Cover photo courtesy of Edson Barboza’s Instagram.
Best knock out of all time. Many fighters claim the title but Edson Barboza (20-7, 12 KO/TKO) has arguably earned it.
Matched up to a strong opponent in Paul Felder (16-4, 10 KO/TKO) at this Saturday’s UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, it’s a race to see who can score the next knockout for their highlight reel. With flying knees, punches, liver shots, and the devastating spinning wheel kick, there is not a single area to escape the deadly strikes and lightning fast knockout attacks as Edson Barboza aims to get the victory.
Evan Dunham vs Edson Barboza: Liver Kick
UFC Fight Night 45: Cerrone vs. Miller – Atlantic City, New Jersey 7/16/2014
The general rule is to stay away from the kicks of Edson Barboza but against the heavy pressure and forward movement, Evan Dunham (18-8) wasn’t quite fast enough to escape the reach. Dunham is crumpled to the ground in agony after receiving a devastating kick to the liver from Barboza at only 3 minutes and 6 seconds into the first round and is unable to continue after several follow-up punches leading Referee Keith Peterson to stop the fight.
Dan Hooker vs Edson Barboza: Spinning Back Kick
UFC on FOX 31: Iaquinta vs Lee 2 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin 12/15/18
With a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and 7 wins via submission, Dan Hooker (18-8) would have stood a chance on the ground but again we see the power and precision in the kicks of Edson Barboza changing any strategy Hooker may have had. Nearly halfway into the final round, Barboza delivers a spinning back kick directly to the abdomen of his opponent which drops all of Hooker’s defenses. With the hands dropped and moments away from hitting the floor, Hooker absorbs a few extra punches before ref Rob Hinds is forced to call a stop to a defeated Dan Hooker.
Rafaello Oliveira vs Edson Barboza: Leg Kick
UFC 162: Silva vs Weidman – Las Vegas, Nevada 7/6/2013
Often compared to chopping down a tree, attacking the legs is a perfect way to neutralize any forward movement from an opponent. Rafaello Oliveira (17-8) would experience this first hand as Barboza continues a series of kicks to the knees of Oliveira that would topple the veteran making Barboza the first fighter to have two TKO finishes due to leg strikes. Attempting to continue after first falling, Oliveira is unable to avoid further damage with two more crippling kicks dropping him and Herb Dean saves Oliveira from any more attacks at 1 minute and 44 seconds of round two.
Beneil Dariush vs Edson Barboza: Flying Knee
UFC Fight Night 106: Belfort vs Gastelum – Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil 3/11/2017
Two months ago, Jorge Masvidal proved how catastrophic a flying knee could be against Ben Askren (UFC 239), but Barboza would do it two years earlier as we see a flying knee finish Beneil Dariush (16-4.) At 3 minutes and 35 seconds, we see Dariush feint a punch to shoot a double leg at Barboza, but this would be the perfect opportunity for Barboza to land the flying knee aided by the forward momentum of Dariush’s own shot. The result is an immediate knockout and Barboza walking away before adding extensive damage to an unconscious Dariush as Osiris Maia ends the fight.
Terry Etim vs Edson Barboza: Spinning Wheel Kick
UFC 142: Aldo vs Mendes – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil 1/14/2012
Knockout of the year, perhaps knockout of the century, Terry Etim (16-5) goes from a promising submission expert to an infamous victim after suffering the first spinning wheel kick knockout loss in UFC history. Just two minutes into round three, we see Etim unable to avoid the attack headed his way as the speed of Edson Barboza leaves little reaction time for the oncoming onslaught. Planting heal firmly on jaw, Barboza’s speed and torque of the twisting of his hips allows the spinning wheel kick to land with deadly precision forcing Etim into a prostrate board as his body crashes to the mat, immobilized by the pinpoint landing of the strike. Referee Dan Miragliotta isn’t even needed as a victorious Edson Barboza politely walks away from the unconscious Etim after the lone attack leaves an uproarious arena cheer the decimation of another fallen warrior.■
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