10 Most Unique Knockouts In UFC History
3. Matt Hughes Vs. Carlos Newton - UFC 34
Finish: Power/Body Slam
In just May of this year, a title fight was decided by a slam that knocked one opponent out.
But before there was Jessica Andrade and Rose Namajunas, Carlos Newton and Matt Hughes produced one of the most confusing, controversial and nasty slam finishes in UFC history.
Newton ended the three-year reign of Pat Miletich atop the Welterweight division at UFC 31. Unfortunately for him, his glory wouldn't last long.
In his very next fight just six months later, Hughes would kick off his own record-breaking run with the title by being defeated via technical submission after passing out from a beautifully-placed triangle choke...
What?
In the second round, Hughes was caught in the hold, but fought his way to his feet, lifting Newton up and against the cage to release some of the pressure, but to no avail, eventually passing out where he stood.
The problem with the end result came after Hughes was unconscious, dropping Newton head first into the mat from quite a height.
Newton was knocked out cold on impact.
With his head in the middle of the triangle, referee John McCarthy simply didn't see that Hughes had already passed out, thinking he'd slammed Newton down on purpose.
When they both hit the floor and McCarthy saw Newton out like a light, he called the fight off in Hughes' favour.
In all the chaos, Hughes could be heard asking McCarthy "what happened?" and telling his corner after the fight that "I was out."