UFC President Dana White this past week decided to share his favourite Octagon knockout of all time.
During an ask me anything Q&A via Reddit, White ultimately settled on Jorge Masvidal’s five-second knockout of Ben Askren at UFC 239 that happened back in July 2019.
White said:
“When I give you the answer everyone is going to think it’s because I don’t like Ben Askren. This is not true, I do like Ben, but it’s hard not to pick Masvidal vs Askren.”
The two fighters met in a welterweight bout at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, going into the bout Askren was undefeated and was rumoured to be close to securing a UFC Welterweight title shot.
Masvidal, however, certainly had other ideas, when the fight started the American sprinted towards Askren and connected with a devastating knee strike to the jaw.
Masvidal followed up with two more punches on the ground that ultimately secured the victory.
Since that fight last year there has been mutual respect shown by both fighters towards one another via Twitter, Masvidal tweeted:
“Shout out to @Benaskren who never tucked a tail after his loss. Made no excuses. Took it on the chin and never censored the haters like a coward.”
Askren subsequently replied saying:
“Sometimes life kicks your butt when you least expect it. Make no excuses and move on.”
Both fighters’ careers have moved in contrasting directions since then as Masvidal, otherwise known as ‘Gambred’ is currently on a three-fight winning streak having most recently defeated Nate Diaz via TKO.
‘Gambred’ is now expected to challenge Kamaru Usman for the welterweight championship later this year.
Askren meanwhile would only have one more fight against Demian Maria back in October where he was chocked out, which led to the former Olympic wrestler announcing his retirement from the sport once again after declaring his need for hip replacement surgery.
Despite his retirement from the sport, however, the fighter known as ‘Funky’, will have, according to White played his part in a knockout that may stand the test of time.