of his health. After that bout, Couture retired from the big sport and his opponent continues his career. On May 13 he will fight Fabian Edwards at Bellator.
Benny Alloway vs Manny Rodriguez
It should be noted that all fights in the UFC where the decisive punch was a front-kick have involved a top fighter. In December 2012, this rule was broken by Australian Benny Alloway, who knocked out compatriot Manny Rodriguez. The tournament took place in the fighters home country, with Robert Whittaker fighting in a consensual bout.
During the fight, Alloway used kicks to throw his opponent off balance. In the knockout episode, he punched Rodriguez in the ribs. Benny delivered a traditional front kick as Manny leaned in trying to land a leg kick. Performing a defensive push, he hit his opponent right in the head. After that, he threw some more punches and waited for the ref’s signal.
Aristar Overeem – Travis Browne
August 2013, one of the main fights of the UFC Fight Night tournament featured Alistar Overeem and Travis Browne. The Dutch fighter was the favourite, although fans were not yet disappointed with his opponent. The end of the 1st round shortened the distance between the fighters and Travis was able to punch a leg kick to the jaw – Overim went down, after which the American hit 2 hammerfists and ended the fight.
Lyotu Machida – Vitor Belfort
This front kick is the most significant in the UFC and happened 5 years after the previous one.
Machida knocked out Belfort becoming the first UFC fighter with 2 KO’s in this fight. Vitor also distinguished himself as a fighter who was knocked out twice in a row by a front kick.
Liotou tried to confuse his opponent with false strikes while in the middle of the octagon. As a result of these actions, he fired a leg kick that hit his right cheek area rather than his chin. Belfort collapsed “soldiering” on the floor and his opponent bowed and knelt in front of him. Dragon realised that Belfort wouldn’t try to get up and didn’t finish him off. That fight was the Brazilian’s final fight in MMA. After 3,5 years he defeated Evarder Holyfield in the boxing ring.
Magomed Ankalaev vs Dalcha Lungiambula
Three years ago Magomed Ankalaev, a fighter from Russia, met Dalcha Lungiabula of Congo. Before that fight the Russian had already recovered from his defeat to Craig Paul. He managed to knock out Marcin Prachnio and defeated Clidson Abreu. The Congolese had a tough fight ahead of him.
In the 3rd round the fight was over. Dalcha fought back and thus gave Ankalaev the opportunity to land a kick to the chin. Magomed inflicted a right side kick on his opponent, frozen in the counter after being knocked out.
Frankie Edgar – Marlon Vera
On November 6, 2021, at UFC 268, the freshest knockout of all time occurred with a front kick before UFC 274.Veteran lightweight and former champion Frankie Edgar knocked out Marlon Vera of the promotion. After 2 rounds all judges unanimously decided that it was a draw, but 60 seconds before the end of the fight the Ecuadorian hit his opponent with a right, thus ending the fight.
