Sherdog’s Top 10: Knees

Mike SloanAug 11, 2015



7. Thomas Almeida vs. Brad Pickett
UFC 189 “Mendes vs. McGregor”
July 11, 2015 | Las Vegas


Whenever a great event or fight occurs, the pundits immediately rush to label it “the greatest in history.” When UFC 189 concluded, most fans and experts hailed it as the greatest UFC pay-per-view of all-time. That claim is up for debate, but the magnificence of Almeida’s flying knee knockout on Pickett is not.

After a rousing opening frame, “One Punch” tried -- and failed -- to land a flying right knee on Almeida’s jaw. The undefeated Brazilian stepped to the side, avoided the knee, popped Pickett with a jab and then gave him a taste of his own medicine. Only this time he did what the Brit could not and connected with a hellacious knee.

As soon as it detonated on Pickett’s face, he was finished. The American Top Team veteran was in dreamland 29 seconds into round two, his outer shell as stiff as a board before he met the canvas. While the show revolved around Conor McGregor and his rise to power, Almeida’s sensational KO started the main card with quite a bang.

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