Michael Johnson on Saturday added a late candidate to the discussion of 2024’s nastiest knockout.
At UFC on ESPN 63 in Tampa, Fla., Johnson (23-19 MMA, 15-15 UFC) knocked Ottman Azaitar (13-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) unconscious in brutal fashion with a blistering overhand right.
Though Azaitar was out from the initial blow, two more Johnson right hands cracked his unconscious head before referee Jason Herzog dove in and stopped the fight at 2:03 of Round 2.
A MENACING K.O. FOR MICHAEL JOHNSON 😳 #UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/AE8bfAC082
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 15, 2024
The win was Johnson’s second in a row. He beat Darrius Flowers by unanimous decision in February before having surgery in March. The win was Johnson’s 15th in the promotion and brings him up to .500 in his 15th year with the promotion.
After a 13-0 start to his professional career, Azaitar has suffered three consecutive knockout defeats.
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 63 results include:
- Michael Johnson def. Ottman Azaitar via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 2:03
- Joel Alvarez def. Drakkar Klose via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:48
- Sean Woodson def. Fernando Padilla via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:58
- Felipe Lima def. Miles Johns via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Miranda Maverick def. Jamey-Lyn Horth via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Davey Grant def. Ramon Taveras via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Piera Rodriguez def. Josefine Knutsson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 63.
