HE KNOCKED HIM OUT WITH THE SLAM @jojo_monkeyking
#UFCVegas16 pic.twitter.com/JSDgYRaJkH— ESPN MMA (@espnmma)
December 6, 2020
Slam knockouts are an infrequent occurence in UFC competition.
So infrequent, in fact, that there have been just 12 in the history
of the Las Vegas-based promotion after Jordan
Leavitt knocked Matt Wiman
unconscious with a slam just 22 seconds into the opening round of
their lightweight clash at
UFC on ESPN 19. It was certainly a memorable way to make an
Octagon debut for the recent Dana White’s Contender Series
competitor.
“It’s crazy. I’ve never removed anybody from their consciousness
before in a fight, that’s my first time,” Leavitt said. “Honestly
it’s a little bit anticlimactic. I’ve been waiting for this for 10
years and then it’s over very quickly, but definitely really
happy.”
Leavitt’s finish was beautifully executed. The Syndicate MMA
product changed levels for a double-leg takedown, lifted his
opponent off the canvas and then carried him across the Octagon to
his corner. From there, Leavitt framed Wiman’s neck with his left
arm and powered him to the mat. Wiman was instantly unconscious,
and Leavitt didn’t need any follow-up strikes to secure his first
UFC victory.
It was a moment that proved to be simulateously exhilarating and
sobering.
“I never want to lose. Losing means a smaller paycheck, it means
less stability for me and my family, so I definitely wasn’t coming
out here to lose — but never wanted to hurt an opponent, never want
to crush them or affect their livelihood and their lives, so it’s a
lot of mixed feelings,” Leavitt said. “I’ve looked up to Matt since
I was like 14, 15. I feel like a lot of the tactics he used were
maybe t10 years ahead of the game and I’m happy to get a win over
him and I really hope he recovers and heals up well.”
Despite the violent nature of the fight, Leavitt claims that isn’t
typically the type of image he wants to project as his UFC tenure
progresses. It just turns out that on Saturday night, he took
advantage of an opportunity that was presented to him.
“My style is definitely an exhibition of the gentle art, not a lot
of that brutish nonsense that I just did I guess,” he said.
“Usually you will see me do a lot more relaxed, flowy jiu-jitsu;
nice, harmless front kicks, but today I hit him with the earth.
Sometimes that’s what happens.”
Leavitt has made the most of a difficult year, compiling a 4-0
record that culminated with a UFC debut that will leave a lasting
impression on the MMA community.
“I somehow found a way to have four fights this year even though
five of these months were of complete lockdown. I’m super blessed,”
Leavitt said. “My wife got pregnant and I have a baby girl on the
way, got my UFC contract and life is just looking up. I have
nothing to complain about.”