Marc Diakiese is special.
“Perfect” doesn’t do Diakiese’s professional record any justice because he’s not just stretching his win streak, he’s pulling off the spectacular in the process.
The 24-year-old didn’t quite pull off his ‘Mystic Marc’ prediction, having announced to the media ahead of his bout with Finland’s Teemu Packalen that he expected a first round spinning head kick knockout.
But it wasn’t for a want of trying in the O2 Arena as that was the very technique with which ‘Bonecrusher’ started his twelfth professional outing.
Packalen held firm under the initial flashiness but it wasn’t long before he was being stirred from unconsciousness.
OHHHH MYYYYYY!!!! @Marc_Diakiese STIFLES Packalen w/ a right hand in the FIRST ROUND! What. A. KO!!! #UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/c9wPu0j1uW
— UFC (@ufc) March 18, 2017
In what was essentially Diakiese’s first punch of the evening, he stiffened Packalen’s body with a counter right over the top.
The thud of Packalen’s head off the mat united the raucous crowd in one great groan before Diakiese treated himself to a backflip to release some of that pent-up energy.
That pushes Diakiese to 12-0 as a pro, 3-0 in the UFC and guarantees him a place on UFC highlight reels for years to come.
“I’ve been saying it all week and I’ll say it again,” Diakiese said after his win. “That was easy work. I’m one of the best and I will keep proving it.
“I’m training at one of the best gyms and I just keep proving that I am one of the best out there. I want to be fighting on the main card next. Being on the prelims is no good for me. I want to be fighting bigger names.
“I’m interested in fighting on the Sweden card in May and then put me on the Glasgow card in July. Whoever is next, I will be ready.”
Lightweight division, beware.
