High Fives: A Highlight-Reel KO, Slugfests and a Victorious Beast

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Bellator 206 did not have a monopoly on MMA-themed entertainment during the weekend of Sept. 28-30. There were some riveting matchups at Rizin Fighting Federation 13 on Sunday in Saitama, Japan, and Legacy Fighting Alliance 51 boasted a spectacular and unusual knockout on Friday in Fresno, California.

Jiri finishes another one#RIZIN #RIZINFF #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/fPFPmZ3A64

— Jonnyboy (@JBNeverDies) September 30, 2018

POWER PUNCHING … In the main event of the MMA portion of the Rizin 13 card, the Czech Republic’s Jiri Prochazka met America’s Jake Heun in a light heavyweight showdown. It was soon apparent that the Czech had a considerable power advantage. Late in the first frame, Prochazka unleashed a barrage of punches on his backed-up opponent, which culminated in a right cross to the head which left Heun reeling. The referee had seen enough and waved off the contest 4:29 into Round 1. In emerging victorious by TKO, Prochazka improved to 22-3-1. He has won six straight bouts. Heun dropped to 11-8.

Daron Cruickshank knocks out Diego Brandao #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/e9xNpAoCVx

— Bestrafer7 (@Bestrafer7) September 30, 2018

EMPHATIC FINISH … Rizin 13 featured an eagerly awaited lightweight matchup between Ultimate Fighting Championship veterans Daron Cruikshank and Diego Brandao. Early in the second round, Cruikshank, standing with his back to ropes, launched forward, grabbed his adversary’s head in a clinch, pulled down and delivered a right knee that landed flush on the Brazilian’s face and sent him crashing to the canvas. The knockout came 17 seconds into Round 2. With the emphatic finish, “The Detroit Superstar” upped his record to 21-10. It marked his third consecutive victory in Rizin. Meanwhile, Brandao slipped to 23-13.



STANDING ELBOW … Croatian veteran Mirko Filipovic clashed with Guam native Roque Martinez in a heavyweight duel at Rizin 13. Late in the first stanza, the stocky Martinez had “Cro Cop” pushed into a corner of the cage, where they engaged in a standing clinch battle. Filipovic uncorked a left side elbow to Wada’s head that caused a nasty cut on his hairline. On the advice of the doctor, the referee called off the fight at the 4:58 mark of the first frame. Filipovic (37-11-2) has rattled off nine straight wins. Martinez fell to 13-5-2 in defeat.



TRIUMPHANT AT LAST … In other Rizin 13 action, gargantuan American super heavyweight Bob Sapp squared off against Egyptian MMA debutant Abdelrahman Shalan. The 45-year-old Sapp entered the match on a 14-fight losing streak. When the Egyptian poured on the pressure with punches in the first round, Sapp appeared to be wilting, but he managed to survive. In the third round, the tables turned, as a fatigued Sapp unleashed some huge punches on his out-of-shape and exhausted rival. There were plenty of impromptu breathers for both parties throughout this bizarre encounter. After three rounds, the judges sided with Sapp, who moved to 12-20. Shalan is now 0-1.

We heard that this is possibly the first midair flying knee to superman punch KO in MMA history!! #LFA51 @LFAfighting pic.twitter.com/JQkjTYtz00

— AXS TV Fights (@AXSTVFights) September 29, 2018

AIRBORNE KO … The LFA 51 undercard included a middleweight matchup between inexperienced MMA pugilists Kailan Hill and Adam Fugitt. A minute and a half into the duel, Hill leaped and landed a left flying knee, followed by a left Superman punch while still airborne. The combination rendered put his out-cold opponent on the floor 1:31 into Round 1. In pulling off the rarely seen highlight-reel knockout, Hill improved to 2-0, while Fugitt fell to 4-2.