Cory Sandhagen's spectacular flying-knee knockout win over Frankie Edgar

Brendan Bradford

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Cory Sandhagen's spectacular flying-knee knockout win over Frankie Edgar image

Cory Sandhagen just slept UFC veteran Frankie Edgar with a spectacular and scary flying knee to the face in an early contender for knockout of the year. 

In the co-main event spot at UFC Vegas 18, Sandhagen took just 28 seconds to end it. 

As the all-action Edgar stalked forward, Sandhagen exploded into the air with his right knee just as 'The Answer' dipped to his left. 

The 39-year-old Edgar was out instantly, collapsing lifeless to the canvas.

There was silence around the UFC's Apex facility, but Edgar regained consciousness and was able to stand up by the time Bruce Buffer made result official. 

It's the second fastest flying knee knockout victory in UFC history, with only Jorge Masvidal's five-second beating of Ben Askren coming quicker. 



It's Sandhagen's second stoppage win in succession, but the American was left feeling a little empty afterwards. 

"I was excited to show off my wrestling skills because everyone thinks I suck at that, but I'll take it," he said.

"It feels good, man, but that's Frankie Edgar. I don't want to watch that happen to him, but better him than me."

Breaking down the stoppage, former UFC bantamweight champion Dom Cruz explained how the finish happened. 

"It was a little different to Masvidal's finish, because Masvidal knew Ben Askren was going to come to the middle and shoot, whereas Sandhagen kind of pulled Frankie Edgar back-and-forth, back-and-forth until he could time the perfect knee," he said. 

"It took a little bit more strategy but it was absolutely perfect. That's the only way you could put it. 

"He circled right, and right when Frankie changes levels, bam. He just jumps right into it. It leaves you speechless when Frankie goes stiff like that. The timing and speed that something like that takes place is incredible." 

Now 7-1 in the UFC, Sandhagen has put himself in title shot contention at 135-pounds. Current champion Petr Yan will defend the belt against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259 in March. 

Sterling earned a first-round submission win over Sandhagen courtesy of a nice rear-naked choke last June, but Sandhagen says he has improved and is ready for his shot at the title.  

"I'm a different monster than I was before I fought Aljamain Sterling - he taught me some lessons," he said.

"Yan was talking about fighting TJ (Dillashaw) after that fight - that's if he even wins that fight.

"That's garbage to me. Fight me. I'm the toughest guy next to Aljamain, and if Aljamain wins, I owe him a nap and he's going to get that nap.

"The winner of those two gets knocked out by me in July." 








 

 

Brendan Bradford