It’s essential see and listen to this spinning again elbow knockout. Mexican bantamweight Juan Díaz made headlines on Tuesday evening at Dana White’s Contender Collection 86, delivering what many are calling one of the vital devastating knockouts within the present’s historical past. The 27-year-old Lux Combat League champion grew to become the primary fighter ever to attain a spinning again elbow knockout in DWCS historical past, ending South Korean veteran Gained Il Kwon with simply two seconds remaining within the second spherical.
Spinning Again Elbow Knockout
The knockout itself left viewers throughout social media surprised, with many commenting on the audible influence of the strike. Followers reported listening to the elbow join from throughout the sector, with one observer noting it “sounded just like the crack of a Kendo Stick in WWE.” The sharp crack of bone assembly cranium reverberated by means of the UFC Apex, creating an immediately viral second that caught the eye of ESPN’s SportsCenter.
Díaz, who entered the battle with a 14-1-1 document and an eight-fight successful streak, had been learning his opponent all through the bout. The Peruvian-born fighter, who fights out of Tijuana, Mexico, demonstrated persistence and tactical consciousness earlier than capitalizing on Kwon’s tendency to duck his head throughout exchanges. In a post-fight interview, Díaz revealed he had been working towards the spinning elbow method in each placing session, stating he makes an attempt the transfer each time he sees a gap.
Won Il Kwon, nicknamed “Pretty Boy,” brought significant credentials to the matchup. The 30-year-old South Korean had competed in ONE Championship for six years, the place he achieved 9 knockout victories and as soon as challenged for the ONE Bantamweight Championship. Kwon entered DWCS following a first-round TKO loss to Fabrício Andrade in his most up-to-date ONE Championship bout earlier in 2025. Regardless of being favored by bookmakers at roughly 6-to-4 odds, Kwon discovered himself on the mistaken finish of a highlight-reel end that may possible outline each fighters’ careers.
The spinning back elbow has emerged as 2025’s most devastating development in blended martial arts. Earlier this yr, Lerone Murphy shocked Aaron Pico’s UFC debut with the same method at UFC 319, whereas Diego Lopes earned a $100,000 bonus for his spinning elbow knockout of Jean Silva at Noche UFC in September. Carlos Prates additionally scored a spinning elbow knockout towards Geoff Neal on the identical UFC 319 card, incomes each fighters Efficiency of the Evening bonuses.
Dana White’s visible reaction to Díaz’s finish highlighted the significance of the moment. The UFC president, known for his animated responses to spectacular knockouts, was seen standing and smiling in disbelief as the referee waved off the contest. White later confirmed that Díaz would receive a UFC contract, making him one of five fighters signed from the final episode of DWCS Season 9.
The knockout came at the perfect time for Díaz, who had been building momentum as the bantamweight champion of Mexico’s Lux Fight League. His victory over José Roura in December 2023 to capture the LFL title demonstrated his finishing ability and set the stage for his DWCS appearance. Díaz’s well-rounded skill set, honed through kickboxing and wrestling training from a young age, made him a dangerous opponent for any bantamweight on the regional scene.
Season 9 of Dana White’s Contender Series concluded with unprecedented violence, breaking the record for most finishes in the show’s history with 36 stoppages across 10 weeks. Díaz’s spinning elbow knockout served as the exclamation point on what many consider the most entertaining season yet, with five fighters earning contracts on the final episode alone.
The aftermath of the knockout saw immediate social media reaction, with the UFC’s official accounts sharing slow-motion replays and celebrating the historic nature of the finish. TikTok videos of the knockout quickly went viral, with fans marveling at both the technique and the audible impact that made the strike so memorable.
The victory also holds special significance for Mexican mixed martial arts. Díaz becomes another Mexican fighter to earn a UFC contract through impressive performances, adding to the country’s growing representation in the world’s premier MMA organization.
