Completed Bout
Rashad Evans vs. Sean Salmon
Main Event | Light Heavyweight | 205 lbs
Rashad Evans defeats Sean Salmon via KO/TKO at 1:06 of Round 2
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Evans
KO/TKO
Round 2
"Sugar"
| 17-2-1 | Record | 18-18-0 | ||
| -650 | Huge Favorite | Betting Odds | +450 | Heavy Underdog | ||
| United States | Nationality | United States | ||
| Boca Raton, Florida | Fighting out of | Columbus, Ohio, USA | ||
| Imperial Athletics | Gym | |||
| 27 | Age at Fight | 29 | ||
| 205.5 lbs (93.2 kgs) | Weigh-In Result | 206.0 lbs (93.4 kgs) | ||
| 5'11" (181cm) | Height | 5'10" (178cm) | ||
| 75.0" (191cm) | Reach | N/A |
- Bout Billing: UFC UFN 8 Main Event (fight 8 of 8)
- Weight: Light Heavyweight | 205 lbs (93.0 kg)
- Enclosure: Octagon | Referee: Troy Waugh
- TV Commentary: Mike Goldberg, Joe Rogan
- Broadcast: Aired Live on Main Card
- Post-Fight Interviewer: Joe Rogan
- Evans Total Disclosed Pay: $24,000
- Salmon Total Disclosed Pay: $3,000
| Consensus Rank |
#23 Greatest Knockout of All Time
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| Your Rank | Register now to create your own rankings and influence the consensus lists. |
After winning The Ultimate Fighter Season 2 as an undersized heavyweight, former Michigan Spartan Wrestler Rashad Evans proved that he had potential in top flight MMA. After grinding out three consecutive, close decisions to start out his UFC career, however, Evans remained far below TUF 1 champion Forrest Griffin in terms of fan appeal. Evans did not seem to have the dynamism to knock people out cold with one shot.
That all began to turn around in September of 2006, when Evans stopped Jason Lambert with punches from the mount at UFC 63. The fight demonstrated Evans’s improving technical skills, and showed that he could use his wrestling to finish fights, not just edge them out.
The true turnaround for Evans in the eyes of most fans took place in the main event of UFC Fight Night 8, in which the reality show star took on journeyman fighter Sean Salmon in the main event. Coming into the fight, Salmon, a one-dimensional wrestler, was not considered a significant threat to finish Evans. However, none could have predicted the highlight reel finish that Evans would pull off on the experienced veteran, as Salmon would be on the receiving end of one of the most brutal knockouts in MMA history.
The opening round went much like most fans and analysts expected. Evans controlled the tempo of the fight, wore Salmon down with clinch work and wrestling, and maintained distance when he decided to strike. When a worn Salmon came out for Round 2, Evans saw opportunity knocking. As his exhausted opponent backed close to the cage, Evans launched a head kick that landed so cleanly that Salmon was unconscious before he hit the mat.
The bout showed just how much a single spectacular knockout victory can propel a fighter from a nondescript breadwinner into a superstar. With the video of the Salmons head kick being replayed literally thousands of times, the UFC threw its full weight behind “Sugar” Rashad. The win not only propelled him to contender status in the light heavyweight division, but also demonstrated his improved striking, power, and finishing ability, forcing his next opponents to gameplan much more cautiously for him. Just one year later, Evans would fulfill the newfound expectations placed upon him by becoming UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
