The UFC fight between Impa Kasanganay and Joaquin Buckley on October 10, 2020, is remembered for one of the most spectacular knockouts in MMA history. Buckley landed a spinning back kick that instantly went viral across social media platforms.
Here are the essential details of the bout:
Aspect
Details
Event
UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen
Date
October 10, 2020
Location
UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Weight Class
Middleweight (185 lbs)
Result
Joaquin Buckley won by KO (Jump Spinning Back Kick) at 2:03 of Round 2
The Viral Knockout: How It Happened
The knockout was the result of a split-second, improvised reaction that Buckley had previously visualized.
The Setup: Earlier in the fight, Kasanganay had caught and held onto Buckley’s left kicks on a couple of occasions. Buckley noted this and later said, “if he does that again, I have the ability to capitalize on that”.
The Moment: In the second round, Buckley threw a left high kick that Kasanganay blocked and caught with his left hand. As Kasanganay held the leg, Buckley used it for leverage. He spun in the same direction and unleashed a wicked spinning back kick with his right leg, catching Kasanganay flush on the jaw.
The Aftermath: The impact knocked Kasanganay unconscious, and he fell stiffly to the canvas. Referee Kevin Sataki immediately stopped the fight. Kasanganay later admitted, “I held the kick a little too long… It was a beautiful technique, really”.
Reaction and Legacy
The knockout immediately stunned the MMA world and achieved massive popularity online.
Fighter Reactions: Prominent UFC fighters took to social media to express their amazement. Israel Adesanya called it “50 G’s!” while Justin Gaethje declared it the “best KO of 2020.” Francis Ngannou described it as “Some crazy NINJA sh*t”.
Viral Sensation: The video of the knockout became a massive viral hit for the UFC. A UFC tweet of the KO became the most-liked, most-retweeted, and most-viewed tweet in UFC history at that time. Across its social media platforms, the knockout video amassed over 65 million views.
Lasting Impact: Buckley’s cornerman, Micheal Gillmore, stated that the knockout had made Buckley “immortal” in the sport, a highlight that will be replayed for as long as the UFC exists. MMA Fighting also named it the 2020 Knockout of the Year.