Overview

• Smith countered a triangle choke by hoisting Toshiomi Kazama and delivering a powerbomb that rendered him unconscious at 4:10 of Round 1 at UFC Vegas 109.
• The rare slam knockout, one of only a handful in UFC history, secured Smith a $50,000 Performance of the Night award.
• Kazama was transported to a Las Vegas hospital for CT scans and released hours later after doctors confirmed no serious injury.
• Fighters and fans likened the finish to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s iconic slams while criticising referee Chris Tognoni for allowing two follow-up strikes after Kazama lost consciousness.
• The 22-year-old Smith improved to 2-0 in the UFC and 9-1 overall and is now poised to enter the bantamweight rankings.