Sherdog’s Top 10: Bellator MMA Knockouts

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4. Emanuel Newton vs. Muhammed Lawal
Bellator 90
Feb. 21, 2013 | Salt Lake City
It came out of nowhere, as lightning bolts often do. Newton separated Lawal from his senses with a sensational spinning back fist in the Season 8 light heavyweight tournament semifinals at the Maverik Center. A three-time NCAA All-American wrestler and former Strikeforce champion, “King Mo” succumbed to the shock-and-awe strike 2:35 into Round 1.

Newton’s awkward style gave Lawal fits for much of the first two minutes. He whiffed on an overhand right, saw the counter right hook from Lawal coming and unloaded with a spinning back fist. “King Mo” was out on his feet and fell to the canvas in slow motion, as Newton took aim at a rear-naked choke. Seeing Lawal was already unconscious and no longer able to defend himself, referee Jason Herzog swooped in for the rescue.

The upset was part of a seven-fight winning streak for Newton that brought with it the Bellator light heavyweight championship.

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