Zuffa Boxing fighter scores stunning uppercut ‘KO of the Year’ with rival left twitching

Umar Dzambekov delivered arguably boxing’s best highlight-reel finish of the year so far on the latest Zuffa Boxing card.

Dzambekov was taking on Ahmed Elbiali on the third card put together by Dana White‘s new promotion Zuffa Boxing.

Zuffa Boxing

The Chechen-born Austrian had made a bright start to life in the professional ranks, having won all of his 13 outings going into the bout.

It was a big step-up for the talented light-heavyweight who took on an experienced operator in the Egyptian.

For both, it was their debuts with the new boxing venture, and a chance to make a real statement on the biggest bill so far.

And Dzambekov delivered a hammer blow, which drew the attention of the entire boxing world.

Dzambekov’s epic KO of the Year leaves fans blown away

Dzambekov looked extremely comfortable from the opening bell, boxing with real purpose and landing at will in the southpaw stance.

It was clear as day that he was looking to set traps to try and lure his rival Elbiali into a devastating curtain-closing shot.

And that is exactly what he did 53 seconds into the second period, as his opponent lunged in and left his guard wide open.

He detonated a booming and clean right uppercut which crushed into the defenceless ‘American Pharoah’.

It sent him crashing to the canvas in a breathtaking moment, with Elbiali clearly concussed by the ferocious blow.

Immediately, his left leg was left violently twitching and he looked around dazed and confused as his opponent towered over him.

The referee began counting, but it was clear that he was going to be unable to recover, as the contest was waved off.

Those inside the Apex were stunned, and thousands reacted from the boxing community.

One wrote: “It has to be KO of the Year. Nothing will beat that, incredible.”

Another even added: “One of the best KO’s in boxing history period.”

Dzambekov reacts to his sensational KO

It was a big victory which left Dzambekov’s name on everyone’s lips, and saw him scoop the Performance of the Night bonus.

Elbiali hadn’t lost in eight years since being stopped by Jean Pascal in 2017, so was a fantastic scalp for his resume.

Getty

On the win, the 28-year-old added: “I work on the shots, and when I see a chance I go for it.

“And [the] uppercut, you can ask my coach, I’ve been practicing that, exactly the same move, and it landed.

“So, I can’t complain.”