UFC 274: Michael Chandler KOs Tony Ferguson with ‘best face kick of all time’

UFC fans had their jaws on the floor when Michael Chandler knocked Tony Ferguson out with one of the most brutal face kicks ever seen.

Just a day after having his lightweight UFC title taken off him, Charles Oliveira proved he is the best fighter in the world in that division with an incredible performance against Justin Gaethje.

There was chaos at Saturday’s weigh-in when Oliveira was stripped of his lightweight title because he tipped the scales at 0.23kg over the limit for his fight.

Watch UFC 274: Oliveira v Gaethje LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Sunday 8th May from 12pm AEST. ORDER NOW >

The bout was allowed to go ahead but even after Oliveira’s submission victory against Gaethje, the lightweight belt remains vacant.

Both fighters came out swinging in a frenetic opening round and Oliveira fell on his back after strong blows from Gaethje.

But he fought back and entangled Gaethje in a tight chokehold around his neck and legs, forcing the American to tap out and hand Oliveira the victory.

Charles Oliveira was all over Justin Gaethje in this chokehold.

Chandler stuns UFC with best KO kick of all time

Michael Chandler has won his lightweight bout with Tony Ferguson in stunning fashion, producing a lethal kick to Ferguson’s face to knock him out cold.

Both fighters were evenly matched in the first round but it only took 15 seconds for Chandler to end the fight in the second period.

After sizing up his opponent, he landed a brutal kick to Ferguson’s chin that knocked him out immediately and set him straight to the canvas.

The referee intervened and Chandler celebrated wildly, backflipping several times before climbing on top of the cage and beating his chest.

It was one of the most savage knockouts UFC has ever seen and just the ninth front kick KO in the sport’s history.

Michael Chandler's KO face kick had Tony Fergsuon seeing stars. Photo: Fox Sports.

Ouch. Photo: Twitter @HansGutknecht

Chandler became the first fighter ever to stop Ferguson, who was knocked out cold for several minutes in the middle of the octagon before he eventually regained consciousness and took a seat on a stool.

The insane KO had the jaws of viewers and commentators firmly on the floor.

Joe Rogan said: “Oh my goodness. Wow. That was crazy. That was one thing we’ve never seen before.

“No one has ever knocked out Tony Ferguson and certainly not with one shot.

“He’s still out cold with his feet crossed. Tony is only just waking up now. That’s crazy.

“That was best front kick to the face of all time.”

Joe Rogan was all of us after that KO. Photo: Fox Sports.

UFC legend Daniel Cormier added: “This was like a soccer kick right to the chin of Tony Ferguson. This was a field goal to the face by Michael Chandler.”

MMA writer Adam Martin tweeted: “Omg!!! Chandler KOs Ferguson with a front kick Incredible!!!!

“Ferguson legit looks like he has no idea what happened. There are knockouts, and then there are KNOCKOUTS. Ferguson was out COLD.”

Omg Michael Chandler !! 💥 #UFC274

— Alex Caruso (@ACFresh21) May 8, 2022

That was one of the craziest knockout I’ve ever seen. Chandler wow

— Bradley Martyn (@BradleyMartyn) May 8, 2022

That was scary the way he went down 🤯 #UFC274

— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) May 8, 2022

Michael Chandler just became the front runner for knockout of the year. Incredible. Brutal. Wow. #UFC274

— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) May 8, 2022

After the victory, Chandler called out Conor McGregor and urged the Irishman to fight him.

“Conor McGregor, you’ve got to come back and fight somebody,” Chandler said.

“I am the most entertaining lightweight on the planet. But I want to up the stakes, Conor. I want you at your biggest, I want you at your baddest and I want you at your best. You and me at 170 this summer, this fall, this winter. Holler at your boy.”

McGregor responded immediately on Twitter: “I’d have a nice knock off this guy, no doubt about it. A firework spectacle. I like the 170 shout also. Tipped him over.

“I’m definitely game to fight this guy at some stage in my career. I see it happening after tonight. Congrats on a solid win Michael and another barnstormer.”

Drake makes insane bet

Drake is betting big on Justin Gaethje.

The rapper laid down $550,000 Canadian (that’s about $AUD600,000) on Gaethje to beat Oliveira.

If his bet comes off, Drake will win $AUD1.5 million.

Drake has placed over half a million dollars on Justin Gaethje to win the UFC lightweight title tomorrow night 👀

The bet would pay over $1.3M (CAD)

(@Drake) pic.twitter.com/2xwsau71q7

— br_betting (@br_betting) May 6, 2022

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier was stunned by the wager.

“There is not a human being on the planet that I am betting $500,000 on even if I had Joe Rogan’s money,” Cormier said.

“There’s no way you bet that much!

“But Drake, he likes what he sees in Justin Gaethje.”

Results

Main Card

Charles Oliveira defeated Justin Gaethje via submission (rear naked choke, R1, 3:22)

Carla Esparza defeated Rose Namajunas via split decision (49-46, 48-47, 47-48)

Michael Chandler defeated Tony Ferguson via KO (R2)

Ovince Saint Preux defeated Mauricio Rua via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)

Randy Brown defeated Khaos Williams via split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29)

Preliminary Card

Francisco Trinaldo defeated Danny Roberts via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)

Macy Chiasson defeated Norma Dumont via split decision (30-27 x 2, 28-29)

Brandon Royval defeated Matt Matt Schnell via submission (R1, 2:14)

Blagoy Ivanov defeated Marcos Rogerio de Lima via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)