The world of MMA is a rapidly changing place. New faces come, old faces go, belts change hands multiple times per year, and fighters sometimes even try a totally new sport to them.
The tendency for the MMA world to be picked up, turned over, and slammed down on its head Matt Hughes-style makes it hard to really notice when a newcomer is the real deal or not. All eyes are on the big money events that amateurs can only dream of one day taking part in, so very few get the chance to watch debuts and early-career fights.
For Ollie Flint, this was not the case.
Flint found himself fighting Aaron Gray (no, not the former Toronto Raptor), who is only a veteran of two career fights himself. In the tale of the tape graphic in which both fighters information is displayed, Gray is seen smiling while Flint is an “Unknown Fighter” silhouette. You can bet that they’ll be getting a photo of him up there quick times for his next fight.
Flint held his own for the entire first round, consistently keeping Gray at bay and mostly backing him up against the fence. With only moments left and Flint seemingly ready to head back to the trainer’s corner for his first ever mid-round pep talk and cool down, Flint pulled off a miraculous spinning kick to the head of Gray. Gray immediately hit the deck and the fight was stopped a split second later in what became one of the most spectacular debuts the sport has ever seen.
While a stunning knockout doesn’t necessarily mean that a fighter will succeed in the sport, Flint definitely managed to turn a few heads. You can bet there will be a few more eyes on him next time he steps up to fight.
(H/T Bleacher Report)
