Well, that’s just scary.
Edson Barboza could well have solidified his status as the most devastating striker in the UFC with a formidable finish of Beneil Dariush in Brazil.
The strategy from both men was clear from the moment that the bout agreement was signed.
Barboza was going to be content to stay on the outside and tenderise Dariush’s thighs with the Brazilian’s notorious leg kicks while any success for Dariush was going to be dependent on his ability to close the distance and work from the clinch or turn the contest into a grappling match.
The problem with shooting on Barboza, however, is that one essentially must put one’s head into a woodchipper of frightening power.
UNREAL! @EdsonBarbozaJr is a human highlight reel. Flying Knee to the moon landed on Dariush FTW. #UFCFortaleza https://t.co/PNJtzlLvz6
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 12, 2017
And Dariush woke up realising just that on Saturday night.
As he changed levels in the hope of grabbing Barboza’s legs, the Brazil native took to the air with Matrix-like speed and crunched his knee into Dariush’s jaw.
Lights out!
One would think that the stunning flying knee knockout would be a banker for the best stoppage of Barboza’s career but, please, allow us to remind you of what he did to Liverpool lightweight Terry Etim in 2012.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PQH65dx4iE
Yep.
Barboza is a terrifying human being.