UFC on ESPN 52 video: Drakkar Klose bounces Joe Solecki's head off canvas for all-time slam KO
Slam knockouts almost never happen in the UFC, but Saturday was different.
On the UFC on ESPN 52 prelims at Moody Center in Austin, Texas, Drakkar Klose (14-2-1 MMA, 8-2 UFC) elevated and slammed Joe Solecki (13-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) for a rare slam knockout. The stoppage came at the 1:41 mark of Round 1.
Solecki’s undoing turned out to be an armbar attempt off his back. As Solecki sought a fight-ending torque, the side of his head was driven hard into the canvas with the slam for a direct impact. Solecki’s head bounced like a basketball off the mat and his lights went out.
WHAT A KNOCKOUT #UFCAUSTIN pic.twitter.com/Sv2EdyC9kE
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 2, 2023
The bout was Klose’s first since July 2022 and extended his winning streak to three. On the flip side, Solecki had a two-fight winning streak snapped.
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 52 results include:
- Drakkar Klose def. Joe Solecki via knockout (slam) – Round 1, 1:41
- Rodolfo Bellato def. Ihor Potieria via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:17
- Jared Gooden def. Wellington Turman via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:11
- Veronica Hardy def. Jamey-Lyn Horth via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 52.