Given the rarity of which it happens, a vicious spinning-backfist knockout will always make waves within the MMA community. Enter Arthur Guseinov. The Russian middleweight's incredible finish of Tyson Jeffries 92-seconds into Showtime's Friday broadcast of the M-1 Global Challenge 26 main card was a KO that fight fans are sure to see again and again as ‘knockout of the year' discussions heat up.
The finish courtesy of MMAJunkie and Showtime. Mauro Ranallo and Pat Miletich call the action:
Guseinov (8-2) is no stranger to spectacular finishes. Six of the 27-year old's eight wins are by knockout, including three consecutive fights from 2009-2010 that were finished in the opening minutes by head kicks.
Jeffries (7-6) actually controlled the opening rounds of the bout, securing a quick takedown and transitioning to side control before the match retook to the feet. The loss is the second in row for the Team Quest product.
M-1 finalized a broadcast deal with Showtime in mid-February, and as one can see, it is already paying dividends for the subscription cable provider. Friday's event was the second of four co-promoted shows planned for 2011 by the organization.