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Josh Emmett created one of the most brutal one-punch knockouts in recent memory against Bryce Mitchell (16-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC)
Emmett stepped into the octagon for the third time in 2023, looking to snap a two-fight skid. Standing in his way was short-notice opponent Mitchell. However, Mitchell didn’t stay upright for long, as Emmett landed a devastating knockout punch at 1:57 of Round 1.
JOSH EMMETT ONE HIT WONDER 💥 #UFC296
Stream #UFC296 LIVE on ESPN+ PPV 🍿 https://t.co/R7p1InbYK6 pic.twitter.com/nMvnlhvH2Q
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 17, 2023
Bryce Mitchell was unsurprisingly out of it as his team helped him to the back following a vicious KO from Josh Emmett at #UFC296. pic.twitter.com/qkArsDXadf
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 17, 2023
The threat of Emmett’s power kept Mitchell on high alert in the early sequences. Emmett darted forward looking to land a right hand to the body, but Mitchell did well to evade the connection. Unfortunately for Mitchell, his defensive success did not last much longer.
Emmett would close the distance and sit on a right hand that found Mitchell’s chin. The strike knocked Mitchell out cold, and the celebration for Emmett was on. As cameras showed Mitchell on the canvas, his body began shaking in a seizure-like movement.
A few moments after the scary knockout, Mitchell was assisted to his feet and eventually escorted out of the cage.
Mitchell stepped up on short notice when Emmett’s original opponent Giga Chikadze withdrew due to injury. He entered the cage for the second time this year, following a unanimous decision win against Dan Ige in September.
During his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Emmett praised Mitchell for stepping up to take the fight. He also stated his claim as the “most powerful featherweight in the world.”