UFC 239: Masvidal claims sensational five-second KO win over Askren; Rockhold’s revival derailed after vicious knockout
- Askren clearly dazed as he is removed form the octagon after several minutes
- Former middleweight king Rockhold beaten in light-heavyweight debut
Jorge Masvidal ended Ben Askren’s unbeaten MMA record in sensational fashion at UFC 239 after completing a one-shot, five-second knockout victory over the former One champion in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Masvidal claimed the fastest knockout in UFC history after ending matters with a flying knee that crunched into Askren’s temple in the first exchange of the bout.
Askren was in a bad condition immediately after the knockout and needed several minutes to fully regain consciousness before he was helped out of the octagon.
There had been some bad blood between the two in the build-up to the fight, and Masvidal (34-13) revelled in his victory, even while Askren remained supine on the canvas.
“I really wanted to beat his a** for 14 minutes,” Masvidal said afterwards. “I don’t want to say anything about Ben [Askren], because I’ve got nothing nice to say.
“That dude was talking wild and I had to show him that there’s consequences sometimes. You should have kept your mouth shut. You guys are welcome for (me) ending that dude.”