Home / Sports / Masvidal's Flying Knee: Askren Revisits Devastating KO
Masvidal's Flying Knee: Askren Revisits Devastating KO
9 Oct
Summary
- Masvidal's flying knee KO of Askren occurred in just five seconds at UFC 239.
- Askren admitted misjudging Masvidal's unique flying knee trajectory.
- Masvidal studied Askren's wrestling to anticipate his reaction to the gamble.
Jorge Masvidal's lightning-fast knockout of Ben Askren at UFC 239 in July 2019 remains a pivotal moment in both fighters' careers. The fight concluded in a mere five seconds after Masvidal landed a flying knee, propelling him to greater stardom while Askren, an undefeated wrestling specialist, fought only once more before retiring.
During a recent appearance on Masvidal's show, Askren reflected on the knockout, admitting he had never encountered a flying knee delivered with Masvidal's specific trajectory. He attributed his downfall to misjudging the angle, a mistake stemming from Masvidal's novel approach.
Masvidal detailed his strategic preparation, focusing on Askren's tendencies to shoot for takedowns when uncomfortable. He devised the flying knee as a calculated risk, aiming to deter Askren's wrestling while creating an opening. This gamble, executed with precise timing and an unexpected angle, resulted in one of combat sports' most memorable knockouts.
