Toshiomi Kazama is in good spirits following his devastating KO loss at UFC Vegas 109.
Five finishes took place from the UFC Apex on Saturday night, none as bad as 22-year-old Elijah Smith’s ‘Rampage’ Jackson-style slam knockout on the prelims.
UFC bantamweight Kazama refused to let go of a triangle choke he had on Smith as his opponent picked him up and slammed him on his head to the canvas. Smith landed two more punches on the already unconscious Kazama before the referee stopped the contest.
It took Kazama several minutes to get back up on his feet and he was later sent to the hospital, with his CT scans coming back negative.
We got another update from Kazama following the ‘KO of the year’ contender.
Toshiomi Kazama ‘glad to be alive’ after slam KO
Shortly after he was released from the hospital, Kazama was seen eating at a ‘Five Guys’ restaurant.
Kazama’s teammate relayed his post-fight message with a photo on Saturday night.
“Defeat at Five Guys,” said Kazama
“For now, I’m just really glad to be alive…” Kazama added.
With the loss, Kazama falls to 1-3 in the UFC. The Japanese fighter’s last win was exactly a year ago today, when he got a triangle choke submission over Charalampos Grigoriou.
Eryk Anders’ next fight could be his last after UFC Vegas 109 loss
UFC veteran Eryk Anders is on the verge of retirement after losing to Christian Leroy Duncan on the main card.
The former Alabama linebacker and ‘Cobra Kai’ actor suffered the second knockout loss of his 26-fight career at the hands (and spinning elbows) of Duncan.
Following his latest TKO win over former champion Chris Weidman, Anders said he only had a few fights in him before he calls it a career.
Prior to his fight with Duncan, Anders told MMA Junkie he has two fights left on his UFC contract, which means the 38-year-old’s next appearance will likely be his retirement fight after 13 years in the sport.