No.1: Yair Rodriguez vs. The Korean Zombie – 4.59mins of Round 5
On paper, Yair Rodriguez vs. The Korean Zombie Chan Sung Jung looked like it was going to produce fireworks, but it exceeded everyone’s expectations and then some.
From start to finish the fight was a stand-up war and both men found themselves having to overcome moments of adversity as they threw everything but the kitchen sink at each other in search of an emphatic victory.
By the fifth round both warriors were bloodied, but not beaten and seemed to have earned a new-found appreciation for each others heart and toughness in the Octagon, even stopping for a moment to tap gloves, smile and soak in the atmosphere before going right back into battle in the closing minutes of the fight.
Then in the final 10 seconds of the round, The Korean Zombie stealed himself for one last flurry and charged forward throwing heavy leather.
It was at that moment that something absolutely unbelievable happened.
Ducking down to avoid the incoming punches, Rodriguez then launched an upward elbow into the sky and with remarkably timing and accuracy it managed to land clean to Jung’s chin and knocked him out cold, sending him falling face first onto the canvas motionless just a single second before the final bell!
Given the unique nature of the finish, it’s devastating impact and the fact it’s the latest stoppage due to strikes in UFC history, Rodriguez’s elbow strike has instantly been hailed as one of the best knockouts of all-time, and rightly so.
