Video: Brutal flying knee sends fighter crashing to ground at Combate Global

Davey Grant vs. Rafael Assuncao wasn’t the only fight on Saturday where the referee’s decision had serious repercussions.

After Alejandro Gavidia and Justin Vazquez stopped at the fence at Combate Global, referee Marcos Perez picked them up and Vazquez took advantage of the moment with an incredible flying knee that knocked out Gavidia instantly.

Check out the finish below, courtesy of @Grabaka_Hitman.

The win was Vazquez’s fifth in a row and fourth under the Combate Global banner, with Gavidia back on the drawing board after the previous win.

Gavidia’s knockout came the same night Grant put Assuncao to sleep with a rare reverse triangle choke. Moments prior, referee Keith Peterson deducted a point from Grant for grabbing the fence to avoid a takedown, and instead of dropping the fighters, Peterson opted to restart them on their feet.

Among those who protested the challenge was Assuncao’s cornerer and Xtreme Couture coach Eric Nixic, who told MMAMania that his protagonist deserved to be restarted in the clinch or takedown position for the work he put in to get there. UFC Las Vegas commentator Dean Thomas echoed Nicksik’s disapproval and said he would take the matter up with the newly formed Boxing Commissions Association Fighters Committee.

Veteran MMA reporter John Morgan cited NAC chief executive Jeff Mullen’s explanation of Peterson’s restart.