5 most explosive moments from UFC 267: Jan Blachowicz vs. Glover Teixeira

#4. Glover Teixeira rocks and strangles Jan Blachowicz to become a UFC champion

Glover Teixeira is the new UFC light-heavyweight champion - at the age of 42

Glover Teixeira came into his second shot at the UFC light-heavyweight title – this time against Jan Blachowicz – as a sizeable underdog. After all, the Brazilian turned 42 earlier this year, while Blachowicz was on the run of his life following his win over Israel Adesanya.

However, despite Blachowicz’s vaunted ‘Polish power’, it was Teixeira who had the punching power to win this fight. Sure, he ended up strangling the champion into submission, but he had Blachowicz on his back for the majority of the first round and couldn’t put him away.

The difference in the fight-ending second round was simple. Teixeira landed a clubbing left hook that wobbled Blachowicz’s knees and clearly had him in trouble. The Polish fighter fired back, but clearly wasn’t fully with it, and once a takedown followed, the fight was over.

Was this Teixeira’s most explosive UFC performance? Probably not, but it was yet another finish for his overall ledger. Given that it made him the oldest first-time champion in UFC history, it’ll be the one he’ll savor most.

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#3. Lerone Murphy uses a perfectly-timed knee to take out Makwan Amirkhani

Lerone Murphy timed a knee to perfection to knock out Makwan Amirkhani

English striker Lerone Murphy was bringing an unbeaten record into UFC 267, but he was also faced with his toughest opponent to date. Makwan Amirkhani might not have been ranked in the top ten at 145lbs, but ‘Mr Finland’ has always been explosive enough to take out any fighter in a sudden rush.

Last night, though, he was the one being taken out. Murphy didn’t win a $50k bonus for his efforts, but based on what he did, there’s no doubt that Dana White likely rewarded him handsomely under the table.

The first round went to Amirkhani, who used his grappling to force Murphy on the defensive for the majority of the stanza. Between rounds, it was clear that ‘The Miracle’ didn’t want that to happen again.

So when Amirkhani shot in for a takedown in the second, Murphy countered with a perfectly-timed knee, landing it directly to the jaw and knocking the Finn senseless.

‘The Miracle’ followed with a couple of extra shots but, to be frank, they were unnecessary as Amirkhani clearly wasn’t about to get up any time soon.

On any other UFC card – particularly one of the recent lacklustre Fight Nights – this kind of knockout would’ve had everyone talking today. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed, but it should still net Murphy a spot on the main card next time around.