'That was insane': UFC world erupts over brutal final-second KO
Grant Dawson has produced an incredible buzzer-beater KO at UFC Vegas 22, knocking out Leonardo Santos with one second left.
With 10 seconds left in the three-round fight, Dawson had Santos on his back and was trying to finish his opponent.
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With Santos struggling to defend his face, Dawson rained down a series of hammer fists to brutal effect.
The final blow knocked Santos' mouthpiece out and forced the referee to call the fight off with just one second left.
The time of the finish was recorded as 4:59 in the third, meaning Santos came agonisingly close to avoiding the KO.
When referee Chris Tognoni stopped the fight, Dawson raced around the cage shouting: “50 Gs! 50 Gs! 50 Gs, baby!” as the medical team was attending to Santos.
Santos stayed on his back for several minutes before rising to a seated position.
He needed help to leave the Octagon as his feet were dragging.
Paramedics did not put him on a stretcher but he was taken to a local hospital for observation.
UFC commentators and fellow fighters were left in disbelief over the crazy scenes.
Holy.....guacamole Grant Dawson #ufc #UFCVegas20
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) March 21, 2021
In the spirit of March Madness, Grant Dawson hits the buzzer beater!
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) March 21, 2021
That was BRUTAL! Wow Grant Dawson with the GnP KO!! #UFCVegas22
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 21, 2021
Holy hell Grant Dawson with hammer fists from hell!!!
— 1996 Jim Carey (@Datmmaguy) March 21, 2021
HOLY CRAP!!! GRANT DAWSON WINS WITH A HUGE KO WITH TWO SECONDS LEFT!!! THATS HOW TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION!!! #UFCVegas22
— Ethan Schaner (@EthanSchaner) March 21, 2021
Holy hammerfist that was insane!!!! 😳😳😳 Grant Dawson gets it done! #UFCVegas22
— David (@dprice2413) March 21, 2021
Dawson (17-1 in MMA and 5-0 in UFC) could have easily lost if the fight went to a judge's decision.
The first two rounds were fairly even with a lack of action, before the fight exploded in the final stages of the third.
The loss is Santos' first since May 2009 and ended an unbeaten run of 13 fights.
Dawson, who earned a contract in the UFC by winning at Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017, is now on a five-fight wining streak.
In his post fight interview, Dawson called out Clay Guida for his next fight.
UFC fight called off over COVID protocols
Meanwhile, Saturday's fight between lightweights Gregor Gillespie and Brad Riddell was postponed hours before the start of the event in Las Vegas due to COVID-19 protocols.
The UFC didn't expand on why the co-main event was scrapped and didn't divulge any information on who violated protocols.
The fight will be rescheduled for a later date.
The 34-year-old Gillespie (13-1) was slated to fight for the first time since losing to Kevin Lee 16 months ago.
The 29-year-old Riddell (9-1) has won his last six bouts.
with agencies
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