5 of the best KOs this year, so far

4. Robbie Lawler vs. Niko Price - UFC 290

Robbie Lawler received a sendoff of a lifetime at the recently concluded UFC 290, but not before writing a fairytale ending to his decorated MMA career. 

Lawler delivered a ‘ruthless’ knockout for the last time inside the octagon by finishing Niko Price in just 38 seconds. 

Price is well-known for quick starts and he followed the same gameplan this time around, only to backfire massively. Lawler immediately closed the distance. The finishing sequence started with a flurry of punches that took the fans back to many of his iconic performances, including the historic one against Rory MacDonald that was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. 

Ultimately, a series of left hooks followed by a left uppercut brought down Price to the mat, sealing a storybook retirement for Robbie Lawler. 

As Lawler walked away from his fallen prey, the T-Mobile Arena crowd erupted in cheers and chants. MMA fighters and professionals also took to social media to shower him with congratulations.

The UFC queued up a highlight tribute video for Lawler, which undoubtedly left many eyes teary, including Lawler’s. A usually stoic Lawler did not shy away from showing his emotions for once and thanked his fans for more than two decades of support.

“It was good. It was just the ending of the career. I was landing some big shots in good places, temples, chin. It was too much. I was moving well. It’s nice to end my career like this. Thank you for the years of support,” Lawler said about his retirement at the post-fight octagon interview with Joe Rogan. “I’ve had a long career. I’ve had a lot of people help me get to where I am today and without them, none of them was possible. Blessed. I’m grateful.”

Lawler ended his career with a 30-16 record, including 22 knockouts. He had been a stalwart in the industry since the early days of the UFC and was undoubtedly the inspiration behind many next-generation fighters taking up their fighting gloves.