In the first round of UFC 281, Chris Gutierrez knocked Frankie Edgar out with a powerful knee strike, putting an end to the renowned fighter’s career.
The moment the battle began, Gutierrez was well-prepared as he displayed outstanding footwork and striking prowess to keep Edgar on the receiving end of his punches and kicks. Gutierrez made him pay with a leaping knee that struck flush as Edgar was determined to keep going forward.
At 2:01 in the first round, the fight was stopped by the referee after Edgar said that UFC 281 would be his final fight. Edgar instantly collapsed to the ground unconscious. Gutierrez later acknowledged that his mother’s battle with illness and that of his head coach Marc Montoya, who was also diagnosed with cancer in his kidney but still made it to the fight to corner him on Saturday night, had left him feeling quite emotional.
It’s been a rollercoaster, said Gutierrez. “I am a complete beginner. I shouldn’t have been here, according to statistics. Now I’m here. Being in Madison Square Garden is like coming true of a dream.
Gutierrez was highly aggressive right away, landing a number of blows on Edgar, including several leg kicks and a spinning back elbow that caught the native of New Jersey off surprise. Edgar was unable to properly build up any of his combinations because of the man’s extensive footwork and movement.
Edgar attempted to bridge the gap to set up his lightning-quick punches as Gutierrez continued to rule on the feet, but he never really had the chance.
Gutierrez launched a knee blow at Edgar’s chin as soon as he moved forward, striking him squarely in the face. As Gutierrez celebrated the biggest victory of his career, Edgar collapsed in a heap to the canvas.
Frankie Edgar Net Worth
An American mixed martial artist named Frankie Edgar is worth $2 million. Frankie Edgar, who was born on October 16, 1981 in Tom’s River, New Jersey, is a man of five feet and six inches and 146 pounds. A common nickname for him is “The Answer.” He has participated in the lightweight and featherweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has a reach of 72 inches, and is a master of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, and wrestling. He was formerly the UFC Lightweight Champion and is presently ranked number two in the unofficial featherweight rankings.
Frankie Edgar, a legendary UFC fighter, retires following his final defeat.
After being brutally knocked out by rising star Chris Gutierrez at Madison Square Garden, Frankie Edgar announced his retirement from mixed martial arts.
No matter what happened at UFC 281 in New York, the illustrious former lightweight champion intended to put away his gloves. And in the first round, he suffered yet another knockout loss thanks to a flying knee from Gutierrez, who undoubtedly raised himself in the rankings with the victory.
At bantamweight, Edgar appeared to be in good shape when he entered the ring, but the ten years younger Gutierrez brutally dispatched him before he could get much of a start. He was 41 years old and had lost five of his previous seven fights, including four knockouts and a particularly brutal pair in his last two.
When the New Jersey native went to shoot for a takedown and was caught flush with a flying knee, the crowd, who had gathered in full voice to support him, fell silent. He was fortunately able to recover sufficiently to express his gratitude to the crowd in a post-fight interview while also expressing his displeasure with the outcome and his love for the sport.
He said, “I adore this sport. “I didn’t want to go on that note, but this sport is a shithole. That’s all that matters because my family is here. This sport is brutal, so congrats to Chris. Thanks to all of you, this is fantastic. I love you all.”
Edgar has previously said that only the prospect of an exhibition boxing match against a fighter like Manny Pacquiao would tempt him to return to competition following UFC 281. He’ll probably not play again very soon, though, as he wants to put his family first following yet another devastating defeat.
The 31-year-old Gutierrez is eager to replace Edgar at No. 12 in the rankings, and with his extended winning streak, he may even move up. After a 36-fight career in the cage and despite only having one victory at bantamweight, the former lightweight champion was still able to maintain his ranking.
Read also: Erin Blanchfield defeats Molly McCann by submission in the first round of UFC 281 in New York
