Top 5 first-round knock-outs in the UFC

#3 Luke Rockhold against Costa Philippou

A roundhouse to end the fight

The main event for Ultimate Fighting Championship 35 was a middleweight bout between Luke Rockhold and Costa Philippou, in a classic ‘southpaw against orthodox’ competition. Rockhold, having a notable repertoire both as a striker and a ground-fighter, was touted as the favourite, heading into the competition.

Rockhold held his ground for the ninety seconds, waiting for openings while tactfully coercing Costa to tire himself out.

A solid right by the southpaw (Rockford) opened up Philippou’s defence, leaving him vulnerable to a barrage of punches leading up to a clinch. Then around the halfway mark into the first round, a good couple of roundhouse kicks forced Costa to switch to a more defensive strategy, but it was too late. Costa had been opened up by the fierce striker!

A vicious kick to the gut by Rockhold was enough to send the challenger into a dizzying slump!